Part of Thang Long Industrial Park in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy
Vietnam’s foreign direct investment (FDI) disbursement reached US$15.4 billion in the January-August period, up 8.8% from the same period last year, according to the National Statistics Office (NSO).
This marks the highest level for the eight-month period in five years.
Of the total, the manufacturing and processing sector received the lion’s share, with $12.57 billion, accounting for 81.6% of all disbursed FDI. It was followed by real estate with $1.24 billion, or 8%, and electricity, gas, and water production and distribution with $563.6 million, or 3.7%.
According to the NSO, the country attracted $26.14 billion in FDI in the first eight months of this year, up 27.3% from the same period last year.
During the reviewed period, Vietnam licensed 2,534 new projects worth $11.03 billion in total. While the number of new projects rose 12.6%, the value of new pledges declined slightly by 8.1% compared with last year.
Of the total registered FDI, newly licensed projects accounted for $11.03 billion in 2,534 projects, while additional capital hit $10.65 billion. Capital contributions and share purchases rose to $4.46 billion.
The manufacturing and processing industry remained the top choice for new projects, accounting for 59.2% of new registered capital, followed by real estate at 21.5%. The manufacturing and processing industry attracted $13.64 billion in both new and adjusted capital, equal to 62.9% of total registered inflows.
Among the 78 countries and territories with newly licensed projects in Vietnam in the reviewed period, Singapore was the largest investor with $3.06 billion, accounting for 27.8% of the total. It was followed by China with $2.65 billion, Sweden with $1 billion, and Japan with $878 million.
Meanwhile, Vietnam’s outbound investment totaled $426.5 million in 108 new projects, nearly three times higher a year earlier. Adjusted capital in 21 existing projects added another $129.7 million.
