Vietnam aims to attract US$13-14 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) and disburse US$10.5-11 billion this year, equivalent to 2012’s figures.

The Foreign Investment Agency (FIA), under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, released the figures in Hanoi on January 4.

FIA director Do Nhat Hoang said to maximise FDI capital in 2013, it is necessary to increase the quality and efficiency of the planning work, boost coordination between state and local management agencies—especially in regards to investment project problem solving—and reduce the barriers facing foreign investors.

By December 15, 2012, 98 countries and territories had invested in 14,489 Vietnamese projects with a total registered investment capital of US$213.6 billion.

Japan was the largest investor in Vietnam, accounting for 13.6 percent of the total registered capital.

In 2012, Vietnam licensed 1,100 new projects and approved 435 existing projects registering to increase capital, bringing the total value of the newly-licensed and added capital to US$13 billion, equivalent to 84.7 percent of last year’s total.

The processing industry took the lead, attracting US$9.1 billion.

By December 20, 2012, Vietnam itself had invested in 712 projects across 60 countries and territories, capitalized at US$12.4 billion. 

75 projects were granted new licenses in 2012 alone, translating into with a total registered capital of US$1.3 billion in 28 countries and territories.

Vietnam plans to invest about US$1–1.5 billion in foreign countries during 2013.

VOV