The "Investment Promotion Seminar on Quảng Nam," organised by the central province’s government in collaboration with the Quảng Nam Southern Business Association on July 20 was meant to help southern businesses understand policies and explore investment opportunities. — Photo by baoquangnam.vn

Quảng Nam Province is seeking investment from the south and trade with businesses there, a seminar heard in HCM City.

The "Investment Promotion Seminar on Quảng Nam," organised by the central province’s government in collaboration with the Quảng Nam Southern Business Association on July 20 was meant to help southern businesses understand policies and explore investment opportunities.

The province’s chairman, Lê Văn Dũng, said Quảng Nam is considered a safe, attractive and reliable investment destination by international investors.

It has extensive transportation infrastructure, including an airport, seaports, railways, highways, and expressways, he said.

It also has UNESCO world heritage sites Hội An City and Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary, two economic zones, 14 industrial parks, and 115 industrial clusters, he said.

It has promoted itself, its investment potential and incentives at various events, attracting investments of VNĐ233 trillion and US$6.2 billion, he said.

In the first half of this year Quảng Nam's economy ranked 26th in Việt Nam with a total value of nearly VNĐ59 trillion.

The chairman of the Quảng Nam Southern Business Association, Đỗ Xuân Diện, said the province has significant potential in agriculture, tourism, services, and trade and a “golden” development period over the next 20-30 years.

With support from authorities, adequate human resource availability and a strategic geographical location, the province would keep developing and attracting investors, he said.

Many foreign and local businesses are searching for opportunities in the province’s tourism industry.

Benoit Moreau, brand director of Tam Son Yachting Co Ltd, said his company is looking to invest in a yachting ecosystem in Quảng Nam, especially Hội An City and Điện Bàn District.

Its surveys have found a significant increase in the number of tourists visiting Quảng Nam in recent years and high demand among them for yachting experiences in local bays and rivers.

Võ Phú Nông, director of BIMECA Herbal Medicine Company, said: "We plan to invest in a herbal medicine conservation centre linked with educational and ecological tourism.

Nông said Quảng Nam is a highly attractive tourist destination, especially for visitors from abroad, who enjoy nature-related and health-enhancing tourism.

Nguyễn Thanh Hồng, director of the province Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, admitted Quảng Nam has mainly focused on exploiting the heritage sites Hội An and Mỹ Sơn, leaving many other promising tourism areas untapped.

He also admitted that policies continue to be difficult for investors despite administrative reforms.

Nevertheless, Quảng Nam is determined to create a good investment environment to attract big investors, he vowed.

The seminar was held as part of the annual Đồng Hương Quảng Nam (Quảng Nam People) Festival that seeks to link up Quảng Nam natives in HCM City through cultural activities and honour their achievements. — VNS