The newly consolidated Ho Chi Minh City Export Processing Zones and Industrial Parks (HCMC EPZs & IPs) aim to attract $3.73 billion in new and adjusted investments in 2025. Of this, the former HCMC EPZs and IPs are projected to attract $600 million; the former Ba Ria-Vung Tau IPs are expected to draw $1.88 billion; and the former Binh Duong IPs are forecast to attract $1.25 billion.

According to Mr. Le Van Thinh, Head of the HCMC EPZs and IPs Authority (HEPZA), the international economic landscape continues to be volatile with ongoing conflicts, trade tensions, global supply chain restructuring trends, and increasing trade protectionist policies. This environment leads investors to adopt a wait-and-see approach, awaiting decisions from major countries before planning their projects.

Therefore, to achieve the set targets, the HCMC’s IPs need to clearly define key tasks that both inherit previous efforts and meet the requirements for transforming the development model of EPZs and IPs in the coming period.

“Specifically, we need to focus on solutions to attract foreign direct investment (FDI), paying attention to domestic investment, prioritizing high-tech and environmentally friendly projects; accelerating administrative procedure reforms; and supporting businesses,” Mr. Thinh stated.

Mr. Le Van Thinh also noted that IPs should selectively attract investment, focusing on high-tech, high-value-added projects with spillover effects in fields such as microchip and semiconductor manufacturing, biotechnology, renewable energy, data centers, and research and development (R&D). This particularly applies to projects not affected by trade tariffs, such as software services and data centers.

IPs need to proactively monitor and support the procedures for large projects already proposed by investors in the area, as well as potential investors currently in the site survey phase. They should implement a special investment procedure mechanism that allows for the integration of investment, construction, environmental, and fire prevention and fighting procedures into a single, streamlined process (Article 36a of Law No. 57/2024/QH15).

Mr. Thinh also emphasized “creating land funds to attract investment” by closely coordinating with departments, agencies, and localities to accelerate the development of newer, more efficient IPs. They will regularly review slow-progressing projects with a view to terminating the operations of inefficient or long-vacant investment projects.

To effectively attract domestic and foreign investment, Mr. Thinh also outlined business support activities; the development of specific support policies for high-tech enterprises; and the organization of activities connecting businesses with credit institutions to secure capital for production expansion and technological innovation.

The city also needs to organize activities to connect businesses in production and business activities, especially with large FDI enterprises, to participate in global supply chains. It should strengthen relationships with business associations and chambers of commerce (such as Jetro, EuroCham, AmCham) to engage and connect with potential FDI enterprises, and anticipate developments that could impact business operations to implement timely response measures.