During a meeting on November 3 between Mr. Nguyen Van Duoc, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, and H.E. Ms. Urawadee Sriphiromya, Ambassador of Thailand to Vietnam, and a delegation of Thai businesses operating in Vietnam, the Thai ambassador stated that Ho Chi Minh City, since its merger with the former provinces of Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau, has become Thai investors' largest investment destination, in terms of population and territory, in Vietnam, with engagement of Thailand's leading groups like SCG, Central Group, BIJ, Siam City Cement, alongside 4 major commercial banks, among many others operating in the sectors of energy, retails, logistics, and healthcare.
"Thai businesses see significant investment potential in Ho Chi Minh City, particularly in high-end services, logistics, and healthcare," the Ambassador said. "A major Thai retail group is also working with the city to build a new high-end shopping center."
Speaking at the meeting, Ms. Somhatai Panichewa, Amata's representative in Vietnam, stated that the Group is researching a proposal to invest in a new industrial park in the Chau Duc area (formerly Ba Ria - Vung Tau, now part of Ho Chi Minh City) with a minimum total investment of $180 million, focusing on high-tech industries, logistics, and smart urban areas.
"We have collaborated with Japanese partners to complete a master plan and feasibility report," she added. "If approved by Ho Chi Minh City, Amata is ready to present details and immediately implement the project."
With Amata's investment proposal, Mr. Duoc said that this project aligns with the city's industrial-logistics development plan and he assigned the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Finance to directly work with the group to review, guide the process, and quickly complete the documentation.
According to Mr. Nguyen Van Duoc, following the merger with the former provinces of Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Ho Chi Minh City is vigorously expanding its development space, with Binh Duong expected to be an industrial center, and Ba Ria - Vung Tau to become a marine economic growth pole, focusing on energy, petrochemicals, and logistics; while the central area of Ho Chi Minh City is planned to become a financial and digital economy center.
"If nothing changes, the Ho Chi Minh City international financial center will be officially established in November," Mr. Duoc said.
According to Mr. Duoc, the city has attracted $2 billion in FDI capital to its digital economy sector. This, he said, demonstrates Ho Chi Minh City's increasing attractiveness in the digital transformation and Industry 4.0 era.
He also affirmed that the city considers businesses' success as its own and businesses' difficulties as its challenges. "Ho Chi Minh City always accompanies, shares, and wants to attract more Thai investors, including Amata, to explore and invest in the new city."
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