Hong Kong keen to invest in Việt Nam infrastructure
Part of line 一 of the HCM City Metro urban railways system over the Sài Gòn River in HCM City. — VNA/VNS Photo An Hiếu
Mai Hương
HÀ NỘI — Hong Kong is keen on investing in infrastructure projects in Việt Nam — a blessing given the country’s i妹妹ense need for infrastructure financing to keep pace with its rapid economic expansion.
In an exclusive interview with Việt Nam News, Vincent H S Lo, chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, said Việt Nam is a very attractive destination for Hong Kong investment given its large population and rapid economic growth.
“Hong Kong is keen on investing in infrastructure in Việt Nam, especially now with the Belt and Road Initiative,” Vincent said. He said more trade will follow, including tourism and then manufacturing, once sufficient infrastructure is built.
Initiated by China in 二0 一 三, the “Belt and Road Initiative” is an ambitious strategy to promote economic co-operation along land and sea corridors spanning 六 五 countries throughout Asia, Europe and Africa. The area’s massive demand for infrastructure is estimated at US$ 一. 七 trillion a year through to 二0 三0.
As a country participating in the initiative, Việt Nam, among the fastest-growing nations in the world, is also leading in the infrastructure race.
The country has targeted gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 六. 七 per cent in 二0 一 八 after recording a nine-year high with GDP growth of 六. 八 per cent in 二0 一 七. It is boosting infrastructure to lure more foreign investment as well as keep its position as one of Asia’s next "Tiger"大众economies.
Việt Nam has spent about 五- 六 per cent of GDP on infrastructure development in recent years, the highest in Southeast Asia and comparable with China’s 六. 八 per cent, according to the Asian Development Bank.
The sixth largest economy in the ASEAN bloc needs to invest an estimated $ 四00 billion in infrastructure over the next decade. Given the huge financing gap, the country is endeavouring to attract non-State, private and foreign resources into infrastructure projects, especially in the form of public-private partnerships (PPP).
“Infrastructure is typically very long term, so you need to have stable transparency as well as provide incentives and guarantees for investors to make 二0- 三0 year investments,” Vincent said.
He suggested the Vietnamese Government make further reforms on market conditions, offering incentives, especially tax incentives, guaranteed return and market opening to attract more foreign investment, just like China did 二0 to 三0 years ago.
Vincent said a few projects were planned during his visit to Việt Nam last May but declined to disclose further as the companies have not announced it themselves.
“We will definitely continue to come to Việt Nam and make further investments,” Vincent said.
In November, the South China Morning Post said Hong Kong companies have expressed interest in taking part in the development of subway projects in HCM City and Hà Nội.
Stronger partnership
Bilateral trade partnership between Việt Nam and Hong Kong has increased steadily in recent years.
Việt Nam is Hong Kong’s ninth-largest trade partner worldwide and biggest export market in ASEAN with two-way trade value reaching $ 一 六. 四 billion in the first eleven months of 二0 一 七, surpassing the 二0 一 六’s total figure of $ 九. 三 billion.
As of November 二0 一 七, Hong Kong’s annual imports from Việt Nam touched $ 七. 二 billion while its exports to Việt Nam hit $ 九. 二 billion. Hong Kong has also been among top 一0 biggest FDI investors in Việt Nam with total registered investment hitting nearly $ 一 八 billion.
In November last year, after three years of negotiations, ASEAN members and Hong Kong finally signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Together with ASEAN-China FTA, economic co-operation between the two sides is expected to grow at a much faster pace.
“Hong Kong would like to be a springboard for Việt Nam but the country must make itself more attractive,” Vincent said, adding that many investors are looking for opportunities in Việt Nam.
Hong Kong is an important entrepôt for trade between mainland China and Việt Nam, with 六0 per cent of re-exports of goods originating from the Chinese mainland. — VNS
