There are 23 projects in the tourism sector, worth a combined US$3.7 billion, and 14 projects in infrastructure development, worth US$1.05 billion. Other projects are in industry, agriculture, entertainment and environment sectors.

The major projects include the Ao Chau tourism complex in Ha Hoa district, estimated to cost US$300-500 million; a coal-fired electric plant in Phu Ninh district, worth US$300 million in the first phase; a US$250 million software zone in Viet Tri city and a US$110 million cement plant in Thanh Thuy district.

In addition to its geographical advantages (the province is only 90km from Ha Noi, along the Kunming-Ha Noi- Hai Phong economic corridor), Phu Tho has potential in mineral mining, agriculture processing, paper as well as construction materials.

“Phu Tho will work to create the most favourable investment climate,” said the People’s Committee chairman Nguyen Doan Khanh.

The province strives to apply a “one-stop shop” policy to halve the time of administrative procedures for investors, along with incentives like land rental reduction and financial support in site clearance and compensation.

Furthermore, Phu Tho pledges to upgrade infrastructure in industrial zones (IZs), with a focus on labour force development.