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This accounted for more than half of the total newly registered and increased capital in the country. Japan keen to investment in Vietnam increase Over the years, Vietnam has always been regarded as an attractive destination for Japanese investors because of its political stability, open investment environment and abundant labour force. However, Co - chairman of the Vietnam Japan Economic Committee, Kyohei Takahashi, said Vietnam needed to improve its business environment and the competitiveness of the national economy in order to attract new inflows of foreign investment, including that from Japan. Japanese investors need legal assistance for their business operations and they are also concerned with living conditions when they decide to invest in new land, he noted. The MPI and the Japanese Ministry of Economics, Commerce and Industry have selected five areas for cooperation in implementing Vietnams industrialisation strategy within the Vietnam - Japan cooperation framework through 2020. According to the strategy, Vietnam will create specific policies to call for investment from Japanese businesses to help develop support industries in Vietnam. MPI Minister Bui Quang Vinh said: In addition to industrial parks exclusively for Japanese businesses, we want to build special villages for Japanese residents in Vietnam. Our

aim is to create favourable business and good working environments for Japanese investors to promote further Vietnam-Japan cooperation.

An economic delegation from the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) will visit Vietnam from September 23-26 to look for investment and cooperation opportunities in various fields. The 100-member delegation led by JCCI Chairman Tadashi Okamura includes representatives and leaders from major Japanese groups such as All Nippon Airways, Atena, Honda Motor, Itochu, Marubeni, Mitsui, Sumitomo and Taiheiyo Cement.

Japanese investors are also keen to invest in Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects for developing infrastructure and energy in Vietnam, which is one of the important contents of the VietnamJapan joint initiative. Japan is a major investor in Vietnam and its ODA funding is mainly allocated to infrastructure development projects. The MPI said if Japan combined private capital sources with its government ODA investment in Vietnamese infrastructure, Japanese funded projects would be more efficient, particularly as Vietnam was beginning to implement some trial projects following the PPP model. Vietnam Investment Review The sturgeon development project is granted license in Binh Dinh A project of Russian sturgeon centre in the village of K3, Vinh Son, Vinh Thanh district has lately been granted investment certificate. It is

Apart from promoting cooperation with Vietnam in traditional areas such as infrastructure development and energy, small and medium-sized Japanese businesses are particularly eager to invest in support industries. According to the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), Japan remained the biggest investor among the 29 nations and territories having newly licenced investment projects in Vietnam during the past eight months with $4.33 billion in registered capital.

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invested by Vietnam-Binh Dinh Russian sturgeon Company Limited, with a capital of almost VND 297 billion.

Quang Ngai in review of investment promotion work in 2006 - 2011 In the morning of September 18th, the Peoples Committee of Quang Ngai held the conference to review the investment promotion work in the province area, period 2006-2011 with the participation of Mr. Cao Khoa Chairman of the PPC, Mr. Pham Nhu So Vice Chairman of the PPC, representatives of related departments, agencies, localities and enterprises.

At the conference, participants also provided chances to point out some shortcomings and inadequacies in investment promotion in the province in recent years as well as propose recommendations and solutions for the improvement.

With the aim to improve the meal quality of the Vietnamese, from June 2009, the Vietnam Sturgeon Company started to provide sturgeon products to the market. In 2011, the Vietnam-Binh Dinh Sturgeon Company started 77,000 sturgeons in 120 experimental cages with the average growth of 3 kg/ sturgeon/ year. Given that early success, the company has expected to build 1,100 cages with 1,100 tons of fish every year and run a factory producing 19 tons of black caviar and processing frozen sturgeon products with capacity of 113 tonnes/year. About 100,000 to 300,000 breed sturgeons will be produced every year. According to Mr. Nguyen Ba Phuong, The CEO of the company, Vinh Thanh district has the weather suitable for the growth of sturgeons, which makes the project very feasible. IPC Binh Dinh

In 2012-2015 period, the province strives to attract US $5.5 8.5 billion of investment capital, including US $4-7 billion from Dung Quat EZ, US $500 million from industrial parks, and about US $1 billion from the remaining industrial parks. Speaking at the conference, Chairman Cao Khoa affirmed that Quang Ngai would create the best favorable conditions for investors in production and trading in the province. In the time to come, the departments and local authorities were asked to focus on implementing administrative procedure reform, improving the investment environment, and creating open investment environment in order to promote investment attraction, especially FDI capital. quangngai.gov.vn

Reportedly, the investment promotion work in the past time has achieved certain results. Of which, 274 projects were granted investment certificates with the total registered investment capital of VND 104, 276 billion. Some big projects that were attracted investment in the period 2006-2011 are Quang Lian Steel (US $3 billion), Doosan Vina Heavy Industries Plant (US $300 million), Dakdrinh hydropower plant (VND 3,423), etc., contributing to the socio-economic development and creating jobs for hundred thousands of laborers in the province.

