On October 26, Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee of Bac Giang province (PPC) Nguyen Van Linh chaired a meeting with Korean investors. The meeting was attended by PPC Permanent Vice Chairman Lai Thanh Son, representatives of related departments, agencies, people’s committee of the districts and city, Chairman of Korea Chamber of Business in Vietnam (KORCHAM) and Korean investors in the province. 

Korea is the leading country in terms of the number of projects and investment capital in the province

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Lai Thanh Son stressed relationship between the province and Korean partner was increasing developed. Out of the countries and territories investing in Bac Giang, Korea is the leading investor with 151 projects, ranking the third in terms of registered capital with approx. US $600 million. Korean enterprises had made great contribution to the cause of socio-economic development of the province, especially the process of economic restructuring, science and technology transfer, job opportunities and improving incomes of labor.

The PPC Permanent Vice Chairman expected to receive straight and open opinions from investors regarding advantages and difficulties during implementing their projects in Bac Giang, at the same time discuss to find out timely solutions for such difficulties and obstacles. Thereby, enterprises could keep their mind on their investment and production. 

PPC Chairman Nguyen Van Linh was talking with Korean investors

Open discussion and talk

Many Korean investors, representatives of some related departments and agencies, the people’s committee of the districts and city discussed to clarify concerned problems. Most of them admitted that implementation of the projects in the province received attention by the authorities at all levels. Right after getting investment approval, enterprises promptly build their factories, install equipment and carry out projects faster than commitment. 

Mr. Cho Yong Gil- Director of Geosan Tech Vietnam, Ltd (in Song Khe- Noi Hoang industrial cluster) was speaking at the meeting

Some opinions requested the province to improve infrastructure of the industrial zones i.e. upgrading entrance roads and providing detailed maps showing location of enterprises in each industrial zone; support enterprises in worker recruitment by disseminating information of enterprises to labor; timely consult enterprises about changes in  regulations related to environment, taxation, customs, immigration and labor; reduce inspections.

Representative of Korean enterprises was speaking at the meeting

According to Mr. Jeon Wooik, Director General of SJ Tech Vietnam, Ltd, “Currently, each company has thousands of workers; therefore, it is difficult to arrange health check for them as most of hospitals open during working time. Besides, there are still unexpected power -cut incidents, which did not follow announcement causing damage to production. We hope the PPC will direct related departments and agencies to solve the problems helping enterprises keep their minds on their production and business”.

Regarding technical infrastructure in industrial clusters, Mr. Daeyang Park Dar Hong, CEO of Daeyang Ltd said, “Currently, many enterprises running their projects in industrial clusters in the province are facing obstacles due to inadequate infrastructure. Particularly, many paths to industrial clusters built a long time ago have been deteriorated, some of which have not been tarred causing traffic difficulty. In addition, environmental protection in industrial clusters has not been paid careful attention i.e. lack of concentrated sewage treatment stations with proper capacity. We expect the PPC to invest in improvement of the road system and construct sewage treatment stations in industrial clusters so that we can invest and develop our production and business”. 

Director General of Hana Kovi INC, Ltd Song Heng Ok was speaking at the meeting

Regarding propaganda and dissemination of new laws, regulations and policies, according to Director General of Hana Kovi INC, Ltd Song Heng Ok, it was necessary to translate new laws, regulations and policies into Korean or English languages. Laws and regulations related to labor, social insurance, investment policies and procedures were regularly adjusted and supplemented; therefore, it was hard for company leaders to thoroughly understand.

Strengthening talks to surmount difficulties of enterprises

In his speech, Chairman of Korcham Ryu Hang Ha said, “As an association protecting rights of Korean enterprises in Vietnam, I highly appreciate great efforts and essential actions of Bac Giang province recently which timely help enterprises surmount their difficulties. I hope that direct meetings between enterprises and local leaders will continue to be held more regularly in coming time; thereby, making contribution to connecting and bridging gaps among FDI enterprise and public agencies and authorities. With your strengths in geographical location, traffic infrastructure and logistics in line with essential commitments and actions of the province, I strongly believe that Bac Giang will get more success in investment attraction and socio-economic development”.  

Efforts in improving investment climate

With the aim at improving investment climate for enterprises, consolidating connection between investors, local authorities and people in the province, representatives of the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs and Provincial Federation of Labor committed to supporting in labor recruitment via the Job Center of the province. They requested enterprises to collaborate to give information on their needs for labor and job title requirements. They also promised to collaborate with enterprises, provide guidance to enterprises, trade unions and labor so that they could grasp information and obey laws on labor and trade union; and provide periodical health check to laborers. 

Leader of Bac Giang Electric Company was answering questions of enterprises

Regarding such issues on site clearance, land use right certificates and waste treatment, Mr. Le Hong Son, Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment asked the enterprises to timely inform the department about specific obstacle so that they could find effective solutions, pay attention to waste sorting and treatment including hazardous waste in accordance with regulations. In coming time, Department of Justice, Provincial Federation of Labor and Department of Foreign Affairs would popularize new policies and regulations to enterprises.  

View of the meeting

In his conclusion, PPC Chairman Nguyen Van Linh highly appreciated the contribution of Korean investors to Bac Giang province. At the same time, he straightly admitted the shortcomings in site clearance, working attitude of some public officials and improvement of investment climate. The Chairman expected investors to share difficulties with the province. Regarding recommendations and requests of the enterprises, he asked related departments, agencies and localities to promptly solve the problems and make favorable conditions for investors. As regards policy-related issues beyond competence of the province, the Provincial People’s Committee would accept their opinions and propose them to the Central ministries and agencies to amend and supplement. 

Bac Giang was committed to accompanying investors and they defined enterprise as an indispensable part of the economy, culture and society. The PPC directed agencies to give best public services related to enterprises. The provincial authorities would keep regular contact with enterprises in various ways and PPC Chairman expected to receive opinions of enterprises via hotline ( 19006118) and email of the PPC. 

PPC Chairman handed investment certificate to Phu My., JSC

Mr Chairman stressed, “From now to the first quarter of 2017, power supply system to industrial zones will be improved to meet demands of enterprises. The province will continue to request the Ministry of Transportation to deal with inadequate frontage roads to Van Trung and Quang Chau industrial zones. We will set up price system on sewage treatment in industrial zones to attract investors in this field. We commit to minimizing inspection.

He also stressed, “Bac Giang is highly focusing on service development.  Adequate banking system, convenient electric and water supply, newly established Hoa Phu industrial zone, and international logistics center in Bac Giang city which is going to be commenced will set up a convenient service network. Bac Giang will become a promising and attractive destination for investors.

On this occasion, Phu My JSC was handed investment certificate to construct infrastructure of Hoa Phu industrial zone.

Dang Lam

NgocQuyen: Dịch