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IFC, SECO enhance partnership to bolster supply chain finance market in Vietnam

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The International Finance Corporation (IFC), in partnership with the Swiss Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), has launched the second phase of its supply chain finance (SCF) programme in Vietnam.

IFC, SECO enhance partnership to bolster supply chain finance market in Vietnam

Announced on March 17, the initiative is backed by a 5 million Swiss franc grant from SECO, extending through 2029. It aims to provide more than half a million Vietnamese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with access to up to $35 billion in working capital.

Vietnam is among the world’s most open economies, with exports contributing approximately half of the country’s GDP and supporting every second job, directly or indirectly. However, Vietnamese suppliers and exporters often face working capital constraints, as payments for delivered goods typically take 30 to 60 days. This limits their ability to accept larger orders and establish new business relationships. A recent World Bank survey found that less than one-fifth of local firms had global value chain linkages in 2023.

Better access to SCF can help address these challenges by converting sales receivables and inventories into cash, reducing funding costs, and accelerating trade cycles. It also strengthens local connections to global value chains and frees up capital for investment in research and development, technology, and workforce training.

“We estimate that the first phase of the programme has unlocked over $30 billion in capital for around half a million Vietnamese SMEs,” said Thomas Gass, Swiss Ambassador to Vietnam. “By providing financial support to these businesses, the programme has not only helped SMEs to thrive but also contributed to broader economic growth, fostering a more inclusive and sustainable marketplace.”

Launched in 2018 with SECO’s support, IFC’s Vietnam SCF Programme has worked to address key market barriers hindering the growth of SCF. Its focus has been on fostering an enabling environment, enhancing institutional readiness, and increasing market demand and awareness. Over the past five years, the programme has contributed to improvements in movable finance regulations, provided tailored SCF strategy advice to four banks, and facilitated up to $33 billion in receivables and inventory financing for 500,000 SMEs.

“The State Bank of Vietnam, in collaboration with IFC and SECO, will continue to review and adjust regulations to foster a more favourable environment for SCF. This includes refining rules for e-financing platform lending and incentivising financial institutions to diversify their offerings, ultimately improving credit access for SMEs,” said deputy governor Nguyen Ngoc Canh.

The second phase of the programme, running over the next five years, will focus on strengthening Vietnam’s legal and regulatory framework to support SCF market development. It will also enhance the institutional capacity of lenders, enabling them to offer comprehensive SCF solutions to local SMEs. A key priority will be increasing awareness and capacity among buyers and suppliers, encouraging greater adoption of SCF across Vietnam.

“Trade is a key driver of Vietnam’s economy, and it will play a central role in the country’s ambition to achieve high-income status by 2045,” said Thomas Jacobs, IFC country manager for Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. “IFC is pleased to be working with SECO and our banking partners to help develop the supply chain finance market, which is a crucial component of the financial ecosystem for SMEs.”

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ADB, Vinschool sign sustainability-linked loan for Vietnam’s education sector

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The Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $150 million loan with Vinschool JSC on March 18.

ADB, Vinschool sign sustainability-linked loan for Vietnam’s education sector

The loan will be used to expand the Vinschool education system, providing educational facilities for 20,400 students in urban areas of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hung Yen.

“This project marks ADB’s first private sector investment in Vietnam’s education sector and highlights our commitment to fostering sustainable development in the country,” said ADB country director for Vietnam Shantanu Chakraborty. “By supporting the country’s first sustainability-linked loan in the education sector, we aim to enhance educational infrastructure while contributing to new residential hub development in the country.”

ADB has syndicated and structured a financing package that includes a $40 million loan from ADB Ordinary Capital Resources, a $35 million loan from the Leading Asia’s Private Sector Infrastructure Fund 2 (LEAP 2) administered by ADB, and $75 million in parallel loans.

The parallel loans comprise $40 million from ILX, an Amsterdam-based emerging market asset manager, and $35 million from the Emerging Africa & Asia Infrastructure Fund, an emerging market infrastructure debt fund established by the Private Infrastructure Development Group and managed by NinetyOne. The loan has been validated through a second-party opinion from DNV Business Assurance Vietnam Co., Ltd.

Vietnam has made significant progress in expanding education coverage, achieving an impressive 98 per cent literacy rate and over 98 per cent primary education enrolment. However, as the nation strives to transition from a developing to a middle-income country, there is a critical need to improve education quality and enhance education access in rapidly urbanising cities. The private sector, including institutions like Vinschool, is vital in bridging this gap.

