IFC to support Hanoi to attract high value-added investment

TheLEADERIFC will work with Hanoi to formulate a new-generation FDI strategy and assist the city in diversifying its funding sources.

The MoU signing between Hanoi and IFC

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the People’s Committee of Hanoi to support its efforts to attract new-generation foreign direct investment (FDI) and diversify its funding sources, thereby sustaining the city’s rapid economic development, competitiveness, and inclusive prosperity.

One of the fastest growing cities in Asia, the country’s capital accounts for one-fifth of Vietnam’s gross domestic product (GDP). Home to over eight million inhabitants, Hanoi attracted $8.45 billion in FDI last year, highest among the country’s 63 cities and provinces. The FDI capital flow was highest in three areas including property development, processing and manufacturing, and telecommunication and information.

To sustain robust socio-economic development, Hanoi aims to attract higher-quality streams of FDI. This will support the city’s strategy of developing high-tech and high value-added industries, increasing local sourcing, and creating more and better jobs.

“Strategic FDI as guided in the Politburo’s resolution 50/2019 on orientations to finalize policies and mechanisms to promote FDI quality and effectiveness toward 2030 plays an essential role in sustaining Hanoi’s sustainable economic and employment growth and in realizing its industrialization and modernization plan toward 2030,” said Nguyen Duc Chung, chairman of the People’s Committee of Hanoi. 

Under the MoU framework, IFC will work with Hanoi to formulate a new-generation FDI strategy in response to the government’s master plan of foreign investment promotion toward 2030. 

Where possible, IFC will also assist Hanoi in diversifying its funding sources. The overall effort will leverage IFC’s global network of clients and partners, with benefits to potential key sectors including financial markets, infrastructure, logistics, and health and education.

“Hanoi already possesses many key factors that are attractive to higher quality FDI. The current environment of global supply chain changes — as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic — provides a good opportunity for the city to further prioritize FDI inflows in line with its development strategy,” said Kyle Kelhofer, IFC regional manager for Vietnam, Cambodia, and Lao.

Kelhofer said that this includes FDI with increased local value-addition, with increased technology focus, to strengthen foreign-local firm linkages and help enhance local supply chain opportunities, foster improved job opportunities, and boost the overall competitiveness of the city.