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Success in organizing the Training course on Strengthening the skills and knowledge to promote foreign investment - Year 2012 for Central Vietnam On Sep 27, at Danang city, The Investment Promotion Center for Central Vietnam (IPCC), an unit of Foreign Investment Agency (FIA) Ministry Planning and Investment (MPI) organized a training course on "Strengthening the skills and knowledge on foreign investment, which attracted the participation of leaders, officials and experts from relevant departments and enterprises in Central region.

relatively practical training program, adhering to investment promotion activities of Central Vietnam provinces, including some new topics and lectures such as: Report on "The requirements and methods to improve the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI)" presented by Mr. Anh Tuan, Deputy Head of Legal Department VCCI.

approaching FDI investors more strongly and effectively.

In addition, the lectures and trainees met and exchanged with a team of professors and 40 students coming from Ngee Ann Polytechnic University (Singapore) led by Dr. Shireen Kaw to learn about busisness and investment climate in Central Vietnam. Report on "The skills on building investment promotion tools (brochure, reports, DVD, Website, etc) presented by Mr. Jean Marie Balogh - Art Director of Kumo Design Ltd (Japan). This lecture attracted most of participants, helped them get new ideas, solutions in the process of building investment promotion documents and publications. The training course also involved the lecture of Mr. Do Xuan Nam Senior Official of Investment Monitoring and Evaluation Department (MPI), presenting skills on formulating, monitoring and evaluating projects. After each lecture, the trainees reciprocated together, lively debated and made real situations about investment promotion practices. Businesses also look forward to such training courses, aiming to provide knowledge and soft skills for IPCC Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) delegation visited Da Nang city and Phu Yen province in order to survey about foreign direct investment attraction situation From 11 to 13 Sep, 2012, Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) delegation, led by Mr. Nguyen Noi - Deputy Director General of Foreign Investment Agency, visited Da Nang city and Phu Yen province in order to survey about foreign direct investment attraction situation in these localities. At Danang, the delegation was presided over by the vice - chairman of the Danang Peoples Committee Phung Tan Viet along with representatives of the Department of Planning and Investment, Natural Resources and Environment, Science

Dr. Do Nhat Hoang, Director General of Foreign Investment Agency attended and gave an opening remarks. Subsequently, he had an important overview presentation about foreign direct investment in Vietnam and the central region in the past 25 years. The presentation included insightful analysis of the positive contribution of FDI, weaknesses, limits, suggested orientations and solution aiming at strengthening the efficiency of foreign investment promotion. This year, in the spirit of unity with the localities, IPCC launched a

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and Technology, Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the management boards of industrial zones, export processing zone, high - tech zone and some foreign typical companies.

According to its report, in the decade from 2001to 2011, Da Nang had attracted 183 FDI projects with a total registered capital of U.S. $ 3 billion from 30 oversea countries and territories. The average investment capital scale is U.S. $ 16.4 million per/project. There are 124 projects outside industrial zones with a total capital of U.S. $ 2.425 billion, accounting for 80.8% and other 59 projects in industrial zones, accounting for 19.2%. They are mainly invested in real estate business (mainly real estate tourism), industrial processing, manufacturing, education, textile, health care, information technology. There are 24 real estate investment projects with a total registered capital of $ 2.1 billion, accounting for 70% of total investment capital. In Phu Yen, the Vice ChairmanNguyen Ngoc An said they have issued licenses for 07 new foreign investment projects with a total registered capital of U.S. $ 33.7 million since 2011. Until now, Phu

