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Japan remains Vietnam’s largest investor
Japan remains Vietnam’s largest foreign investor with newly licensed projects in the country in the first four months of the year worth US$2.36 billion, or 76.2 percent of the total figure, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).
Japan has had 55 investment projects in Vietnam so far, the GSO reported.
As of April 20, foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam was worth some $4.26 billion, down by 31.5 percent compared to the same period last year, GSO figures show.
FDI disbursement in the year to date was around $3.6 billion, down by 0.3 percent year on year.
The manufacturing industry takes the lead of the sectors which attract the most investment with $2.37 billion, followed by the real-estate sector, which has attracted a total registered capital of $1.57 billion.
Binh Duong tops the list of localities with the highest registered FDI -- $1.58 billion, 75 percent of which is accounted for by the Tokyu urban area project.
The southern province is followed by northern Hai Phong and Quang Ninh provinces, with $664.3 million, and $347.4 million, respectively.
Investment flow from Japan
Many Japanese leading retailers have been actively pushing their entrance into the Vietnamese market, at a time when domestic consumption in Japan is slow.
Typical representatives for this trend are the Takashimaya, and Aeon Co Ltd, both amongst Japan’s leading retailers.
Takashimaya has recently completed necessary procedures to lease a 15,000-square-meter space at a prime location in Ho Chi Minh City downtown for its luxury supermarket, while the latter announced in March the construction project of its very first trade center in Vietnam -- the US$109-million Aeon-Tan Phu Celadon in HCMC’s Tan Phu District.
In the realty sector, Japanese investors are starting to enter the Vietnamese market, especially office buildings, residential areas and industrial properties, after a period of exploration.
One good example is the US$1.2 billion Tokyu Binh Duong Garden City project which got off the ground in mid-March, and is expected to cover 71 hectares in Binh Duong New City, with space for entertainment, commerce and offices as well as some 7,500 housing units.
Other notable players include Sojitz Corporation, Daiwa House Industry Co Ltd, and Kobelco Eco-Solution Co Ltd, which have joined hand with Vietnam’s Donafood to develop the Long Duc Industrial Park in Dong Nai.
With the combined stake of 88 percent in the joint venture, the Japanese companies and the local partner will invest US$100 million in the 281-hectare industrial estate.
Japanese investors are also arriving to acquire shares in local companies, such as the confectionery firm Ezaki Glico Co, which bought 14 million shares, or 10 percent of Kinh Do Corporation.
Similarly, Japan’s Mizuho Corporate Bank Ltd also expects to complete the disbursement of over US$567 million under its deal to acquire a 15 percent stake in Vietcombank.
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