HCM City (VNA) 𝄹– The southern province of An Giang held a conference to introduce its investment potential and key products in Ho Chi Minh City on November 26.

According to Ho Van Mung, Chairman of the An Giang People's Committee, the province, situated in the Mekong Delta and sharing nearly 100km of border with Cambodia, has a strategic location and serves as a critical commercial hub connecting Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, and Cambodia’s Phnom Penh capital city.

With favourable conditions and abundant natural resources, An Giang has competitive advantages in agriculture, tourism, industry, agricultural processing, and cross-border trade. To leverage these strengths, the province is refining its development master plan, focusing on infrastructure investment, advanced technology adoption, and the cultivation of a competitive workforce. Positioning itself as an attractive destination for investors, An Giang's administration is committed to creating the most favourable conditions for project registration and implementation. The province emphasises a proactive approach, with officials determined to reach out to investors instead of waiting for them to come.

Under the province's master plan for 2021–2030, with a vision to 2050, which was approved by the Prime Minister on November 15, 2023, the province will mobilise and effectively use resources to develop infrastructure in industrial parks. Notably, An Giang is actively inviting investors to develop the Dinh Thanh Industrial Park, which is expected to create a step forward in industrial growth. Another key project expected to appeal to investors is the Hoi An Industrial Park in Cho Moi district. Approved in 2012, this IP is designed as a multi-sector industrial hub focusing on fruit processing, biotechnology, fertilizer production, rice polishing, and frozen seafood processing. Other projects include the Hoa Binh and Hoa An industrial clusters, the expanded Xuan To industrial park, and the My Phu industrial cluster. An Giang is keen to attract investment in high-tech agriculture, food processing, tourism, logistics, and digital transformation. These sectors align with the province's strategic goals for socio-economic development. Investors are also offered a range of incentives, including land lease reductions under Decree No. 103/2024/ND-CP, import tax, and other supportive measures. For corporate income tax, projects in economically disadvantaged areas benefit from a 10% tax rate for 15 years from the start of operations. Additionally, enterprises may enjoy four years of tax exemption and a 50% reduction for the subsequent nine years, as outlined in Decree No. 218/2013/ND-CP. Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc emphasised that An Giang needs to focus on its strengths to attract high-tech investments and prioritize projects with significant impacts. She highlighted the need for investors to consider not only An Giang's advantages but also the broader potential of the Mekong Delta. Ngoc also noted that the Ministry of Planning and Investment will support An Giang in catching up with new trends, such as sustainable development strategies targeting net-zero emissions. The ministry will assist in securing resources for regional connectivity projects that enhance the Mekong Delta's development. Practical measures include improving the efficiency of public investment projects, expediting disbursements, and creating a favorable environment for private investments. The ministry also plans to integrate An Giang’s investment promotion activities into its national programmes and collaborate with local authorities to address challenges facing investors. From the perspective of investors, Rajib Gupta, Chairman of the Indian Business Chamber in Vietnam (INCHAM), proposed that An Giang continue to diversify its tax incentives, streamline administrative procedures, and upgrade infrastructure to create a more competitive investment environment. He highlighted the potential to attract more Indian investors through targeted promotional campaigns that showcase An Giang’s unique advantages. INCHAM, as a bridge between Indian and Vietnamese businesses, remains committed to fostering sustainable partnerships, he said, adding that the dynamic governance of An Giang demonstrates its potential as an attractive destination for Indian investors seeking long-term opportunities in Vietnam. With its unique strengths, strategic location, and investor-friendly policies, An Giang is poised to become a significant investment hub in the Mekong Delta, driving regional growth and prosperity./.