Workers assemble cars at Can Tho Automobile Factory, which has investment from the Huyndai Motor Co. Foreign investment capital in Can Tho has reached US$879 million. — VNA/VNS Photo Duy Khuong

CAN THO (Biz Hub)— Two foreign businesses have been licensed to increaseinvestment capital by nearly US$3.3 million in Can Tho, bringing the total registered capital from 57 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in the Mekong Delta city to a record high of US$879 million since the beginning of this year.

The figures were released by Le Duong Cam Thuy, deputy director of the municipal Planning and Investment Department.

The encouraging results were attributed to the city's drastic administrative reforms in speeding up the granting of licences and reducing land lease fee, Thuy said.

An Investment and Trade Promotion Centre was also set up to provide updated information and create a closer link among local firms and relevant agencies.

Can Tho City also moved to complete its electricity, water supply and transport infrastructure, develop supporting industries, as well as provide high quality manpower to the FDI projects.

It stepped up trade promotion activities and strengthened co-operation with other provinces in the region and the southern economic hub of HCM City to lure more investment to Can Tho.

In addition, site clearance projects are underway to facilitate the operations of industrial parks (IPs).

In the long term, Can Tho City will expand its four IPs of Hau River, Thot Not, Hung Phu II and Tra Noc II along with building drainage and water treatment systems to stop environmental pollution in its existing IPs. — VNS