Can Tho to call for investment in 54 projects worth US$5.4 billion

The Mekong Delta city of Can Tho will organize an investment promotion conference with the aim of calling on potential investors to develop 54 projects worth VND124 trillion, or US$5.4 billion.

Vo Thanh Thong (standing), chairman of the People’s Committee of Can Tho City, speaks at a press briefing on the 2018 Investment Promotion Conference – PHOTO: HUYNH KIM

The People’s Committee of Can Tho City held a press briefing today, August 1, to give insights into the 2018 Investment Promotion Conference, titled, “Share potential to grow together.”

Regarding the selection of the theme for the conference, Vo Thanh Thong, chairman of Can Tho City, told the Saigon Times that the entire Mekong Delta will develop if the city grows, thereby contributing to the growth of the country.

Thong asserted that in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, traditional business philosophies – “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together” – are emerging as meaningful and sustainable concepts.

Nguyen Khanh Tung, director of the Can Tho Promotion Agency, announced at the press briefing that the conference is expected to take place on August 10. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and representatives of ministries, central agencies, major companies and international organizations, as well as some 500 local and foreign companies will attend the event.

It is aimed at highlighting socioeconomic achievements, potential, investment opportunities and supporting policies of the city.

Besides this, the major event is expected to create opportunities for investors and international agencies to meet the local authorities, and provide them with a list of potential projects.

Chairman Thong stressed that the municipal government will introduce 54 projects in the key fields of services, high-efficiency agriculture and technological science at the upcoming conference.

He added that the conference will have three rounds of discussion and experience consultancy to develop the city in these fields.

Tung noted that the 54 projects will cover a total area of 4,780 hectares. They are related to the construction of infrastructure facilities for hi-tech agriculture, industrial parks and clusters; information technology; logistics and energy; tourism infrastructure; real estate and transport; and culture, sports and healthcare.

“Investors have so far expressed their interest in 44 out of the 54 projects. Among these, the investors are ready to execute 22 projects, worth some VND82 trillion, right away if their legal and promotion procedures are in place,” Thong said.

The local government will award investment registration certificates to 10 projects worth more than VND11.6 trillion (US$499 million), including a general hospital, a golf course complex and an urban and entertainment area.

At least 412 projects are underway in the Mekong Delta city, capitalized at a combined VND81.1 trillion (US$3.5 billion). Among these, foreign investors have injected some US$656.7 million into 76 projects in the seafood processing, trade, textile-garment production and real estate trading sectors.

Huynh Kim