Increased FDI capital creates momentum for industrial park credit

Outstanding credit balances in industrial parks and export processing zones in Ho Chi Minh City have continuously increased sharply in recent times, reflecting the development of the foreign-invested manufacturing sector, followed by the need for capital to invest in expanding production and business.

According to statistics from the State Bank of Vietnam, Region 2 branch, by the end of September 2025, outstanding credit balance in industrial parks and export processing zones in Ho Chi Minh City reached VND 283,764 billion, an increase of 7.7% compared to the end of last year and higher than the average growth rate of credit in the whole city in the first 9 months (7.33%).

According to the State Bank of Vietnam, Region 2 branch, the important factor for this capital flow growth is the flexible credit policy and the resonance of many factors: increased foreign investment in Vietnam; and the expansion of banking-enterprise connection activities leading to credit growth.

Ms. Tran Thi Ngoc Lien - Deputy Director of the State Bank of Vietnam, Region 2 Branch, said that industrial park credit increased rapidly due to the favorable investment environment, credit institutions proactively expanded preferential loan packages, and supported capital for production and business. Along with that, the bank-enterprise connection activities promoted by the State Bank have created conditions for industrial park credit to increase steadily.

The increase in actual disbursement of foreign direct investment will expand bank lending for production and business.

Economic experts explain that businesses expand production, increasing demand for medium and long-term capital.

Along with that, the city government is promoting the improvement of infrastructure, logistics and creating conditions for the construction of new industrial parks such as Pham Van Hai Industrial Park, the expanded Cu Chi Northwest Industrial Park, etc.

The need to expand production has led to a 7.33% increase in credit growth in the area, of which medium and long-term credit has increased by 10.72%, the highest level in many years. Commercial banks in the area said that enterprises in the textile, electronics, precision mechanics and food processing sectors are the group with the need to borrow to invest in production lines, machinery, etc. "Loans from 3-5 years are being granted more, focusing on factory expansion projects, green energy and automation," said a bank in Ho Chi Minh City.

According to the Department of Finance, registered FDI capital in Ho Chi Minh City in the first 9 months of 2025 reached 7.127 billion USD, an increase of 37.43% over the same period last year. Of which, there were 1,395 new projects (1.389 billion USD), 350 projects with adjusted capital (an increase of 2.457 billion USD) and 1,830 capital contribution and share purchase transactions (3.28 billion USD). However, the city's FDI disbursement rate only reached 65% (4.63 billion USD) - equivalent to the national average, showing that registered capital has not yet flowed strongly into actual production.

According to experts, this is both a challenge and an opportunity for the banking system. When FDI projects are promoted to disburse faster, domestic credit demand will also increase, creating a spillover effect on industrial zones.

In addition, industrial park credit can also come from the momentum of high-tech industrial projects. For example, the Avery Dennison – Shenzhou joint venture factory in the Southeast Industrial Park (Cu Chi), a large-scale project combining traditional industry and digital solutions. This factory produces RFID smart labels, digital identification solutions and high-end garment materials, serving the global supply chain. The project is considered a “plus point” for Ho Chi Minh City industry, both creating jobs and stimulating supporting businesses in the garment, logistics, transportation, packaging and e-commerce industries, thereby leading to a widespread demand for credit capital.

According to Avery Dennison representative, “the factory is designed to be flexible and oriented towards sustainable development” in line with the city’s green industry strategy. This is one of the typical projects representing the trend of FDI shifting deeper into the production value chain in Vietnam.

Industrial park credit in Ho Chi Minh City also benefits from the trend of shifting global supply chains to ASEAN. According to the Gateway to ASEAN report by UOB, FDI in the region reached 225 billion USD last year and could increase to 370 billion USD by 2030. Vietnam is among the top three countries that global businesses prioritize to invest in, thanks to its strategic location, competitive costs and rapidly developing financial system.

Experts say that to maintain the growth of industrial park credit, Ho Chi Minh City needs to accelerate the actual disbursement of FDI. When investment capital is put into production, domestic borrowing demand will increase naturally, creating a solid financial - production - industrial interaction chain.

According to the Department of Finance, the city is promoting reform of investment procedures, shortening licensing time, speeding up site clearance and building new industrial zones, in order to improve capital absorption capacity. “Fast disbursement means real money flows into the economy, creating jobs, collecting budget revenue and expanding production capacity – which is also the premise for sustainable credit growth,” said a representative of the Department.

According to experts, the strong flow of FDI capital into Ho Chi Minh City has partly shown the city's position as the leading industrial and financial center in Vietnam.

Source: https://thoibaonganhang.vn/von-fdi-tang-tao-dong-luc-cho-tin-dung-khu-cong-nghiep-173007.html