Bac Ninh introduces its industrial infrastructure to investors in Europe

DNHN - A delegation of Vietnam’s Bac Ninh province led by its Vice-Chairman of the People's Committee, H.E. DAO Quang Khai, introduced the province's industrial infrastructure and vision for foreign investments at the business seminar held in Switzerland.

The seminar, organized by Bac Ninh People's Committee in collaboration with the Embassy of Vietnam in Switzerland, the Swiss-Vietnamese Business Gateway (SVBG) and the Swiss - Asian Chamber of Commerce (SACC), was held on August 29 with attendees representing more than 30 companies in Switzerland and neighboring countries such as Austria, Belgium, Germany and Italy, as well as business associations and universities in Switzerland.

Greeting the delegation of Bac Ninh province for visiting and having the working session in Zurich, the largest economic-financial center of Switzerland, Ambassador of Vietnam to Switzerland and Principality of Liechtenstein, H.E. PHUNG The Long said: “Today's seminar with the theme ‘Bac Ninh – Where to base your production in Viet Nam’ is an opportunity for leaders of Bac Ninh Province, one of Vietnam's leading localities in attracting foreign investment, and Swiss and neighboring businessmen to exchange information and share experiences to further promote trade and investment cooperation.”

Vice-Chairman DAO Quang Khai welcomed interested businesses attending the seminar to learn more about Bac Ninh, to seek and identify potentials and opportunities for cooperation and investment in Bac Ninh and Vietnam.

Introducing Bac Ninh, the Vice-Chairman emphasize that the province with the smallest area (823 km2) in Vietnam and a 1.5 million population has a particularly important position and role in the Capital Region and is one of the seven provinces constituting the Northern Economic Region of the country. Being adjacent to Hanoi capital, 32 km from Noi Bai International Airport and 90 km from Hai Phong seaport, Bac Ninh is very conveniently located for transportation and import-export of goods.

Over the last 25 years, Bac Ninh’s economy has achieved an average growth of 13.9% per year. Nowadays, Bac Ninh has become a high-tech industrial center with industry and construction accounting for 76.5% of its economy, and ranks high among the leading provinces and cities of Vietnam as assessed through several socio-economic indicators, such as:
- Manufacturing output ranks first, reaching 65 billion USD (in 2021);
- Export turnover recorded $45.1 billion, ranked second for 2022;
- Income per capita reached $6,900 in 2022, ranked 4th;
- Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) ranked 7th, Provincial Green Index (PGI) ranked 3rd, Satisfaction Index with Public Administration Services (SIPAS) ranked 7th in 2022.

"Having achieved the above results, we treasure the contribution of the FDI sector in the overall development of Bac Ninh province," said Mr. Dao Quang Khai.

By July 2023, Bac Ninh province has granted investment registration to 1,975 valid projects from 39 countries and territories, with a total registered capital of $24.44 billion, ranking 7th in the country in terms of accumulated foreign direct investment. Big corporations that have built factories in Bac Ninh include Samsung, Foxconn, Canon, PepsiCo, Amkor, GoerTek and Vietnam Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP). There are four (4) projects by three (3) renowned Swiss hi-tech manufacturers with a total investment of $109.34 million in the province, namely: ABB, which manufactures electricity distribution equipment and solutions; Sika, which produces additives for uses in construction; and Oerlikon, which specializes in metal engineering and coating.

Talking about his company’s success in Bac Ninh, Mr. Petr Valenta, ABB Global Product Line Manager for Compact Secondary Substations and Electrification Distrubution Solutions, said the reasons ABB chose to build its first factory in Bac Ninh in 2010 and expand it further in 2022 are:

• Geographical position with good infrastructure,
• Supplier base with international reputation,
• Strong support from local authorities,
• Competence supported by good education system.

