Viettel Global Investment JSC (Viettel Global) targets increasing its customers in foreign markets by 12.9 million in 2017, bringing the total to more than 50 million.

Viettel Global approved its business plans this year at its annual shareholders’ meeting, held earlier this week. Accordingly, it targeted revenue of US$1.4 billion this year, posting a year-on-year rise of 29 per cent.

It has set strategic plans this year to improve its competitiveness and sustainable investment effectiveness.

The company has also prepared plans to penetrate larger markets with a population scale of 100-200 million as one of its strategies to continue expanding its international investment.

Last year, its total revenue from telecom services in foreign countries rose by 21.5 per cent, which was double the previous year. Its new markets in Africa witnessed strong growth, such as Viettel Tanzania at 1,343 per cent, Viettel Cameroon at 43 per cent and Viettel Burundi at 42 per cent.

By the end of 2016, its total customers reached 36 million. Its telecom networks in foreign countries have rapidly moved to the number one position as a result of a strategy to focus on new 4G technology, added-value services and mobile phone application. Viettel Global has provided 4G service to five out of nine markets.

In the first quarter of the year, its pre-tax profit rose by $39.3 million in comparison with the same period last year.

Viettel Global was established in October 2006 when its parent company, Viettel Group, decided to expand business overseas. — VNS