Gov’t chief commits to equal treatment for automobile manufacturers

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (6th from left) cuts the ribbon to launch Thaco Mazda automobile manufacturing plant- the most modern and biggest one in ASEAN - at the Chu Lai Open Economic Zone in the central province of Quang Nam on March 25, 2018. Photo: VGP

National Assembly Vice Chairman Uong Chu Luu, Special Adviser to the Japanese Cabinet Isao Iijima, and leaders of a number of ministries, agencies and localities also attended the event. 

The Government will have issue proper policies to ensure fairness between locally-manufactured and imported cars and protection of local manufacturers must be in line with Viet Nam’s international commitments, PM Phuc emphasized.

Import tariffs on automobiles from ASEAN member countries have been reduced to zero percent since the beginning of 2018 based on the regional integration process of the country’s automobile sector, leading to further competition.

In that context, it is encouraging that Thaco of Truong Hai Group and Vinfast of Vingroup have emerged to become part of the game on the domestic market.

The Thaco-Mazda plant is said to be the most modern and largest in ASEAN, covering an area of 30.3ha in the Chu Lai Open Economic Zone. The plant is equipped with cutting-edge technologies, meeting global standards of Japan’s Mazda Group.   

The US$528 million project was announced by Japan’s Mazda at the Investment Promotion Conference into Quang Nam in 2017, which was attended by PM Phuc.

After one year, the first phase of the project was completed with half of the designed capacity of 100,000 units per year.

The same day, PM Phuc was also present at the inaugural ceremony of the Japan-Chu Lai international maritime routes and welcomed the first vessel to the Chu Lai Port.

By Thuy Dung