The Republic of Korea maintained its leading status among 47 foreign investors in Vietnam with a registered investment of US$2.1 billion, making up 25.4 percent of the total. It was followed by Singapore (US$1.3 billion or 16.6 percent of the total), the British Virgin Islands (US$1.2 billion) and Taiwan (US$629.7 million). Japan took over the fifth position from India by pouring in US$ 623.1 million.

Newly-licensed projects averaged US$8 million a project against US$7.01 million recorded in the same period last year. The top 15 projects alone accounted for 45.7 percent of the combined investment of the 1,045 newcomers, reported the Foreign Investment Department under the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

Major investments were mostly poured into the heavy industry and real estate development such as construction of hotels or office and apartment buildings for rent.

Of the 64 cities and provinces nationwide, 50 have managed to attract FDI projects. Ho Chi Minh City led the nation with US$1.1 billion in FDI while the oil-rich Ba Ria-Vung Tau province ranked second with US$1.06 billion. Hanoi came third with US$864 million, followed by Binh Duong with US$634 million.

To meet the yearly target for US$13 billion in FDI, the Foreign Investment Department is focusing investment in vocational training to meet investors’ demands for high-skilled workforce.