Attracting enterprises through transparent and enabling policies

Dong Nai is entering a new stage of development that demands stronger competitiveness, higher governance quality, and greater capacity to attract investment capital. The city aims to draw more enterprises to invest, manufacture, conduct business, and expand activities in import-export and logistics.

A Dong Nai enterprise takes part in a trade connectivity program organized by the Provincial People’s Committee (now Dong Nai City) in November 2025. Photo by Vuong The.

Against this backdrop, building a transparent, business-friendly, and supportive policy framework is viewed as the key to creating fresh momentum for Dong Nai’s economic growth.

Businesses prioritize fast administrative procedures

According to economic experts, what businesses care about today goes beyond tax incentives or land rental costs. More decisive factors include the speed of administrative processing, government transparency, and authorities’ willingness to accompany businesses in resolving difficulties. These are also crucial elements in retaining investors over the long term.

Tran Thanh Hai, Deputy Director General of the Agency of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said Dong Nai enjoys strong development advantages, particularly as major infrastructure projects are being accelerated. However, to fully capitalize on these strengths, the locality must develop hard, soft, and digital infrastructure in a synchronized manner, ranging from transport systems, warehouses, and inland container depots to data management and supply-chain connectivity. This endeavor, he noted, would also strengthen Dong Nai’s attractiveness for enterprises engaged in import-export activities.

The business community also expects tax and customs policies to be implemented in a synchronized and consistent manner across localities, alongside support mechanisms that create more favorable conditions for small and medium-sized enterprises investing and operating in Dong Nai.

Echoing this view, Vu Ngoc Long, Director of the Dong Nai Department of Industry and Trade, said enterprises consistently express a willingness to complete administrative procedures locally, provided the process is streamlined and efficient. Because production and operating costs remain a key consideration, businesses naturally gravitate toward locations offering greater convenience and lower transaction costs. Timely policy updates, fast administrative processing, and prompt problem-solving therefore rank among their top concerns.

Sharing this perspective, Dang Van Diem, Chairman of the Dong Nai Business Federation and General Director of Thong Quan JSC in Tran Bien ward, said his company provides logistics and import-export services for both domestic and international partners. Based on exchanges with foreign partners, he noted that many enterprises are prepared to shift their import-export operations to Dong Nai if administrative procedures are streamlined and more business-friendly.

“Some enterprises importing large volumes of materials, equipment, and goods are still completing customs procedures outside the locality. Therefore, if Dong Nai can meet business expectations in this area, it will help generate additional revenue for the city budget,” Diem said.

Creating a more enabling environment

In recent years, Dong Nai has stepped up administrative reform efforts, shortening processing times for investment, construction, and land-related dossiers. Many procedures are now available online, helping businesses save both time and costs. The city has also maintained regular dialogue with enterprises to listen to feedback and address difficulties in production and business activities.

In the customs sector, the Customs Sub-Department of Region XVIII is accelerating digital transformation alongside administrative reform, management modernization, and trade facilitation measures. Digital platforms such as the customs–enterprise information exchange system and an AI-enabled Zalo Official Account offering 24/7 information lookup and consultation support are being deployed to help enterprises reduce procedural processing time and compliance costs. The Customs Sub-Department of Region XVIII also maintains automatic clearance for 100% of green-channel declarations within one to three seconds, while assigning officials to process urgent shipments on weekends and public holidays.

According to Le Thanh Van, Deputy Head of the Customs Sub-Department of Region XVIII, Dong Nai is home to the large-scale Phuoc An Port, which has strong potential to attract international shipping lines and import-export businesses. However, as the port has only recently commenced operations, several internationally recognized certifications are still being processed. The customs authority will continue working with Phuoc An Port and relevant agencies to secure these approvals. Once recognized by international maritime authorities and officially incorporated into global shipping systems, the port will be in a much stronger position to attract major carriers.

Dong Nai has officially become Vietnam’s seventh city. In this context, further removing institutional, procedural, and resource bottlenecks is regarded as a prerequisite for businesses to grow rapidly, strongly, and sustainably. The city is not only listening but also taking practical action to resolve enterprises’ difficulties and obstacles, while recognizing businesses as a core pillar of the economy.

Nguyen Kim Long, Member of the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee and Standing Vice Chairman of the City People’s Committee, affirmed that Dong Nai is continuing to step up administrative procedure reform, shorten the time needed to process applications, expand online public services, and strengthen dialogue with enterprises. However, shortcomings remain in the management, administration, and support of enterprises, as well as in efforts to promote economic development across sectors. Therefore, the city’s urgent task is to create a favorable environment to attract enterprises to invest, do business, and carry out tax and customs declarations in the locality, thereby contributing to overall growth. A transparent investment environment, a dynamic administration, and open policy mechanisms will help Dong Nai attract more resources and create a foundation for the city’s sustainable development.

By V.The – Translated by M.Nguyet, Minho