Attracting investment in industrial parks and industrial clusters: Enterprises complain of difficulties, the province commits to accompany

Effective, practical and sustainable industrial development is the consistent viewpoint affirmed by Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Pham Anh Tuan at the working session with leaders of departments, branches, localities and investors implementing projects in industrial parks and industrial clusters in the province on April 11.

The province is committed to always accompanying, removing difficulties, and creating favorable conditions for businesses to feel secure in investing in production.

Land acquisition problems, lack of labor

According to the report of the Department of Industry and Trade, the first quarter of 2025 recorded many positive changes in the planning, investment and development of industrial clusters (ICs). The province currently has 46/68 ICs established, with a total area of about 1,639 hectares. Of which, 45 ICs have detailed 1/500 planning, with an industrial land area of more than 1,127 hectares; 40 ICs have been and are carrying out compensation and site clearance (GPMB), of which 16 ICs have completed this work; 38/46 ICs have been and are investing in building technical infrastructure.

In addition, there are 10 new secondary investment projects, with a total capital of nearly 680 billion VND, bringing the total number of projects to 513 with a total capital of over 14,650 billion VND. The occupancy rate of industrial parks is about 54.9%, with an average investment of 49.4 billion VND/project; 282 projects are in operation, with a total area of 552 hectares.

However, the major problem at present is still site clearance. Mr. Nguyen Trung Dung, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Phuc Loc Industrial Park Development Investment Corporation (IP), the investor of Hoa Hoi IP (Phu Cat), said: Hoa Hoi IP has an area of over 177 hectares, of which nearly 8 hectares have not been cleared, affecting the progress of implementation. The IP has currently attracted 4 projects, of which 1 project has been put into operation, the remaining 3 projects are under design, expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2025.

According to Mr. Tran Thanh Dung, Deputy Director of Nhon Hoa Industrial Park Infrastructure Investment Joint Stock Company, this industrial park has deployed 282 hectares, and 43.8 hectares are still being cleared. On April 14, the company will transfer 15 billion VND to the town's account to serve this work.

In addition, many investors still face difficulties in human resources and procedures. Mr. Nguyen Van Lang, General Director of Becamex Binh Dinh Joint Stock Company, shared: We are implementing 11 projects with a total area of 300 hectares, total investment capital of 45,000 billion VND, of which 4 projects have been completed. However, the progress of some projects is slow due to the lack of skilled workers. For example, the WGR Industries project (Netherlands) producing interior and exterior furniture from natural materials requires 2,000 workers, but has only recruited nearly 800 people. We really need support from the province in training and connecting human resources. Many other large projects are being implemented such as the garment project of a Danish investor (52 million USD, requiring more than 3,500 workers), the coffee processing project of Singapore, and the fast food project of Korea are all facing difficulties in human resources.

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Pham Anh Tuan requested local authorities, departments and branches to work day and night, including holidays, to resolve work related to site clearance and investors' problems. Photo: HAI YEN

Localities need to take drastic action

Chairman of An Nhon Town People's Committee Le Thanh Tung said: In 2025, the locality plans to attract 7 projects, including 3 projects in industrial parks, but some investors are implementing very slowly. We have announced the withdrawal of 3 cases and will extend the deadline until mid-May. If there is no change, the official withdrawal will be made. As for Nhon Hoa Industrial Park, the site clearance work is still stuck because the land plot boundaries have not been determined. On April 12, we will work with investors to agree on the land withdrawal boundary and proceed with compensation.

In Phu Cat district, Chairman of the district People's Committee Nguyen Van Hung affirmed: We have cleared 170 hectares of land at Hoa Hoi Industrial Park, but because the investor has not attracted many projects, the land is left fallow, and people have repeatedly petitioned for ineffective land use. We request the investor to cooperate more actively to speed up the progress.

At the conference, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Pham Anh Tuan emphasized: The province's viewpoint is that if enterprises cannot implement, the local government must take responsibility. No blaming, no arguing, the task is to resolve. Minor problems must be adjusted immediately, allowing investors to implement in parallel.

For investors, the head of the provincial government requires: Industrial development must go hand in hand with efficiency, substance and sustainability. Infrastructure investors need to clearly demonstrate their commitment, financial capacity, implementation responsibility and investment efficiency. The province will resolutely revoke projects that are behind schedule and do not meet the criteria, in order to create opportunities for investors with real capacity. In addition, investors need to have innovative thinking, build green and smart industrial parks and clusters, ensure quick occupancy and reasonable rental prices. Environmental management and sustainable development are mandatory requirements for new industrial parks and clusters. Completed industrial parks such as Nhon Hoa and Phu Tai need to speed up ecological operation.

Regarding labor, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Pham Anh Tuan acknowledged: The province is facing great opportunities but also many challenges, especially when mega projects appear, labor resources are a huge problem. While industrial parks and industrial clusters lack labor, people in mountainous areas are unemployed. It is impossible to let people not have access and lack skills. The province requires departments, branches and investors to review vocational training, develop a methodical plan, connect people with businesses; allocate human resources reasonably, especially support poor households to escape poverty sustainably.

Mr. Tuan emphasized the spirit of “working day and night”, including Saturdays, Sundays and if necessary, even at night. Localities need to change their awareness, demonstrate their determination through concrete actions, accompany businesses, and create a breakthrough in the province’s socio-economic development.

Hai Yen

Source: https://baobinhdinh.vn/viewer.aspx?macm=5&macmp=5&mabb=354168