The southern province of Dong Nai will try its best to create optimal conditions for Taiwanese businesses, Tran Van Vinh, vice chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, said.

The official made the commitment at a dialogue with Taiwanese enterprises on Tuesday to address their concerns on operating in the province. At the event, many Taiwanese firms raised queries regarding work permit exemption and energy labelling, along with issues on local transport and health insurance.

Vinh praised Taiwanese businesses for creating jobs, helping spur the local economy in a sustainable manner.

Zhang Cuifen, deputy head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in HCM City, said Taiwanese investors began operations in Viet Nam in 1988, with Dong Nai being their first destination. In 2016, Dong Nai took the lead nationwide in attracting Taiwanese investors, she said, noting that Taiwanese investment projects have been expanding beyond production to healthcare.

Taiwanese enterprises have also closely coordinated with local authorities in education, culture and tourism, she added. They have till date invested in 286 projects, valued at over US$5.15 billion, focusing on garments and textiles, footwear, electronics, steel and timber products.

In the first four months of this year, Taiwanese businesses’ export-import turnover exceeded $1.9 billion, making up 19 per cent of Dong Nai’s total export-import revenue. They also contributed VND902 billion ($39.7 million) to the State budget, accounting for 20 per cent of the amount collected by the local Department of Customs during the period. — VNS