Despite the negative indications in the beginning of the year, including the unilateral withdrawal of the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and growing protectionism in many countries, Vietnam’s FDI attraction in 2017 achieved impressive results. Total FDI pledges reached US$35.88 billion in 2017, up 44.4% compared to 2016 which is the highest increase over the past ten years. FDI disbursement also surpassed the record set in 2016 (US$15.8 billion) to hit US$17.5 billion, Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment said.
The quality and effectiveness of FDI projects were also improved with many large-scale projects investing in the manufacturing industry, making considerable contributions to surpassing the economic growth rate of 6.7% for the whole of 2017.
2017 also witnessed large projects by giant multinational corporations including Samsung, Bosch and Panasonic in the area of research and development which is considered a gateway to gaining better access to the fourth industrial revolution, according to Prof. Dr. Nguyen Mai, chairman of Vietnam's Association of Foreign Invested Enterprises (VAFIE).
In addition, it is advisable to revise the whole process of a FDI project including investment promotion, project appraisal, licensing, and project implementation and evaluation.
Opportunities for multinational corporations to invest in Vietnam will be expanded if Vietnam's investment promotion becomes more specific but not over-diversified as at present. The appraisal of FDI projects also needs to be changed in respect of the long-term interests of the country to provide sustainable values for Vietnam in the future.
