Nguyễn Thị Huyền Ngọc of the Investment Promotion Centre in the south, tells a seminar in HCM City on July 16 that South Korea has increased investment in Việt Nam in the last few years, and this trend is expected to continue. — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — South Korea has increased investment in Việt Nam in the last few years, and this trend is expected to continue, a seminar heard in HCM City on Tuesday.

Nguyễn Thị Huyền Ngọc, head of the investment promotion division at the Investment Promotion Centre in the south, said South Korea had been the biggest foreign investor in Việt Nam for many years, investing over US$64.5 billion mainly in manufacturing (74.1 per cent), real estate (13.3 per cent) and construction (4.3 per cent).

With its stable political situation, rapid economic growth, clear and transparent investment policies, large workforce, improved infrastructure, and regional and global economic integration, Việt Nam is an attractive investment destination, including for Korea, according to Ngọc.

Its ceiling income tax rate of 20 per cent is equal to or lower than that of other Southeast Asian countries, except Singapore, which is also an important factor.

Kim Hyung-Joo of the South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said more than 6,200 Korean firms had invested in Việt Nam and the number would increase in future.

Korea is now Việt Nam's fourth largest trade partner and largest foreign investor after their trade expanded rapidly over the years.

“Việt Nam is an important investment and trade partner for South Korea, especially in our New Southern Policy that is based on the '3Ps' of People, Peace and Prosperity.”

Since establishing diplomatic ties in 1992 the two countries had developed close ties, with trade going up from just $500 million in 1992 to $68.3 billion last year, he said.

The Việt Nam-Korea Free Trade Agreement that took effect in 2015 had contributed greatly to boosting investment and trade ties between the two sides, he said.

His ministry had inaugurated the VKFTA Support Centre in Hà Nội and HCM City to enable businesses from the two countries to make use of the FTA, he said.

Choi Dae-Kyoo, certified customs consultant at Shinhan Customs Service Inc, said Việt Nam had two trade deals with Korea, the ASEAN-Korea FTA and the VKFTA, and trading companies could choose either.

However, businesses must make good preparations to better utilise FTAs, he said.

The seminar also spoke about the opportunities and challenges from the EU-Việt Nam FTA and the Comprehensive, Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, and the US-China trade war.

Ngọc spoke about investment procedures in Việt Nam, tax breaks offered to priority sectors and projects for which investment is solicited. — VNS