HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc said yesterday that he appreciates the Samsung Group setting up a mobile research and development centre to transfer cutting-edge technology to Việt Nam.

He also said he hopes the South Korean group would keep its commitment to invest more in the country’s high-tech sector.

Visiting the Samsung complex in the Yên Phong Industrial Park in Bắc Ninh Province yesterday morning, the PM expressed his wish that Samsung would allow more domestic companies to join its production chain. The local input for Samsung currently stands at about 50 per cent.

Việt Nam in general and Bắc Ninh Province in particular will create a favourable environment for Samsung to expand its business in the country, including ensuring political stability and sufficient labour resources, he said.

Samsung currently has six factories in Việt Nam with an estimated investment of US$15 billion.

Dababo gets kudos

PM Phúc also visited premises of local food group Dababo in Bắc Ninh yesterday.

He hailed the group’s success in becoming a major player in the agricultural sector, and said the rightful decision of equitising the former State-owned group had contributed fundamentally to its achievements.

Dabaco was established as a State-owned enterprise in 1996 and equitised in 2005. Since then, it has grown into a conglomerate with more than 50 companies with annual avenue reaching over VNĐ10 trillion ($444.4 million).

Phúc suggested that the group steps up application of advanced technology and invests in automating production. It should also strengthen international co-operation to export Vietnamese products, he said.

Earlier, the PM met with Yoon Jong-kyoo, President of the Korean KB Kookmin Financial Group, in Hà Nội on Saturday. He said Việt Nam will continue maintaining macroeconomic stability and a favourable business environment for foreign investors.

Yoon said that his firm is keen on further expanding its business in Việt Nam in consumer finance, banking, securities and insurance. He said his group is especially interested in sharing its experience in social housing development, adding that his firm plans to coordinate with Vietnamese agencies in holding a conference on the issue.

The group will study investment opportunities and organise social activities in Việt Nam, such as providing support for young people’s start-ups.

PM Phúc praised the group’s intention to expand its financial activities in Việt Nam, as well as its willingness to share its experience in social housing development.

He voiced support for the Korean group’s initiative to hold a conference on ways to boost social housing in Việt Nam, welcomed its promise of assistance for Vietnamese youth’s startups, as well as its involvement in the restructuring of commercial banks in Việt Nam. — VNS