Yen has had 41 existing projects with a total registered foreign direct investment capital of U.S. $ 6418.295 million from 18 countries and territories. They are mainly invested in areas including: three agriculture projects with a total capital of U.S. $ 6.124 million, two forestry projects with a total capital of U.S. $ 24.268 million, four aquatic projects with a total capital of U.S. $ 30,310 million, twenty industrial- construction projects with total investment capital of U.S $ 1,856,20 million and twelve tourism service projects with a total investment capital of U.S. $ 4,501.38 million. About investment form, there have been 34 projects with 100% foreign owned company, with a total registered capital of U.S. $ 6346.7 million and 07 projects with a total registered capital of U.S. $ 71.428 million invested in the joint ventures form Through the survey, it was found that the FDI projects had specifically contributed to economic growth and budget revenues, created jobs for local people and promoted the rapid process of modernization and industrialization in localities. However, most of investment projects are small scale, not many projects in the high technology, resource technology and supporting industry fields due to the impact of the global economic crisis. Some projects have been revoked license because of no operation or no effect. In Da Nang, the compensation clearance and coordination between Departments in the issue of license

was considered a bright spot in the past time. Phu Yen province is leading on registered investment capital in Central Vietnam. However, poor transportation infrastructure is one of the main reasons that made the project deployment slow. Deputy Director General Nguyen Noi has recorded and committed to submit recommendations of these localities to the leadership of the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Government in order to take the appropriate measures for improving the investment climate, the mechanism, laws and policies. Thence, the localities can attract more and more FDI in the potential region. IPCC

Vietnam an attractive destination for German investors Vietnam is an attractive and reliable investment destination for German businesses, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh has said.

The minister made the statement at the Vietnam - Germany Trade-

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Investment Forum opened in Frankfurt/Main, Germanys State of Hessen, on Sept. 19. The one-day forum, jointly held by the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry and the Hessen States authorities, the Frankfurt Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the East Asia Association, Deutch Bank and the World University Service, focused on the potentials and chances for the development of infrastructure, finance and industry in Vietnam.

At his talks with Minister Minh, Hessen State Governor Bouffier pledged to encourage local businesses to invest in Vietnam. He said he hopes the Vietnamese businesses will choose Frankfurt as a destination for investment. Regarding recent complications in the East Sea between China and neighboring countries, he urged all concerned parties to solve the issues peacefully and create favourable conditions for long-term and effective investment. Minister Minh affirmed Vietnams policy of solving disputes by peaceful measures, on the basis of respecting international law. vov.vn

Minister Minh also called on the two countries to further strengthen cooperation, pledging that the Vietnamese Government will improve investment environment to create favourable conditions for foreign investors, including German ones, to do long-term, effective and sustainable business in Vietnam. He stressed that the establishment of the Vietnam Germany strategic partnership is creating a new impulse for the two countries economic cooperation. Other delegates expressed hopes that the forum will have a positive impact on cooperation fields in the future, thus helping bring the Vietnam Germany ties to a new height.

Foreign investment in the first 9 months of 2012: Japanese investment confirmed its No. 1 position in Vietnam With a total newly and additional registered investment capital of US$ 4.677 million (with 203 newlyregistered projects and 82 projects with additional capital), Japan is No. 1 on the list of foreign investors in Vietnam, accounting for 49% of the registered capital in 9 months of 2012. Until now, Japan has invested in 1,758 projects with a total registered capital of US$28.6 billion (capturing 13.7% of the registered capital), ranked first in 96 countries and territories investing in Vietnam.

From the beginning of 2012, the projects of Japan was launched as Project Tokyu Binh Duong Urban Area, Bridgestone tire Co.,Ltd in Hai Phong, Oshima Shipbuilding Khanh Hoa, Shimizu Corp cooperating with N&G to develop supporting industrial zone, Sumitomo opening workshop at the Thang Long industrial park to assist small and medium enterprises in Japan, etc. Some industrial companies also announced the opening of the plants in 2012 as door-frame factory of JS Group, lens production of Tamron, lubricant production of Nippon Oil, manufacturing of iron and steel structure and bridges of MES, rare earth recycle and production of silicon materials from Shin-Etsu. Aeon Corporation (Asia's largest retail corporation) was granted the investment license from July, 2011 with a total investment capital of US$109 million. The goal of building the first shopping center in Ho Chi Minh City which expected to operate officially in 2014 was quickly implemented. Mr. Nishitohge Yasuo, CEO of Aeon Vietnam said: "Having recognized the potential for economic development as well as the consumption growth of the

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Vietnamese market, we do not hesitate to make a investment decision." Not only ranking first in direct investment in Vietnam, Japanese firms have actively promoted expansion of business, merger and acquisition (M&A) to expand the domestic market as Kirin Brewery, Asahi Breweries bought shares of SABECO, Nichirei Corporation purchased shares of Cholimex, Ezaki Glico corporation bought shares of the Kinh Do Group, etc. It is clear that since the beginning of 2012, the investment promotion activities between Vietnam and Japan have taken place continuously and vibrantly with the focus of the signing of the MoU on investment promotion between Ministry of Planning and Investment of Vietnam with Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) on Sep 25th, 2012 in Hanoi which showed potential of increase in Japanese investment into Vietnam. Beside the investment promotion activities at the national level, the localities actively launched the Janpanese investment promotion programs as Hai Duong (April, 2012), Quang Nam (May, 2012), Vinh Long, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Binh Dinh (Sep, 2012). In addition, a lot of investment promotion activities of JCCI, JETRO, Japan's localities and large corporations of Japan was held in Vietnam from early 2012 till now. Recently, the JCCI and VCCI organized a dialogue between the two countries enterprises. Speaking at the dialogue, Mr. Toshio

