HCMC - Saigon Hi-Tech Park (SHTP) Authority on Wednesday started work on phase two to expand the park in District 9 a further 613 hectares, in addition to the first-phase area spanning 300 hectares, which is nearly full.
The second phase, to be developed at a cost of VND5.8 trillion (some US$300 million), will include a supporting industry area, a hi-tech manufacturing area, an R&D and training area, and a business incubation area. Other facilities in the second phase include a logistics and service area.

The second phase, to be developed at a cost of VND5.8 trillion (some US$300 million), will include a supporting industry area, a hi-tech manufacturing area, an R&D and training area, and a business incubation area. Other facilities in the second phase include a logistics and service area.

Le Hoang Quan, chairman of the city, requested the park’s management board to complete phase one’s remaining infrastructure projects, and to immediately begin work on phase two, so that the park will be operational by 2013. They also need to ensure that the quality of logistic services can meet investors’ requirements.

The park also needs to attract more hi-tech projects, especially from well-known hi-tech and overseas Vietnamese corporations.

The first phase of the park, covering more than 300 hectares and already 95% full, has attracted more than US$1.76 billion worth of registered capital from local and foreign investors since it opened more than seven years ago, Quan said.

Prominent investors include Intel, Japan’s Nidec, Denmark’s Sonion, Allied Technologies of Singapore, Jabil, Datalogic, FPT and EVN Tel. Currently, the park has 17 operational projects, employing more than 10,000 workers and generating export value worth US$1.1 billion. Other projects are under construction.

SHTP, which is home to leading international hi-tech companies, expects foreign and domestic investment capital flow this year to hit some US$150 million. SHTP is focusing on attracting hi-tech projects in microelectronics, IT, telecommunications and R&D and service sectors.

In a related development, Intel Products Vietnam is ready to start production at its facility inside the Saigon Hi-Tech Park.

“We will host a formal grand opening this October, which will be attended by Intel CEO Paul S. Otellini,” said Rick Howarth, general manager of Intel Products Vietnam.

Intel announced its decision to invest USD$1 billion to build Intel’s largest single chip assembly and testing facility in the park in 2006.

“Once we reach full production capacity we expect to create around 4,000 jobs for local employees,” said Howarth.