FDI was directed into 13 sectors, in which processing and manufacturing remained the most attractive industry, drawing $952 million into 65 new FDI projects and 40 existing projects. — VNA/VNS Photo

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — Total foreign direct investment (FDI) in Viet Nam reached nearly US$1.2 billion in the first two months of this year, equivalent to just 77.5 per cent of that in the same period last year.

According to the Foreign Investment Agency's report, disbursed capital in the period increased by 7.1 per cent against last year's same period to reach $1.2 billion.

Further, during this period, 148 new FDI projects were licensed, with a combined registered capital of $712.29 million, while 60 existing projects increased their registered capital, being valued at $480.5 million.

FDI was directed into 13 sectors, in which processing and manufacturing remained the most attractive industry, drawing $952 million into 65 new FDI projects and 40 existing projects.

HCM City. — VNA/VNS Photo

Meanwhile, real estate came in second, attracting $111.43 million in FDI during the period, or 9.3 per cent of the total FDI into the country, followed by retail and repairing services, with $71.22 million.

British Virgin Islands, with $351.39 million in capital, led 28 countries and territories injecting capital into Viet Nam, and accounted for 29.5 per cent, followed by the Republic of Korea and Hong Kong.

HCM City was the most attractive destination for FDI among 23 provinces and cities receiving FDI in the first two months of this year, with a FDI inflow of $497.9 million into the southern hub, accounting for 41.7 per cent.

Also, northern Hai Phong Province attracted $213.86 million in FDI, or 17.9 per cent, ranking the second most attractive destination, as the southern Binh Duong Province ranked third with $134.04 million FDI.

Of note, the FDI sector ran a trade surplus of $2.03 billion in the period, statistics showed. — VNS