As many as 17.15 billion USD in foreign direct investment (FDI) was poured into Viet Nam in the first 9 months of 2015, a year-on-year surge of 53.4%, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Of the amount, about 11.03 billion USD was pumped into over 1,430 newly-licensed projects, up 44.5% against the same period last year. The remaining 6.11 billion USD was added to 461 operational initiatives, up 72.6%.

The ministry estimated that the foreign funders have so far disbursed 9.65 billion USD, up 8.4%.

Production line at Samsung Viet Nam factory in Yen Phong, Bac Ninh Province. (Photo: VNA)

The significant rise in the 9-month FDI was largely owed to the entrance of several major projects in August and September.

The manufacturing and processing industry attracted the largest share foreign investment with 11.36 billion USD added into 737 new and 346 existing projects, or 66.3% of the total FDI.

The Republic of Korea topped investors in Viet Nam, injecting 5.74 billion USD, or 33.5% of the total foreign funds, followed by Malaysia and the United Kingdom.

Bac Ninh Province received the largest portion FDI funds, worth 3.34 billion USD or 20% of the total.  Ho Chi Minh City came second with 2.61 billion USD, followed closely by Tra Vinh province with 2.52 billion USD.

(Source: VNA)