Connect with us

Project

S&P Global acquires 43.4 per cent of Vietnam credit rating agency FiinRatings

Published

on

S&P Global Ratings, the world’s leading provider of independent credit ratings, announced on February 25 that S&P Global Inc. has agreed to acquire a 43.4 per cent minority shareholding in Vietnam’s leading credit rating agency, FiinRatings.

S&P Global acquires 43.4 per cent of Vietnam credit rating agency FiinRatings

The transaction between FiinGroup (the parent company of FiinRatings) and S&P Global (the parent company of S&P Global Ratings) is subject to Vietnamese government approvals. The investment transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2025.

S&P Global’s investment extends a long-standing partnership between the two companies and significantly increases their commitment to strengthening credit-rating standards and efficient and liquid debt capital markets in one of the world’s fastest-growing emerging nations.

“We are thrilled to deepen our presence in Vietnam through this equity investment in FiinRatings, our trusted partner for years in Vietnam,” said Lynn Maxwell, global chief commercial officer at S&P Global Ratings. “We look forward to working closer with FiinRatings and leveraging their deep local market insights to better serve our customers and investors in Vietnam and beyond.”

S&P Global Ratings has been associated with FiinRatings since 2020, with the relationship expanding in June 2022 when FiinRatings became a Technical Collaboration Partner of S&P Global. As collaboration partners, the two companies have organised joint seminars, and S&P Global Ratings has provided FiinRatings analyst training in various areas of credit rating agency operation and analytical process enhancements. Going forward, this collaboration will expand further, with both parties committed to collaboration on knowledge transfer, product development, branding, sales, events, marketing, analytical cooperation, and exchange of best practices.

Nguyen Quang Thuan, chairman and CEO of FiinRatings, said, “We are excited to expand our partnership with S&P Global Ratings. Their extensive global expertise and resources will enhance our ability to meet the evolving needs of enterprises and investors, thereby delivering greater value to Vietnam’s growing capital markets. At the same time, S&P Global Ratings can leverage our deep local insights and understanding of the Vietnamese market.”

Project

Prodezi Eco-Industrial Park holding infrastructure groundbreaking ceremony

Published

on

With its large-scale appeal to both domestic and international investors, the groundbreaking ceremony for technical infrastructure at Prodezi Eco-Industrial Park (Prodezi EIP) marks one of the most significant economic events in the Mekong Delta province of Long An so far this year.

Prodezi Eco-Industrial Park Breaks Ground

The investor, Prodezi Long An JSC (Prodezi), and developer Huong Viet Investment Consulting JSC (Huong Viet Holding), held the ceremony in Ben Luc district on March 12.

The event also signified a major milestone as Long An welcomed its first eco-industrial park (IP), designed and constructed in compliance with domestic and global sustainability trends.

Prodezi EIP spans 400 hectares and is adjacent to the 100-ha LA Home eco-urban area. It is a pioneering eco-IP and one of the largest in the Mekong Delta region. The total investment for the venture exceeds $195 million. The first phase subdivision is expected to be completed and handed over to investors in the forthcoming third quarter.

Key components of phase one will be developed in parallel with the construction of transportation infrastructure, green spaces, power, and water supply systems, with a particular focus on completing a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant (smart and eco-oriented) and a green-certified administrative building.

Once operational, Prodezi EIP will generate thousands of jobs for workers in Long An and the surrounding area. With state-of-the-art amenities, including the LA Home eco-urban area, the industrial park will form a complete industrial-urban complex, providing a high-quality working environment and enhancing living standards for workers and professionals, attracting skilled talent to the region.

Additionally, Prodezi EIP is expected to become a prime destination for both domestic and international businesses, especially those pursuing sustainable production models that prioritise resource efficiency and CO2 emission reduction. With its modern infrastructure, attractive investment incentives, and strong support from local authorities, Prodezi EIP enables businesses to optimise operational costs, meet environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, and enhance their competitive edge in the global market.

Also during the ceremony, Prodezi and Huong Viet Holding signed an MoU with Toho Gas, one of Japan’s three largest gas companies, to provide utilities and services for residents of LA Home and Prodezi EIP.

Last October, Prodezi and Huong Viet Holding signed an MoU with Japan’s Chitose Group and TA Vital for cooperation in wastewater treatment solutions for Prodezi EIP, aimed at delivering wastewater treatment solutions, functional organic fertilisers, and cultivating plants using a soil-free organic hydroponic system within the park.

