The shift follows the implementation of Resolution No. 10-NQ/TW, issued by the Politburo on June 8, 2026, which encourages sustainable, technology-driven investment as a foundation for long-term economic development.
Following its administrative merger, Gia Lai has expanded its development space, positioning itself as a gateway linking the South Central Coast with the Central Highlands while providing access to the East Sea for southern Laos and northeastern Cambodia.
Provincial authorities have also accelerated administrative reforms and improved the investment climate by placing businesses and residents at the centre of public services.
The province attracted 16 FDI projects worth approximately US$1.4 billion in 2025, representing more than 22.3% of its total investment capital. Major projects include Syre Impact AB Group's polyester fabric recycling complex from Sweden, the Van Canh Wind Power Plant by Singapore-based Nexif Ratch Energy SE Asia Co., Ltd., and the Blooming Sky Quy Nhon cultural, sports, entertainment, commercial, service and tourism complex, also backed by Singaporean investors.
Investment momentum continued during the first half of 2026 with new projects in information technology, artificial intelligence and furniture manufacturing.
During the first six months of the year, Gia Lai licensed two new FDI projects worth VND565.6 billion (about US$21 million). They include the Gainshine Vietnam indoor and outdoor furniture factory, invested by Hong Kong-based Lehome International Co., Ltd., with VND315.6 billion (about US$11.7 million), and an artificial intelligence research, software development and production project by South Korea's AM Group Co., Ltd., valued at VND250 billion (about US$9.3 million).
As of June 2026, Gia Lai had 113 FDI projects with combined registered capital of approximately US$2.7 billion. More than half of the projects, 54 in total, worth around US$2.09 billion, are located in the province's economic and industrial zones.
Nguyễn Bay, Director of the Investment Promotion Center under the Department of Finance, said foreign investment is concentrated in manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, tourism, education, and agro-forestry-fisheries processing. Investors come primarily from Singapore, Japan, Germany, South Korea, China, the United States and Sweden.
Despite the progress, provincial officials acknowledge that the quality and effectiveness of FDI remain below expectations.
Nguyễn Bay said annual FDI inflows are still relatively modest, while technology transfer, localisation, integration with domestic enterprises and contributions to higher-value processing remain limited.
The province also faces challenges including insufficient clean industrial land, underdeveloped logistics and digital infrastructure, shortages of highly skilled workers, limited support services for employees, and unresolved issues related to land clearance and technical infrastructure in several industrial parks and clusters.
To address these shortcomings, Gia Lai is shifting its focus toward projects with advanced technology, higher added value, stronger technology transfer and closer connections with domestic businesses rather than pursuing investment solely on the basis of scale.
Nguyễn Văn Châu, Deputy Director of the Department of Finance, said the province has assigned FDI attraction targets to individual agencies as part of its broader objective of achieving double-digit economic growth. Alongside attracting investment, authorities are placing greater emphasis on managing and using FDI capital more effectively to strengthen economic resilience and deepen participation in global supply chains.
Industrial infrastructure is also being expanded to support the province's new investment strategy.
Hà Thúc Duy Sang 1, Standing Deputy General Director of Becamex Bình Định Joint Stock Company, said the Becamex VSIP Bình Định Industrial Park in Canh Vinh commune, Nhon Hoi Economic Zone, has completed first-phase infrastructure, providing 550 hectares of leasable industrial land. Eleven investment projects have been registered, including three FDI projects already in operation.
Since the beginning of the year, the company has stepped up domestic and international investment promotion while partnering with PV GAS Group to develop a CNG/LNG energy supply station to strengthen energy infrastructure for investors.
The US$1 billion polyester fabric recycling complex developed by Sweden's Syre Impact AB Group reflects Gia Lai's strategy of attracting environmentally sustainable, technology-intensive investment.
Nguyễn Mai Hạnh, Senior External Relations Manager in Vietnam for Syre Impact AB, said the company selected Gia Lai because of its favourable investment climate, increasingly modern infrastructure and access to clean energy. The project will recycle textile waste into PET plastic pellets, supporting the circular economy and green transition.
Provincial leaders say this investment strategy is central to implementing Resolution No. 10-NQ/TW by prioritising projects that combine advanced technology, environmental sustainability and significant economic spillover effects.
Speaking at the "ESG - Green Production Transformation Trend" seminar in late June 2026, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Phạm Anh Tuấn said Gia Lai will continue improving the investment environment, expanding infrastructure, advancing digital transformation and strengthening cooperation between businesses and international partners.
He said environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards are becoming increasingly important in improving competitiveness, attracting green capital and enabling deeper integration into global value chains.
By focusing on high-quality, green and technology-driven investment, Gia Lai aims to strengthen sustainable economic growth while enhancing the long-term contribution of foreign investment to the province's development.