Cao Thi Phi Van, Vice Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Investmentand Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC), said that since Vietnam and the RoK set up diplomatic relations in 1992, their partnership has grown fast andstrongly, especially in investment and trade.
She noted that RoK’s investment in Ho Chi Minh City hasrisen impressively recently despite impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of October 2022, the RoK had been the largest investor in thecity with 2,027 projects worth over 5.4 billion USD, accounting for 9.81% of the total FDI amount.
She noted that the local administration has provided great support to foreign enterprises, while improving its business environment to attract more investors.
Han Jae-jin, Vice President of the Korea Chamber of Business and Industry in the South &Middle of Vietnam (KOCHAM), highly valued the local administration’s efforts and its willingness to listen to and support businesses in dealing with their difficulties.
At the meeting, Korean firms suggested that immigration managementagencies of Vietnam allow them to use visa application serviceor designate reputable service companies to carry out the applicationprocess.
Nguyen Phan Hoa, deputy head of the Foreigner Management Division at the Vietnam Immigration Department in Ho Chi Minh City, said that the ImmigrationLaw of Vietnam stipulates that guaranteeing agencies, organisations andindividuals must directly submit dossiers at the Immigration Department. Ifthere are difficulties in preparing documents, businesses can contact consultingservices for assistance, he said.
Hoa also answered questions on what cases dossiers must besubmitted at the Immigration Division and what case at the Immigration Department, theextension of visas for processing work permit application.
Nguyen Van Lam, Vice Director of the HCM City Department of Labour, Invalidsand Social Affairs, said that the department is preparing to provide level-4online public services, allowing the issuance of work permits online, whichmeans people can submit their dossiers and receive response at home.
This will help limit problems arising during direct contactand enhancing transparency during the process, thus creating favourable conditions for businesses and investorsto invest in the city, he said./.