81 foreign direct investment projects
Ms. Nguyen Thi Kieu Duyen - Director of the Can Tho Center for Investment, Trade and Exhibition Promotion (CPA) - commented that in 2024, CPA effectively implemented investment and trade promotion programs; contributing significantly to promoting the socio-economic development of Can Tho City.
However, Ms. Duyen said that despite certain achievements, Can Tho's investment attraction work is still limited. The main reason is that the scale of promotion activities is still small, the funding source is not strong enough, especially in export promotion programs. This affects the ability to promote the local image and compete with other provinces and cities.
According to the Can Tho City Statistics Office, the city's economy will face some difficulties in 2024. Investment projects have not been completely resolved, leading to ineffective exploitation of investment resources. Promotion work to call for and attract non-budgetary resources is low, especially attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and production and business projects in industrial parks.
Total social investment capital at current prices is estimated at over VND30,054 billion, up 5.35% over the same period in 2023, of which non-state capital increased by 31.30%. The city has implemented many synchronous measures to speed up the progress of works and projects.
In 2024, Can Tho attracted 3 FDI projects with registered capital of 0.62 million USD; increased capital of 1 project (increased capital of 0.36 million USD); terminated 2 projects (registered capital of 12.15 million USD). Up to now, the city has 81 FDI projects with total registered investment capital of more than 2.219 billion USD.
Prioritizing industries to lead the 4.0 revolution
CPA Director Nguyen Thi Kieu Duyen informed that in 2025, CPA will continue to promote investment and trade associated with the socio-economic development orientation and planning of Can Tho City for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050.
Regarding investment promotion, CPA will diversify methods, especially focusing on promoting on-site investment. The city will prepare clean land, technical infrastructure, preferential policies and high-quality human resources.
In addition to maintaining relations with traditional partners such as Japan, South Korea, China, Singapore, the US, the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Poland, Can Tho will expand investment promotion to member countries of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).
In particular, the city prioritizes attracting investment in industries leading the 4.0 industrial revolution such as: Information and communication technology, nanotechnology, high technology, supporting industry; highly efficient agricultural production, technology application and sustainable development.
CPA will leverage international relationships and cooperation programs to promote investment, focusing on reaching out to transnational companies and strategic investors from Asia and Europe.
Regarding trade promotion, CPA will promote e-commerce application, enhance promotion of potential, products, businesses and investment policies, support businesses in finding and expanding markets. CPA will also promote participation in fairs and exhibitions; organize training courses for businesses and trade promotion staff.
With synchronous and drastic solutions, Can Tho City expects to achieve positive results in attracting investment and trade in 2025, contributing to the city's socio-economic development.
