FDI has been an important source that directlyparticipated in and promoted the creation of several industrial sectorswith a high demand for technology and added-value products, such asmachinery manufacturing, energy, computers and telephones, they said.
FDIhas also played an important part in the country's export and importactivities over the past years, they said, adding the FDI sectorcontributed towards ensuring the supply of foreign exchange as well asthe national balance of payments.
Director of the National Centreof Socio-economic Information and Forecasting Mai Thi Thu said sincethe Law on Foreign Investment was issued in 1987, FDI capital has hadgreat impact on Vietnam's economy by mobilising capital for developmentand promoting economic development.
FDI also contributed towardscreating conditions for the transfer of technology, generating jobs forthe local people and accelerating the country's global integration, shesaid.
Several products produced by foreign-invested businesseshave established themselves firmly in international markets, such astelephones, electronic components and garments and textiles.
Director of the planning and investment ministry's Foreign InvestmentAgency Do Nhat Hoang said FDI helped to strengthen the linkage betweenforeign and domestic businesses, and assisted Vietnam's economy tointegrate deeper with the global economy.
Thegovernment and authorised agencies of ten created conditions andimproved the investment environment to draw more foreign investment, hesaid.
However, a number of participants pointed outthe shortcomings of FDI businesses, such as slow transfer of technologyfor domestic partners, environmental pollution caused by some FDIprojects or tax evasion by some businesses, causing public concern,while affecting the investment environment of Vietnam.
The Foreign Investment Agency said Vietnam granted licences to 267 newFDI projects in the first quarter of this year, with a total registeredcapital of more than 1.2 billion USD.
The country expects to draw 18 billion USD in FDI this year, and the FDI disbursement is expected to be 12 billion USD.
Vietnam attracted 17,579 FDI projects worth 251.8 billion USD over thepast 30 years, since the Law on Foreign Investment was issued in 1987.
FDI projects cover a wide range of sectors,including minerals exploitation, agro-forestry and fisheries, processingindustry and services such as real estate, healthcare and education.
Asian investors such as Japan, Singapore and the Republicof Korea and Taiwan (China) are among the top foreign investors inVietnam.-VNA