Meanwhile, Mr. Marco Freidl, Head of Group Strategy & Business Development of Oerlikon Group, which opened a representative office in Hanoi in 2017 and built its first factory in Bac Ninh in 2019, has seen in Bac Ninh a strong production ecosystem that supports the Group’s connection with partners and customers.

A number of participants also shared their companies’ successful operations in Vietnam, particularly in the North thanks to the proximity to global seaports, such as DEEP C Industrial Zone Vietnam (Belgium) that operates industrial infrastructure, or DSV Air & Sea (Denmark) in transport and logistics sector.

The seminar also received Mr. Jamil Ahmad Mayo, CEO of Hitech Networks (Pvt) Ltd. (HNL), a Pakistani energy and telecommunications service provider with offices in 26 countries. Mr. Mayo said that he flew from Lahore to Zurich just to attend the Bac Ninh seminar to "learn from Bac Ninh and Vietnam about attracting and supporting foreign investors, then pass on these experiences to Pakistani government”.

Besides, audience was also concerned about the province’s human resources and incentives for green investments, and investments on climate-resistant infrastructure.

Vice Chairman Dao Quang Khai affirmed that although Bac Ninh's population is rather small, yet thanks to being close to Hanoi, Bac Ninh would benefit from the abundant and high-quality workforce trained by universities in the capital. On the other hand, Bac Ninh also has 6 universities and 58 colleges and vocational training centers which train every a considerable number of skilled labours. In the near future, Bac Ninh will establish a university village and boost vocational training to meet the high demand of investors.

The Vice-Chairman also said in the coming years his province wishes to welcome green investments and high-tech industries (energy batteries, semiconductors, chips...), supporting industries (auto parts...), 5G and 6G technology, clean and hi-tech agriculture, high-class commercial facilities (shopping, entertainment medical, and training centers), infrastructure and urban development, etc. which also bring about advanced management skills and know-how.

Bac Ninh gives priority to investments that qualify as "2 less, 3 high", meaning those which require less land use and labor force, yet entail high technology, investment rate and economic efficiency. The province is welcoming potential investors in a spirit of "4 readiness": ready to provide clean premises, ready to supply qualified work force, ready for reform and ready to support investors.
“We are also continuing to call for investments to turn Bac Ninh into a leading electronics manufacturing center in Vietnam, continuing to be the main driving force for economic growth with the Industrial and Hi-tech Development Zone that encompasses Yen Phong, Que Vo, Luong Tai, Thuan Thanh and Tien Du districts," said Vice-Chairman Dao Quang Khai.

Bac Ninh province currently has 16 industrial parks under 24 investment projects that build and develop industrial infrastructure with a total area of 6,398 ha. Among these, 16 estates have been put into operation, scoring an occupancy rate of 58.6%, and 8 projects are under construction. The industrial parks are equipped with synchronized and modern infrastructure. Social welfare has also been strengthened, ensuring the security of people and workers in the Industrial Zone.
Optimistic about potentials in Vietnam, Mr. Roger LEITNER, Chairman of the Vietnam Committee of the Swiss-Asia Chamber of Commerce (SACC), said: “I have joined a Swedish entrepreneur who co- founded MOBIFONE VIETNAM in the 1990s, creating a “unicorn” for and in Vietnam under the Swedish-Vietnamese partnership Comvik International Vietnam. This is a true testimonial that great things can be achieved and built in Vietnam.”

Ms. NGUYEN Thi Thuc, founding president of the Swiss-Vietnamese Business Gateway (SVBG), the key organizer of the seminar, said: “Bac Ninh is the second locality in Vietnam, after Da Nang, that has carried out investment promotion organized by the SVBG in Switzerland in 2023. Through our membership bases, media channels, social networks and international relations, SVBG and partners have introduced these promotional events widely to entrepreneurs, business support organizations, investment consulting firms and economic research organizations in Europe, bringing these localities closer to the business communities in Switzerland and neighboring countries. We are pleased to contribute to enhancing the image of Vietnam as an attractive destination for foreign investors.”

Xuan Cuong