Deputy Prime Minister Tinh Dinh Dung (R) receives SCG Executive Director. VNA/VNS Photo

The Vietnamese Government, ministries and sectors have always created favourable conditions for foreign investors, including those from Thailand, to expand production and business in Viet Nam, Deputy Prime Minister Tinh Dinh Dung has said.

Hosting a reception on Tuesday for Dhep Vongvanich, executive director of the Thai-based Siam Cement Public Company Limited (SCG) in Viet Nam, Deputy PM Dung highlighted the Viet Nam -Thailand strategic partnership, which has developed strongly in various sectors, especially in economic, trade and investment co-operation.

He spoke highly of SCG’s chemical and construction materials operations, which have contributed to the sound relations between the two countries.

He urged the company to speed up its US$5.4-billion Long Son petrochemical complex in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, and ensure that it is carried out in an effective manner in line with Vietnamese regulations on labour safety and environmental protection.

He also asked SCG to exercise its corporate responsibility, creating jobs and developing infrastructure to improve local livelihoods.

Dhep Vongvanich, for his part, affirmed that his firm would mobilise resources to complete the petrochemical complex soon, and organise training courses for local people so that they can work at the construction sites and plants or provide supporting services when the complex begins operation.

The complex will create tens of thousands of jobs for local labourers, he added.

SCG, one of Thailand’s best-known conglomerates, was founded in 1913 and has over 200 companies and 57,000 employees. It began operating in Viet Nam in 1992 with a trading business, gradually expanding investment in diversified businesses in cement-building materials, chemicals, and packaging industries. It now has 16 member companies, three representative offices, and two joint ventures in Vietnam. — VNS