A recent survey conducted by KOTRA showed that 82.8 percent of RoK businesses had a positive view of Vietnam’s business climate and 87.8 percent said they would not withdraw their projects despite current economic difficulties. However, the ratio of RoK investors satisfied with Vietnam’s investment climate felt slightly from 95 percent in 2005 to 93 percent in 2006 and 93.3 percent in 2007, the survey noted.

Investors listed poor information provision, cumbersome administrative procedures and the lack of skilled labourers as the leading problems, saying that these barriers might limit the influx of investment into Vietnam. Over 40 percent of those surveyed complained about higher trade expenses in Vietnam over other countries and the cumbersome administrative procedures.

In order to provide a better environment for RoK investors, the country should continue to improve its investment climate, carefully consider extra business costs and develop adequate support industries, the representative said.

By late 2008, the RoK had injected US$15.8 billion into Vietnam, making it the fourth largest foreign investor in the country. Approximately 1,600 RoK firms are currently operating in Vietnam, accounting for 21 percent of the country’s FDI value and creating 354,000 jobs.