Vietnam attracts 5.46 billion USD in FDI

As many as 126 foreign projects were granted investment licences with total registered capital of 3.31 billion USD, a year-on-year fall of 33.9 percent.

Meanwhile, 115 existing projects adjusted their investment capital with a total additional sum of 1.61 billion USD, or 2.5 times higher than the same time last year.

Capital contributions and shares purchases by foreign investors stood at 543.1 million USD, down 34.4 percent.

Foreign investors pumped capital in 17 sectors, with processing and manufacturing holding the lead with over 3 billion USD or 55.7 percent, followed by power production and distribution with 1.44 billion USD (26.5 percent), real estate 485 million USD, and science-technology nearly 153 million USD.

Japan topped the list of 46 countries and territories landing investment in Vietnam, with 1.64 billion USD, equivalent to nearly 30 percent of the total. Singapore came second with 1.07 billion USD (19.6 percent), and the Republic of Korea third with 1.05 billion USD (19.3 percent).

The ministry said the southern province of Can Tho lured the lion's share of FDI with 1.31 billion USD, accounting for 24.2 percent of the total. Hai Phong city was the runner-up since it attracted nearly 918 million USD, or 16.8 percent. Bac Giang came third with nearly 573 million USD (10.5 percent).

So far this year, the foreign-invested sector has earned 38.07 billion USD from exports, up 34 percent year-on-year, and making up 76.1 percent of the nation's total export turnover. At the same time, it spent 31.6 billion USD on imports, up 31.2 percent year-on-year, and accounting for 66.6 percent of the country's total import value. That resulted in a trade surplus of nearly 6.5 billion USD.

US newspaper highlight Vietnam's strategies for successful response to COVID-19

Vietnam was ranked second for successfully handling the COVID-19 pandemic, and its contact tracing was so good it barely had to lock down, the Vietnam News Agency quoted a headline on the US-based Business Insider.

The newspaper quotes a report published by thinktank The Lowy Institute in January as saying Vietnam was ranked second, behind New Zealand, out of 98 countries in their response to COVID-19.

Kamal Malhotra, a United Nations resident coordinator in Vietnam, said the country's success in handling the virus came down to three things: contact tracing, strategic testing, and clear messaging.

"Instead of testing everyone, they tested those identified in contact tracing. The borders were shut down and everyone who came into the country was quarantined in government facilities — for free."

Credendo Group's offices in Germany and Austria have published a study to evaluate the level of risk in Vietnam, which emphasised that the Southeast Asian country is continuing its successful economic story after its good performance in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic.

The article quoted the latest country study of Credendo, saying that Vietnam has been one of the few highly resilient countries during the unprecedented COVID-19 shock.

Vietnam to start COVID-19 vaccination for health workers from March 1

Health workers in quarantine wards will be the first to receive COVID-19 vaccine shots for free from March 1, the Sai Gon Giai Phong newspaper quoted the sayings of Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long.

After the first batch containing 117,000 AstraZeneca vaccine shots arrived at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City on February 24, the Ministry of Health sent its press release upon COVID-19 vaccination plan and the use of vaccine .

According to Minister Long, the country will receive 30 million doses supplied by COVAX Facility and the Ministry has negotiated to have all 30 million doses in 2021. He revealed Vietnam has ordered 30 million doses of vaccine from AstraZeneca and Pfizer respectively. The Southeast Asian country has also ordered Russia's Sputnik V vaccine. The manufacturer of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine announced that it will supply 60 million doses to Vietnam. Therefore, Vietnam will have around 90 million doses of vaccine this year.

He ensured that there will be enough vaccine for all Vietnamese residents and massive vaccination will be carried out as soon as possible.

The Ministry of Health has listed 11 groups of individuals including health workers, staff members of all-level steering committees for COVID-19 prevention and control, quarantine facilities, and reporters in virus-hit areas, diplomats, public security officers, teachers, people over 65 years old, and those with comorbidities who will be the first to receive COVID-19 vaccination next month.

(Source: CPV)