“We are delighted to partner with ADB and other impact-focused lenders on this groundbreaking initiative. This investment will enable us to provide high-quality learning opportunities to more students while setting a benchmark for sustainable education in Vietnam,” said Vinschool CEO Phan Ha Thuy. “This is a project that underscores Vinschool’s commitment to environmental, social, and governance principles, reinforcing its dedication to sustainable development.”

LEAP 2 is an ADB-managed fund with a $1.5 billion commitment from the Japan International Cooperation Agency. It focuses on sustainable private sector infrastructure projects that reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency, and provide affordable healthcare, education, and communication services to ADB’s developing member countries.

Established in 2013, Vinschool is the largest private school system in Vietnam, offering high-quality education from kindergarten to high school. Vinschool currently serves more than 48,000 students across 54 campuses in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and four other provinces, offering both national curriculum and Cambridge bilingual programmes. Vinschool is a subsidiary of Vingroup JSC, one of Vietnam’s largest conglomerates.

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Canada’s Gene Bio Medical to build production facility in Binh Dinh

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Canadian biotechnology company Gene Bio Medical (GBM) has signed an MoU with Binh Dinh Pharmaceutical – Medical Equipment JSC (BIDIPHAR) to establish a large-scale production facility in the central province of Binh Dinh.

Canada's Gene Bio Medical to build production facility in Binh Dinh
Photo: IPC Binh Dinh

The partnership aims to manufacture high-quality diagnostic test kits using Canadian technology, catering to markets in Vietnam, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and North America.

The BIDIPHAR-GBM joint venture represents an investment of $10–20 million to develop a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Binh Dinh. The collaboration underscores GBM’s commitment to global expansion and pandemic preparedness, positioning the company as a key player in next-generation diagnostics.

Among the joint venture’s key objectives are the advancement of scalable diagnostic solutions for pandemic preparedness and the pursuit of dual listings on the U.S. NASDAQ and Vietnam Stock Exchange within five years.

“Vietnam’s growing healthcare market and strategic location make it an ideal hub for our expansion,” said Jessica Hu, CEO and founder of Gene Bio Medical. “Our partnership with BIDIPHAR will leverage Canadian technology to provide affordable, high-quality diagnostic solutions across global markets. This joint venture aligns with GBM’s mission to enhance global health security through innovation and accessibility.”

GBM, headquartered in British Columbia, Canada, is recognised for its innovations in molecular diagnostics and AI-driven healthcare solutions. The company has an established distribution network across 4,900 independent pharmacies and hospitals in Canada, with its respiratory diagnostic product line expected to receive US Food and Drug Administration approval in 2025.

Binh Dinh has emerged as a premier investment destination in Vietnam, offering a range of incentives for foreign investors, including corporate income tax benefits, import tax exemptions, and land rental incentives.

“We welcome Gene Bio Medical’s investment in Binh Dinh’s biotechnology sector, a key pillar of our economic strategy,” said Lam Hai Giang, Vice Chairman of Binh Dinh People’s Committee. “The province remains committed to supporting international investors by providing world-class infrastructure and regulatory incentives.”

With strong infrastructure and investor-friendly policies, the BIDIPHAR-GBM joint venture is well-positioned for long-term success, contributing to the advancement of Vietnam’s biotechnology sector and expanding its role in the global diagnostics market.

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Start date set for Binh Duong-Ho Chi Minh City metro construction

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Binh Duong province’s first metro line, connecting Binh Duong New City to Ho Chi Minh City’s Suoi Tien, is expected to start construction in 2027 and be completed in 2031.

Start date set for Binh Duong-Ho Chi Minh City metro construction

The information was revealed in a pre-feasibility study of the project, which was approved by Binh Duong People’s Committee on March 13.

According to the study, the metro will involve S1 Station in Binh Duong New City centre, Hoa Phu ward, and Thu Dau Mot city. The ending point connects with Suoi Tien Station of Ho Chi Minh City’s Metro Line 1.

This line will span 32.4km, which includes a depot connecting section, and will pass through Tan Uyen, Thu Dau Mot, Thuan An, and Di An.

With an estimated investment capital of $2.52 billion, the metro line is set to feature 19 stations and with a designated speed of 120km/h.

Once completed, the venture will improve connectivity with Ho Chi Minh City, ease traffic congestion, and create growth drivers for local socioeconomic development.

Binh Duong is considering utilising official development assistance alongside budget capital to implement the construction of the first urban railway project in the locality.

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