As many as 246 projects worth US$5.19 billion invested by Japanese firms are operating in the southern province of Binh Duong, accounting for nearly 20 per cent of foreign direct investment (FDI) poured into the locality so far. — Photo VNA

As many as 246 projects worth US$5.19 billion invested by Japanese firms are operating in the southern province of Binh Duong, accounting for nearly 20 per cent of foreign direct investment (FDI) poured into the locality so far.

The information was revealed by Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Tran Thanh Liem during his reception on Tuesday for a delegation of businesspeople from Japan’s Shizuoka prefecture, who visited Binh Duong to seek investment opportunities.

According to Liem, Japan ranks second and third in the total foreign investment and the number of projects in Binh Duong, respectively.

Binh Duong has lured 2,878 foreign-invested projects from 59 countries and territories worldwide, with a total investment of over $26.737 billion, becoming one of the five leading localities in FDI attraction in the nation, he said.

The province is home to 28 industrial parks (IP) and ten industrial clusters with a total area of 10,560 ha. The occupancy rate of IPs reached about 70 per cent.

Under a master plan approved by the Prime Minister, the locality will have 33 IPs covering an area of 14,790 ha by 2020, Liêm said, adding that the province has been building a plan to develop hi-tech IPs, commercial and service centres, and new urban areas.

Representatives from the delegation spoke highly of efforts made by the local authorities to draw investment, and Binh Duong’s modern technical infrastructure facilities, which help the locality to attract more and more investment projects.

Japanese guests said they will pay more attention to hunting for investment opportunities in the province in the coming time.— VNS