EVFTA gives VN industrial real estate market a boost

THE EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) will have a positive impact on Vietnam’s real estate market, especially the industrial real estate, experts said.

EVFTA is a landmark deal that promotes the industrial and export sectors in Vietnam by removing 99 per cent of tariffs on goods from both sides.

Vietnam’s industrial zones have been attracting attention from investors, especially those from Europe.

Savills Vietnam deputy managing director Troy Griffiths said the trade deal showed the Vietnamese government’s commitment to turning the country into a leading manufacturing destination in Asia.

According to Griffiths, bilateral trade between Vietnam and the EU will rise as a result of the deal, bringing an increase in foreign direct investment and jobs and offering more opportunities in all real estate segments.

By facilitating the application of the latest production technologies and strengthening worker training, the Vietnamese government has gradually eliminated fears among foreign businesses over feasibility, a lack of skilled human resources and rising costs.

Improving the transparency of the business environment will help reduce investors’ concerns and raise production quality standards in Vietnam.

Another report from V NDirect a lso showed industria l rea l estate could benefit from t he shift of factories from ot her countries to Vietnam as investors seek preferentia l policies from free trade agreements (FTAs) including EV FTA.

Industrial property is considered the backbone for any developing manufacturing economy.

Foreign property consulting firm CBRE said industrial parks (IPs) will continue to grow. A standard occupancy rate of about 70 to 90 per cent will be maintained and infrastructure will play a decisive role in the choice of rental locations.

New IPs are scheduled to be established both in the north and south of Vietnam.

Nguyen Tran Nam, former deputy minister of construction, said industrial real estate had the potential to develop in the short, medium and long term if investors took the opportunity and benefit from government policies.

He said the government should renew their management methods to help industrial real estate develop.

Priorit y should be given to improv ing state management of the propert y market, especia lly t he industria l rea l estate market, as well as follow ing internationa l standards. Localities should pay attention to planning on industria l land with a focus on clean and env ironmentally friendly IPs, he said.

He addded transparency was a requirement when joining newgeneration FTAs. Planning policies should minimise risks to attract foreign investors and the government should pay attention to simplifying administrative procedures.

Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM) director Nguyen Dinh Cung said Vietnam’s industrial real estate was more attractive than that of most countries in the region. Low labour cost and preferential corporate tax rates would continue to prove a boon for the sector.

By next year, Vietnam is expected to have around 500 IPs with a total area of 500,000ha.