Actis and An Phát High-Technology Industrial Park Company Limited signed a co-operation agreement. — Photo courtesy of the firm

HÀ NỘI — Actis – a leading global investor in sustainable infrastructure will invest more than US$20 million in An Phát 1 Industrial Park to own 49 per cent of the company’s shares. 

Actis and An Phát High-Technology Industrial Park Company Limited (An Phát Complex), a member of An Phát Holdings, have signed a co-operation agreement for the investment. Additionally, the two parties have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to form a ready-built factory and warehouse (RBF/RBW) development joint venture programme worth $250 million.

Under the MoU, the two sides would focus on two areas including the development of industrial parks and RBF/RBW for lease.

Brian Chinappi, Partner and Actis’ Head of Asia Real Estate, said: “The industrial and logistics sector is consistent with our strategy to invest in sustainable infrastructure in growth markets in Asia and globally.

"We see compelling opportunities to pursue our build-to-core strategy in the industrial and logistics sector, reinforced by what we at Actis refer to as the 4Ds: Demographic shifts, Digital disruption, Deficient supply and Demand for yield.

“Việt Nam’s industrial and logistics real estate market is poised for outsized growth given the sustained relocation of manufacturing base from markets like China, strong growth in domestic exports and imports, and an accelerating shift to e-commerce retailing.

"An Phát Holdings has a strong track record in this space, a clear development strategy, and like Actis, it is fully committed to sustainable development. An Phát 1 Industrial Park will be the beginning of our strategic partnership with An Phat Holdings and we are excited to jointly pursue industrial park and RBF/RBW development opportunities on a large scale,” he added.

Đinh Xuân Cường, Vice Chairman, Chief Executive Officer of An Phát Holdings, said: “This is the first step in the long-term co-operation between An Phát Holdings and Actis, aiming to develop An Phát 1 Industrial Park into a leading, green industrial park in the North.

"For us, this co-operation provides funds and also provides An Phát Holdings with more resources to deploy to new projects and unlock potential of the industrial real estate segment. Along with that, we can improve reputation, product and service quality, and maximise operating capacity of An Phát 1 Industrial Park.”

Actis has a strong emerging markets heritage across Africa, Asia and Latin America, raising more than $19 billion in over 260 investments in the last 20 years. It connects the world’s leading institutional investors with investment opportunities in sustainable infrastructure sectors. 

At present, the company has a team of more than 120 investment professionals, working across 17 offices globally.

An Phát 1 Industrial Park is one of its four new industrial parks in Hải Dương Province, with an area of 180 ha in phase 1 with charter capital of VNĐ375 billion. When it comes into operation, An Phát 1 Industrial Park aims to attract 50 – 70 manufacturing plants, creating jobs for approximately 12,000 workers, and reaching a 100 per cent occupancy rate by 2024.

The IP is at the site clearance stage in preparation for construction to begin in July. It is expected that the IP will come into operation and start commercial activities from the fourth quarter of 2021. — VNS