Hanoi (VNA) ౠ– Hanoi is the leading locality nationwide in foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction, drawing over 810 million USD from 110 newly-licensed and capital-added FDI projects in the first quarter of this year, a five-fold increase year-on-year.

Late last month, representatives from the municipal People’s Committee granted an investment certificate to Samsung Electronics Vietnam under the Samsung Group to build a research centre in Hoang Mai district. The 300-million-USD project aims to research and develop electronics and high-tech telecommunication products. It is expected to create about 4,000 jobs and significantly contribute to the city’s export turnover. Previously, Japan’s AEON Group launched its AEON Mall commercial centre in Long Bien district, with a total investment of 200 million USD. Including various works such as shopping centres, hotels, restaurants, entertainment centres, and offices for lease, the project has become an attractive destination for locals, serving about 60,000 visitors a day. In recent years, Hanoi’s investment climate has improved, contributing to attracting more foreign investment. Last year, the city lured 1,637 FDI projects worth 7.5 billion USD from 72 countries and territories, ranking third nationwide. Foreign-invested enterprises contributed about 15 percent to the city’s total investment of all sectors, accounting for the highest export-turnover proportion (about 49.5 percent) among economic sectors. Many projects helped provide high-quality products and services. Municipal authorities have taken a series of measures to better the local business climate and facilitate enterprises’ production and business. IT applications were promoted to simplify administrative procedures related to taxes and business registration, helping businesses save time and expenses. Many dialogues between city leaders and representatives from foreign businesses were also arranged. Meanwhile, investment and tourism promotion conferences were held.-VNA