• Published on 30 November 2020
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UOB secures more than SGD3 billion of foreign direct investment into Vietnam in alliance with its Foreign Investment Agency

UOB is stepping up its efforts to help companies seize opportunities in the region’s fastest-growing economy, Vietnam, after securing more than SGD3 billion of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country. The bank and Vietnam’s Foreign Investment Agency (FIA) today signed an expanded memorandum of understanding (MOU), which will see the bank facilitating an additional pipeline of more than SGD1.5 billion in FDI into Vietnam.

Vietnam received close to $14 billion in disbursed FDI in the first nine months of the year across all industries and UOB is helping companies from across the region ride on the momentum, focusing on high growth sectors. These are the sectors that the Vietnamese government seeks to develop, namely sustainable energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, healthcare and technology.

Tapping the trade corridors between ASEAN and Greater China, UOB has helped more than 150 companies seize opportunities in Vietnam and aims to double the number as part of the latest MOU. As part of the value chain, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) which support these sectors will also benefit. More than 2,000 jobs in Vietnam are also forecast to be created from the next wave of investments. This is on top of the more than 17,000 jobs already created under the first MOU. More Singapore companies are also expected to invest into Vietnam as part of increased business and closer ties between the two countries.

UOB’s own ties with Vietnam began in 1993 when the Bank opened its representative office in the country. UOB remains the first and only Singapore bank to establish a foreign-owned subsidiary in the country, doing so in 2018.

Wee Ee Cheong, Deputy Chairman and CEO, UOB, said, “At UOB, we have been steadfast in our support of Vietnam’s economic development since establishing our roots in the country almost 30 years ago. Over the years, we have experienced first-hand the rise of Vietnam, driven by a strong economy that is set to become the fourth largest in ASEAN by the end of this year.

“The expanded MOU with FIA reaffirms our close and collaborative relationship in helping regional companies tap Vietnam’s vibrant economy, driving their sustainable advancement and boosting trade flows and job creation across ASEAN. With the seamless connectivity and sectoral expertise we offer throughout our regional network, UOB is well placed to support companies looking to diversify their supply chains amid disruptions caused by the global pandemic.”

UOB Vietnam has three offices, two in Ho Chi Minh City and one in Hanoi, which provide financial solutions that are essential to the different life and business stages of consumers and companies in Vietnam. Its digital presence is established through the Bank’s award-winning mobile banking app, UOB Mighty. In 2013, UOB set up a dedicated FDI Advisory team in Vietnam as part of broadening its support for regional clients investing into the country. 

The expanded MOU will see FIA broaden access to investment opportunities beyond the main cities of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi and into fast-developing cities such as Bach Ninh, Hai Duong, Binh Duong and Dong Nai.

Under the MOU, FIA will also provide companies referred by UOB with advisory on investment policies and dedicated support in investment procedures and applications. The UOB FDI Advisory team provides companies from across the bank’s network with local insights, market entry support and customised financial solutions, and connects them to regional business opportunities. UOB FDI Advisory and FIA will also conduct webinars with speakers from the bank’s ecosystem partners, including government agencies, consulting firms and multinational companies, to share their expertise and best practices on investing in Vietnam.

The MOU signing ceremony was conducted virtually on 27 November 2020, attended by senior Vietnamese government officials and senior leaders from UOB.

Re-disseminated by The Asian Banker