Prodezi Eco-Industrial Park Breaks Ground
Prodezi and Huong Viet Holding signed an MoU with Toho Gas

Prodezi EIP’s focus is on high-tech, environmentally friendly industries that produce high-value-added products and optimise labour resources. The industrial park will attract a diverse range of industries, including electronics, automotive manufacturing and assembly, supporting industries for high-tech sectors, textiles and footwear, food and beverages, logistics (including warehousing and cold storage), data centres, precision engineering, semiconductors, and AI.

Located at the intersection of DT830 Road and Luong Hoa – Binh Chanh Road (60m wide), Prodezi EIP is part of the My Quy Tay – Luon Hoa – Binh Chanh development corridor, one of six key infrastructure projects in Long An.

This prime location is adjacent to the entrance of the Ho Chi Minh City – Trung Luong Expressway, bordering Ho Chi Minh City, and near major highways such as Ben Luc – Long Thanh Expressway and national ring roads 3 and 4. Businesses in the area benefit from easy access to airports and seaports, reducing costs and enhancing supply chain efficiency.

Huynh Van Son, Vice Chairman of Long An People’s Committee, said, “Long An prioritises attracting investments that are modern, efficient, and sustainable. We believe the Prodezi Eco-Industrial Park will be an ideal destination for both domestic and international investors, generating thousands of jobs and making a significant contribution to the province’s socioeconomic development.”

Prodezi Eco-Industrial Park Breaks Ground
Huynh Van Son, Vice Chairman of Long An People’s Committee

Prodezi EIP implements an advanced energy management system to flexibly utilise renewable energy and grid electricity, improving energy efficiency. Its wastewater treatment system is designed to reuse at least 25 per cent of water resources and repurpose sludge waste, in compliance with eco-IP standards. Prodezi also aims to obtain international green building certifications for its facilities and strictly adheres to ESG standards.

The park will allocate at least 25 per cent of its area to green spaces, water surfaces, transportation, technical zones, and shared social infrastructure. The park will also establish projected emission standards for specific industries, implement industrial symbiosis within the park, and develop monitoring mechanisms for inputs, outputs, and social responsibility initiatives for surrounding communities.

Truong Khac Nguyen Minh, deputy general director of Prodezi Long An JSC, said, “Prodezi Eco-Industrial Park is committed to creating an efficient manufacturing space that fosters a sustainable ecosystem where businesses, people, and nature can thrive in harmony. We believe that the establishment and development of the park, together with the adjacent LA Home eco-urban area, will create a sustainable industrial-urban-service ecosystem, generating economic value and enhancing the quality of life for the local community.”

In addition to its sustainable development goals, Prodezi EIP is committed to corporate social responsibility, working alongside local communities through various practical initiatives. Prodezi implemented several programmes last year, such as supporting education, environmental protection, and local community development, including scholarship grants and public infrastructure projects.

Prodezi broke ground on a 400-unit social housing apartment development in the LA Home eco-urban area on March 5, ensuring stable housing for workers and addressing labour force stability for manufacturing enterprises.

Continue Reading

Project

Real estate capital heading into suburban areas

Published

on

The shortage of affordable apartments in Ho Chi Minh City has led buyers with tight budgets to seek properties in neighbouring markets.

The real estate market in Ho Chi Minh City is facing a scarcity of land, while the cost of project development is continuing to rise. This has forced investors to carefully consider which product segments to focus on to ensure profits.

Real estate capital heading into suburban areas
Photo: baodautu.vn

Investors with land in strategic locations close to the city centre are prioritising the development of mid-range and high-end products to optimise financial outcomes.

As a result, buyers seeking affordable options are being forced to look elsewhere.

“The shortage of affordable apartments in Ho Chi Minh City has led buyers with limited finances to seek items in neighbourhoods like Binh Duong, Dong Nai, and Long An. In these areas, apartment prices hover at around $1,200-$1,600 per square metre, creating strong demand,” said Giang Huynh, head of research and S22M at Savills Ho Chi Minh City.

From another perspective, the average rental yield for apartments in Binh Duong is currently 4.7 per cent, well above the 3.7 per cent yield in Hanoi and 3.6 per cent in Ho Chi Minh City.

Dinh Minh Tuan, southern regional director of real estate trading platform Batdongsan.com.vn, shared that the high rental yield in Binh Duong is largely due to reasonably priced luxury apartments, with high rental prices and stable occupancy rates.

On average, a luxury apartment in Binh Duong can be rented for $400-$480 per month for a one-bedroom unit, and from $600-$800 for a two- to three-bedroom unit.

Meanwhile, in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, apartments in the $1,800-$2,000 per square metre range can only be rented for around $280-$480 per month, depending on the number of bedrooms, not to mention the increasingly stiff competition in enticing tenants.

In response to the strong capital shift, real estate firms in Ho Chi Minh City’s suburban areas are accelerating legal procedures to launch new projects.