Nakamura, Managing Director of JCCI accessed that, the Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises used to invest outside the country in the same time with with large enterprises to establish a chain of supporting satellite companies. However, this trend has changed recently, the Japanese small and medium enterprises have been actively looking for partners and investment opportunities, and Vietnam is a fascinating place. Mr. Toshio Nakamura also emphasized that due to earthquake tsunami last year, a series of factories in Japan were severely damaged, production demand was not ensured. Therefore, in order to maintain the supply chain, the Japanese enterprises must seek, build factories in other countries, including Vietnam.

enthusiasm of Japanese enterprises in seeking opportunities this time is much higher. The abundant labor force, potential market make Vietnam become attractive to investors. The special interest of Japanese enterprises to Vietnam has had a long history rather than the tend to withdraw from the Chinese market due to the tension between Japan and China recently. As the speech of Mr. Tadasi Okamura, JCCI Chairman: "For Japanese investors, Vietnam is considered the gold address of investment attractiveness" mpi.gov.vn Foreign investment situation in the first 9 months of 2012 According to the report of the Foreign Investment Agency, Ministry of Planning and Investment, foreign direct investment in the first 9 months of 2012 has continued to have positive changes, although the socio-economic situation in the country has had many difficulties and challenges but realized investment capital of 9 months still reached US$ 8.1 billion (equaling 98.8% over the same period last year). In which, although the newlyregistered capital was only 61% over the same period, the additional registered capital increased by 7.2% over the same period. Another good sign is the export of foreign investment enterprises (excluding crude oil) increased by 37.9% over the same period, (including crude

According to the Japanese evaluation, comparing with seeking round for opportunities in 2008, so far, the investment environment in Vietnam has not had many differences. However, the attractiveness of the Vietnamese market with the Japanese firms has not been changed. The interest,

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oil) increased by 34.6% compared to the same period last year . By sectors: The processing, manufacturing sector continued to have the lead with 65% of the registered capital, the real estate sector ranked second accounting for 19% of the registered capital. The third is wholesale, retail and repair. Particularly, telecommunications attracted over US$400 million of registered capital, ranked fourth, accounted for 4.2%. By investment forms: investment in the form of 100% foreign capital still dominated with 646 new projects, 282 projects with additional capital, the total registered investment capital reached US$ 7.31 billion, accounting for 76.8%; Joint venture with 124 new projects, 28 projects with additional capital, the total registered investment capital reached USS$ 2.08 billion, capturing 21.8%. There were 5 new projects in the form of stock company. Others investment forms as BOT, BT have no licensed projects. By partners: There were 52 countries and territories investing in the first 9 months of 2012, led by Japan with 203 new projects, 82 projects with additional capital, the total registered investment capital obtained US$4,677 million, accounting for 49%; the second were Samoa with 04 new projects, 02 projects with additional capital, the total registered investment capital of US$ 889 million, making for 9.33%; the third were South Korea with 159 new projects, 57 projects with additional capital, the total registered

investment capital of US$ 711 million; followed by the British Virgin Islands with 14 new projects, 14 projects with additional capital, the total capital reached US$611 million; Singapore ranked fifth with 67 new projects, 33 projects with additional capital, the total registered investment capital of US$ 588 million. By areas: The areas with favorable conditions located in the key economic Southern and Northen region have the lead in attracting investment, Binh Duong ranked first (US$2,164 million of registered capital), Hai Phong ranked second (US$1,077 million of registered capital), the third were Dong Nai (US$991 million of registered capital), the fourth were Ho Chi Minh City (US$996 million of registered capital) and followed by Hanoi (US$954 million of registered capital) IPCC - FIA

showed keen interest in Long Thanh Airport and Thu Thiem New Urban Area, said the Lord Mayor of the City of London.

