FDI inflow surges in year’s first half

The figure included US$11.83 billion poured into new projects.

The processing and manufacturing sector attracted the lion share of FDI at US$9.48 billion, accounting for 49.3% of total FDI registered in the country.

Electricity production and distribution ranked second with US$5.25 billion or equivalent to 27%, while the mining sector came third with US$1.28 billion or 6.68%.

Japan surpassed the Republic of Korea to become Vietnam’s leading source of FDI in the period, pumping US$5.08 billion into the country, making up 26.5% of the total FDI. Investors from the RoK invested US$4.95 billion, or 25.8%, while those from Singapore poured US$3.48 billion, or 18.1%.

From January to June, the central province of Thanh Hoa was the most attractive destination for foreign investors as it attracted US$3.06 billion in FDI, accounting for 15.9% of the nation’s total FDI. 

It was followed by the northern provinces of Bac Ninh and Nam Dinh with US$2.85 billion or 14.83% and US$2.19 billion or 11.4%, respectively.

In the same period, FDI disbursement experienced a year-on-year increase of 6.5% to US$7.72 billion in the first half of this year.

Foreign-invested sector accounted for 71% of the country’s total six-month export turnover. The sector also recorded trade surplus of US$10.22 billion in the period. 

As of June 20, 2017, the country is home to more than 23,590 valid foreign-invested projects with a total registered capital of US$306.3 billion. Over half of the total has been disbursed, according to the agency.