Minister of Planning and Investment Bui Quang Vinh (L) .— VNA Photo

BINH DUONG (Biz Hub) — Minister of Planning and Investment Bui Quang Vinh yesterday visited foreign companies affected during the anti-China riots in mid-May in Binh Duong Province.

He was accompanied by local leaders to the Viet Nam-Singapore Industrial Park in Thuan An township.

Le Thanh Cung, chairman of the Binh Duong People's Committee, told Vinh that the province had acted on the Government's instructions and provided compensation and support to firms that suffered losses.

It has so far announced recompense worth VND286 billion (US$13.6 million) for 37 enterprises and support policies in a first phase.

The amount would be deducted from land rental, cost of services, income and import taxes, and others, and procedures are being completed to compensate the remaining companies and would be announced next month, he said.

Thanks to the prompt assistance, the affected firms have resumed operations, he said.

Vinh praised the prompt action and also approved a proposal related to paying salaries to workers for May 12-25 when many factories remained closed.

Kent Teh, general director of Hongkong-owned Esquel Corporation, which produces T-shirts at the Viet Nam-Singapore Industrial Park and has been in Viet Nam for 14 years, told the minister that during the riots some of the company's workers tried to protect the factory.

Production returned to normal a week later, he said, adding that last month 100 more workers had been hired to meet orders.

Korean firm gets going

South Korean-owned Sewoon Medical Vina yesterday began production at the Viet Nam-Singapore Industrial Park.

The $7 million project was disbursed for constructing the factory for producing medical equipment one year since after investment license was granted.

Cung said the province encourages investment in projects using advanced technologies and in the knowledge sector and supporting industries and those that are environmentally friendly.

Binh Duong was the top province in terms of foreign direct investment in the first half, attracting over $1 billion.

This is expected to rise sharply in the second half. — VNS