Many UK companies currently active in Vietnam are experienced in developing PPP projects abroad. They are operating in the fields of consultancy, technology, and project management, such as Foster + Partners, RICS Vietnam, Arup Vietnam, Knight Frank, and Savills Vietnam. Nevertheless, the legal framework for PPP must be perfected, a prerequisite for the UKbased firms to join such projects, stressed Wootton. Vietnam is an attractive destination for UK investors thanks to its large market with 90 million people and strong economic growth. However, the country needs to improve the legal system, reform State-owned enterprises and restructure the banking sector in order to lure investors, said the visiting Lord Mayor of London. Wootton is heading a business delegation to Vietnam from September 22 to 26. The main focus of the visit is to further develop bilateral trade and investment

UK investors need complete PPP legal framework: Mayor UK firms are eying projects under public-private partnership (PPP) form in Vietnam, but they will only participate in these projects when the legal framework for this format is completed, said the Lord Mayor of London. Speaking at a press briefing in HCMC on Wednesday, David Wootton said UK firms want to join PPP projects in Vietnam. They have

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opportunities between Vietnam and the UK.

UK companies highly appreciate the efforts of Vietnam to improve the investment environment as well as stabilize the economy. Nick Holder, chairman of the British Business Group Vietnam (BBGV), said Vietnam is one of the nations where UK investors are doing business well. As for the firms currently operating in Vietnam, they see the strengths and the positive supports of the Government, and they will carry on their businesses. But as for those intending to enter Vietnam, they often compare Vietnam with other countries in the region, so Vietnam has to try more attract these investors, said Holder. He was speaking on the sidelines of the signing ceremony for a memorandum of understanding between BBGV and the UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) in HCMC on Wednesday, under the witness of Lord Mayor David Wootton. Many big UK companies have invested in the financial sector in Vietnam, such as HSBC, Standard Chartered, and Prudential, along with those active in real estate, production and service.

However, Holder said the advantage of cheap labor cost will soon fade away once the living standard of citizens is improved, plus the competition with the emerging markets like Cambodia and Myanmar. Therefore, the Government should pay attention to infrastructure, intellectual property, technology, and high value-added sectors, considering them as the nations competitive advantages. Douglas Barnes, UK consulgeneral in HCMC, said UK investment in Vietnam had exceeded $3 billion. The two countries are aiming at a two-way trade of $4 billion in 2013, after achieving $3.5 billion in 2011. Saigontimes Online

develop this project while requested the project developer to choose capable conductors for the projects bidding contracts.

The groundbreaking ceremony of the Van Phong International Container Entrepot, which was scheduled in early 2008, was canceled after the local government of Khanh Hoa province proposed a huge steel project invested by Posco, a South Korean group in this area. This project was protested by experts and the people for the worry of possible environmental pollution caused by this steel plant. On October 31, 2008, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung refused this project, which is worth nearly US$10 billion, saying that the project may affect the future development of the Van Phong International Container Entrepot and harm the environment. Vietnamnet Vietnam Pledges to Create Favorable Conditions for German Investors Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung welcomes German Minister of

Vietnam Calls for Foreign Investors in Van Phong Port Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai has urged the Ministry of Transport to work out a plan on calling for foreign investors to invest in the construction of the Van Phong International Entrepot. According to the Government Office, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Finance, the Van Phong Economic Zone Management Board and related agencies will join hands to develop this plan. The Deputy PM also asked the Vietnam Shipping Lines Group, Vinalines, to raise capital and

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Economics and Technology Philipp Roesler, Ha Noi, September 18, 2012 Vietnam pledged to create favorable conditions for German investors, affirmed Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung during his reception for visiting German Minister of Economics and Technology Philipp Roesler on September 18. The Government chief highly evaluated the outcomes of the meetings between leaders of Vietnamese ministries and Minister Philipp Roesler who is now leading a business delegation to Vietnam to seek investment opportunities.

peaceful negotiations and on the basis of international law. For his part, Minister Philipp Roesler said his visit to Vietnam aims to boost the bilateral relations, particularly in economics, trade, investment, education and training. He stressed that Germany advocates Vietnam to enhance relations with the European Union as well as to accelerate the ratification of the Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement. Germany is also ready to cooperate with Vietnam in the fields of finance, science and technology, increase aid for Vietnam and step up the implementation of the joint projects, Mr Philipp Roesler said. vccinews.cm

PM Dung also affirmed support for the deployment of agreements reached by both sides, particularly in the fields of infrastructure development, trade and education. Germany is now involving in some mega projects like Ho Chi Minh Metro Line 2, German House, Vietnam-Germany University, and German International School. He also hoped that Germany would support the settlement of disputes in the East Sea through