FDI Disbursement Reaches All-Time High in First Nine Months
Vietnam has witnessed a significant increase in foreign direct investment (FDI) with approximately $20.21 billion attracted from the beginning of the year until September 20, marking a 7.7% growth compared to the previous year. During this period, there were 2,254 newly-registered projects with a combined capital of $10.23 billion, indicating a 66.3% increase in the number of projects and a 43.6% increase in capital compared to the same period last year. The value of capital contribution and share purchase deals also rose by 47% to reach $4.82 billion.
In contrast, $5.15 billion, down 37.3% compared to the previous year, was added to nearly 934 existing projects, showing a 21.5% increase. However, this decline has been improving compared to previous months, with percentages decreasing from 39.7% in the first eight months, 42.5% in the first seven months, 57.1% in the first half, 59.4% in the first five months, to 68.6% in the first four months.
Among the 18 sectors interested in foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs), the manufacturing and processing sector led in FDI attraction, reaching $10.93 billion. It was followed by real estate with $1.61 billion, finance and banking with $1.54 billion, and wholesale and retail with $734 million.
From January to September, Vietnam received capital from 102 countries and territories, with Singapore leading the list at $3.98 billion, capturing 19.7% of the total. China followed with $2.92 billion, and Japan with $2.9 billion. These investments were spread across 54 provinces and cities, with Hanoi receiving the largest share of $2.53 billion, a 2.46 times increase compared to the previous year. Haiphong came second with over $2.21 billion, an 82.4% increase, followed by Ho Chi Minh City, Bac Giang, and Binh Duong.
As of September 20, FDI disbursement reached an estimated $15.9 billion, showing a 2.2% increase compared to the previous year. FIEs’ export value, including crude oil, was estimated at $191.3 billion, down 8.9% compared to the previous year, accounting for 73.5% of the total export turnover. Excluding crude oil, the export value was $189.9 billion, capturing 72.9% of the total. FIEs’ import value was nearly $154.12 billion, down 14.2% compared to the previous year, accounting for 64.4% of the total import value. The trade surplus of FIEs in the first nine months was $37.2 billion, including crude oil, or $35.8 billion, excluding crude oil, while local businesses reported a trade deficit of $16.1 billion.