NDO The Kuwait Times recently ran an article about the favourable business investment in Vietnam. Here is the full text of the article.

The potentials of 90 million-citizen Vietnam, as other Southeast Asian markets for Middle East investment have become ever more evident in recent years. For decade, with the growth rate registered from 5% to 7% annually, Vietnam ranks among Asia country having high and stable growth rate thanks to its proper management policies. The countrys GDP growth rate in the first 10 months of 2014 has attained 5.62% while inflation has been effectively curbed. Production and export have both increased, foreign exchange rate remained stable while the countrys foreign reserve has reached the record high level of US$35 billion, FDI registered at US$12 billion. The real estate market is also regaining pace. Foreign investors increasingly eye the countrys abundant natural resources and human force as great potentials for growth.

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Persistent with administrative reforms, the business environment in Vietnam has greatly improved to become ever more attractive to world investors. The US Chamber of Commerce in Singapore has recently ranked Vietnam the second most attractive destination for American investors. The countrys non-guarantee government bonds have climbed up one level from B2 to B1 on Moodys ratings owing to prospects of stable growth. Fitch Ratings agency also plans to raise Vietnam from B+ to BB- as sign of economic recovery and risks mitigation. The countrys achievements after years of renovation has created a new vision and reputation among world investors as yet another Asian economy with ample potentials for growth. Being WTO member since 2007, Vietnam is signing with EU free trade agreement as well as negotiating with major partners like United State, Japan in order to sign the Trans-Pacific-Partnership agreement in the near future.

From the perspectives of Middle East investors, Vietnam is also gaining popularity as the two-way political, economic and trade relationship expands. Special interests have been paid to the countrys real estate and oil & gas markets by renowned ME corporations over the past decade. Investment projects worth billions of US dollars were sketched up by Dubai-based Nakheel, Dubai ICD and Qatar-based United Development Company PSC to develop housing, real estate and road infrastructure in provinces of Vietnam. The US$3.5 billion worth investment project by Kuwaits International Oil Corporation to build Nghi Son petrochemical refinery complex has been on steady progress. The common perception of Vietnam in the eyes of entrepreneurs from the Gulf has been a favourable business environment and promising ample profits.

As the Vietnamese economy is expected to grow steadily and further improve its business environment, the country is having a lot to offer Middle East investors.