THÁI NGUYÊN – As many as 31 projects, worth VNĐ16.3 trillion (US$717.2 million), have so far been registered in the northern province of Thái Nguyên within the framework of its investment promotion conference. 
This was announced on June 20 at a press meet about the event, which will be held on July 1. 
The conference is expected to draw some 800 delegates, including Party and State leaders as well as representatives of ministries, central agencies, diplomatic corps, international organisations and domestic and foreign businesses. 
According to the organising board, the conference will launch the VNĐ1 trillion ($44 million) extended Bắc Sơn road project connecting downtown Thái Nguyên with the local Núi Cốc Lake tourism site. 
The event will also announce a list of 65 priority projects in need of capital and grant investment licences to eligible projects. Memoranda of understanding (MoU) on investment collaboration will also be signed on the occasion. 
Thai Nguyen has made lists of three qualified investors for projects worth more than VNĐ3.1 trillion and seven projects worth more than VNĐ1.7 trillion eligible to receive investment licences. 
The conference is expected to witness the signing of MoUs on investment cooperation for 21 projects, valued at nearly VNĐ11.4 trillion. 
Prior to the event, local authorities had separate meetings with foreign business delegations and investors from Japan, France, the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, South Korea and Singapore. 
The local leaders also met domestic investors, such as the Sun Group and FLC Group, to discuss about projects on building a cable car system connecting Núi Cốc Lake to Tam Đảo in Vĩnh Phúc province and on the development of urban infrastructure and high-tech agro-forestry. 
Nhữ Văn Tâm, vice chairman of the Thái Nguyên People’s Committee, said the province, located in the centre of the northern mountainous and midland region, boasted great advantages in attracting investment in tourism, industrial development, trade, services and argo-forestry. 
To date, it has planned six industrial zones covering 1,400ha and 35 industrial clusters spanning 1,300ha. -VNA