HÀ NỘI — The FDI Connect Forum 2026, themed “Towards Sustainable Global Supply Chains”, took place in the northern province of Bắc Ninh on April 24.

The event, jointly organised by the provincial People’s Committee and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, aimed to support Việt Nam’s efforts to achieve the 2026 GDP growth target of at least 10 per cent, transform the country into a regional high-tech hub and reaffirm Bắc Ninh’s role as a leader in foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction.

Addressing the forum, VCCI President Hồ Sỹ Hùng highlighted Bắc Ninh’s position as one of Việt Nam’s foremost industrial and FDI centres. He emphasised that the forum provided a platform for businesses to connect and build a transparent, efficient and sustainable investment ecosystem.

The forum served as a space for strategic dialogue where stakeholders shared visions, mobilised resources and explored pathways for deeper integration into global supply chains. It also conveyed Việt Nam’s strong commitment to welcoming new waves of investment and partnering with businesses.

Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Phạm Hoàng Sơn noted that Bắc Ninh remains among Việt Nam’s top performers in attracting FDI. To date, it has drawn over 3,500 projects from 46 countries and territories, with total registered capital exceeding US$49 billion. In 2025 alone, the province secured $5.73 billion, ranking second nationwide, and continued its strong performance with $1.2 billion attracted in the first quarter of 2026. Major international corporations such as Samsung, Foxconn, and Amkor have expanded original investments here.

He underscored that these achievements demonstrate Bắc Ninh’s favourable investment environment, highlighting a strategic shift towards selective, high-quality and sustainable FDI attraction. The province aims to develop into a centrally run city, a national hub for electronics and semiconductor industries by 2030, and a green, civilised, culturally rich and liveable city in Asia by 2050.

To realise these goals, Bắc Ninh is prioritising the development of strategic infrastructure, including inter-regional transport networks, next-generation industrial parks, logistics and digital infrastructure, and a free trade zone. The province continues to implement a “green lane” mechanism to streamline investment procedures, ensuring transparency, efficiency and rapid project deployment, the official added.

Nguyễn Đức Hiển, Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Policies and Strategies, outlined key orientations for enhancing FDI attraction nationwide and in Bắc Ninh. He stressed the importance of developing a synchronised investment ecosystem, shifting from quantity-driven to quality-driven FDI attraction, and strengthening linkages between foreign-invested and domestic enterprises to enhance local firms' capacity and resilience.

He also called for continued institutional reforms to create a more transparent, stable and competitive investment climate, alongside the development of high-quality human resources to meet the demand of next-generation FDI.

The Party and State of Việt Nam remain steadfast and consistent in their commitment to fostering a favourable investment environment for all enterprises, including FDI companies, Hiển affirmed, calling on foreign investors to maintain confidence in Việt Nam’s ongoing reform and economic development, as well as in its localities, including Bắc Ninh, and to pursue long-term engagement.

At the forum, two high-level dialogue sessions were held on repositioning supply chains and enhancing domestic capacity, as well as upgrading Vietnamese enterprises to Tier-1 suppliers within FDI value chains. Participants discussed strategies for moving up in global value chains, from assembly to innovation; breakthroughs in industrial infrastructure; green and smart industrial ecosystems; and models of cooperation between FDI and local enterprises, among others.

The forum provided an opportunity for businesses to engage directly with representatives of ministries and local authorities, gain updates on policy orientations and incentives, and expand connections with strategic partners across supply chains. — VNA/VNS