HẢI PHÒNG — The Belgium government has always supported investment in projects in Việt Nam, especially support to further pursue green projects, Rudy Huygelen, chief of Cabinet, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and European Affairs of the Kingdom of Belgium, said.

Huygelen, attending the celebration to mark the 20th anniversary of the Đình Vũ Industrial Zone (DVIZ) and its success as the leading seaport industrial zone (IZ) in Việt Nam, held in the northern Hải Phòng Port City on Wednesday, said the Deep C-DVIZ project was a symbol of the firm cooperation between Belgium and Việt Nam.

He said the project is “the largest investment of Belgium in Việt Nam, probably also one of the oldest, and maybe also be the one with the maximum impact on the Vietnamese economy and society.” Development of other expansion projects such as this and green energy projects have also been welcomed by both governments, he said.

Đình Vũ Industrial Zone Joint Stock Company, the company invested by Hải Phòng People’s Committee, Rent-A-Port (Belgium) and Infra Asia Investment Hong Kong, has developed and manages the Deep C cluster.

“Partner Rent A Port has a proven track record as a pioneer in the development and exploitation of renewable energy in Europe and particularly Belgium, hence we are convinced we have the correct partners in Việt Nam and we are happy to see this partnership moving to the next level in addition to the development of industrial parks,” he said.

Set up on Đình Vũ Peninsula, a deserted area mainly used for fishery, DVIZ is different from other IZs as it started with no land, no power, no water supply and no access road; only with the vision of exploiting this premium and strategic location as the centre of a transportation hub.

“Over the last two decades, DVIZ has drawn US$3 billion investment from 70 multinational companies from Japan, Germany, the United States and Viet Nam, as well as Singapore and South Korea. Prominent investors include Bridgestone, JX Nippon Oil & Energy, Idemitsu and Shin-etsu, as well as Chevron, PVOil, IHI and Nippon Express, along with Yusen, Knauf, C.Steinweg and Flat Group. DVIZ has created more than 10,000 direct and 50,000 indirect jobs in the industrial service sector, contributing to the country’s rapid industrialisation,” Nguyễn Văn Tùng, chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, said.

DVIZ created the precedent to confirm feasibility of building on the sea and has become the symbol for port and industrial development in Cát Hải-Lạch Huyện, in which DVIZ/Deep C is also a major player. Expanding to south Đình Vũ (Deep C HP II) and Cát Hải (Deep C HP III next to Lạch Huyện Deep Seaport), DVIZ is a good starting point for the Deep C Industrial Cluster of over 3,000ha at the centre of the city’s mega infrastructure, which is the most strategic location in north Việt Nam.

Taking the initiative for sustainable development of the city and the country, the main shareholder of the Deep C/DVIZ project is undertaking green energy projects, including green power generation from renewable energy sources, generation of water from the sea and generation of electrical energy from waste, which is today left unexploited.

On the same day, a number of co-operation MoUs were signed between Rent-A-Port and the city for “green” projects, including research on the development of a green industrial cluster in Hải Phòng, research on green energy production supply to industrial zones and research on wind-powered water treatment in Cát Hải to supply 400 cu.m. per day clean water to 4,000 residents of the island in the beginning stage. This is a pioneering project in Hải Phòng and can be duplicated in other provinces with water shortage. Both parties will partner to request for 4.5 million euros Official Development Assistant from the Belgian government to fund this project.

Another MoU was signed between Daiwa House Việt Nam and DVIZ stating co-operation in finding prospective investors for DVIZ and its expansion. Daiwa House is Japan’s largest firm in real estate and construction, while Daiwa House Việt Nam has operated since 2012. The co-operation promises increased presence and participation of Japanese investors in the city for its strategic development. — VNS