This trend reflects the investors’ agility and creates attractive opportunities for both homebuyers and investors in 2025.

Accordingly, Kim Oanh Group plans to launch a 27-hectare urban area in New Binh Duong City in the first quarter of 2025.

This will be the first project the company has collaborated on with Surbana Jurong, a partner from Singapore, under EDGE green standards.

The project features 1,656 townhouses and terraced houses, and 1,666 social apartments, priced from $28,000 per unit.

Major developer Phat Dat Real Estate Development Corporation plans to launch two major projects, Thuan An 1 and 2 in Binh Duong province, covering a total area of 4.46 ha.

The 1.8ha Thuan An 1 will provide 2,604 apartments and shophouses, while the 2.66ha Thuan An 2 will have 3,270 apartments and 16 townhouses. These projects are located on key roads.

Simultaneously, southern developer An Gia Group plans the launch of 3,000 apartments at The Gio Riverside and 76 shophouses in Di An city.

The three-hectare project, located on the provincial route DT16, offers nicely designed apartments with one to two bedrooms.

Regarding opportunities for homeownership, Phan Cong Chanh, an expert in real estate investment, noted that owning a home requires solid knowledge and time to raise financial resources.

For young people, buying a home immediately is a challenge due to limited finances.

Buyers can explore financial support packages and use leverage to shorten the time needed to purchase real estate. This needs to be accompanied by a reasonable plan to ensure long-term affordability.

“Overall, owning a home is not just a purchasing decision; it also requires a smart financial strategy. Whether choosing to buy immediately, rent, or invest in real estate in any segment, individuals must consider their financial conditions and personal plans carefully,” said Chanh.

Continue Reading

Project

VinFast looks to long term with operational roadmap

Published

on

Carmaker VinFast aims to become a powerhouse in the electric vehicle market as it grapples with tougher competition abroad.

VinFast looks to long term with operational roadmap
The company wants to double EV sales when compared to last year’s figure

Potential investment from JTA Investment through an MoU between Vingroup and Qatar Investment Fund, which was unveiled last week, aligns perfectly with VinFast’s ambitious vision of scaling up production and sales in a competitive international market, the company said.

JTA Investment is exploring a potential equity investment of at least $1 billion in VinFast, the Nasdaq-listed EV manufacturer, as well as a strategic partnership aimed at supporting the company’s global expansion and technological development.

“This collaboration will unlock significant opportunities for Vingroup and its subsidiaries to drive technological, infrastructural, and sustainable economic advancement in Vietnam, while establishing a foundation for international expansion,” said Le Thi Thu Thuy, vice chairwoman of Vingroup.

Global electric vehicle (EV) competition is expected to get tougher as the demand for EVs is projected to increase further this year, but the outlook is being hindered by uncertainty surrounding tariffs and policy changes.

In 2025, S&P Global Mobility projects that 15.1 million battery EVs will be sold worldwide, a 30 per cent increase on last year. It is anticipated that 16.7 per cent of the light vehicle market will be made up of battery-based EVs.

S&P also reported that major unknowns await Chinese manufacturers BYD and Tesla in 2025 due to assumed changes to the US Inflation Reduction Act.

Last year, VinFast stated that it was delaying the opening of its North Carolina factory until 2028, which will allow the company to optimise its capital allocation and manage short-term spending more effectively, focusing more resources on supporting near-term growth targets and strengthening existing operations.

The company is expanding its strategy in India, Indonesia, and the Philippines, where EV infrastructure is developing rapidly but competition from domestic brands is limited. Experts said that in order to sustain long-term growth, it needs to compete with Chinese manufacturers and prove its competitiveness beyond its home market.

VinFast is scheduled to open factories in Subang, West Java and in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu this year. The plan to expand into India aims to seize growth opportunities in the world’s most populous nation and rapidly expanding EV market.

On February 28, VinFast and Motech Automotive Service Centres, through its franchisor and operator in the Philippines, signed an MoU on expanding the service network for VinFast’s EVs in the market. The agreement aims to meet the increasing demand for EVs among Filipino consumers, while affirming VinFast’s long-term commitment and determination to utilise green transformation across the region.

VinFast and Motech will collaborate to accredit over 60 Motech service workshops as approved VinFast service centres. In the Philippines, these service centres will have the authority to handle VinFast EV maintenance, warranties, and repairs. This year, VinFast intends to open over 100 similar service workshops throughout the Philippines.

In 2025, the company has set the ambitious target of doubling sales to around 200,000 EV globally after announcing impressive results in 2024, with 97,300 EVs sold globally, of which about 87,000 vehicles came from the domestic market.

Continue Reading

Trending