On the morning of January 30, 2026, Mr. Vo Trong Hai – Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee (PPC) – received Ms. Jareeporn Jarukornsakul, Chief Executive Officer of WHA Group, and a delegation of senior leaders from the Group.

Attending the reception were Mr. Bui Thanh An – Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Permanent Vice Chairman of the PPC; representatives of the provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee; the Head of the Management Board of the Southeast Nghe An Economic Zone; and leaders of the following departments and agencies: Finance, Agriculture and Environment, Foreign Affairs, and the Office of the Provincial People’s Committee; as well as leaders of Trung Loc and Than Linh communes.

Overview from the reception

Ms. Jareeporn Jarukornsakul, Chief Executive Officer of WHA Group speaks

On behalf of the Group's leadership, she extended New Year greetings, wishing good health and success to the leaders of Nghe An province.

Expressing sincere gratitude for the province’s support for the Group’s projects over the past time, the Chief Executive Officer of WHA Group stated that 2025 witnessed many significant advances in investment in Vietnam, particularly in Nghe An Province. Following tariff-related difficulties from the United States in 2025, foreign direct investment (FDI) flows have shown strong signs of recovery upon entering 2026. As evidence, at the very beginning of 2026, WHA successfully signed a land lease agreement with its first customer in WHA’s industrial park in Nghe An. Based on the Group’s recent site inspections, construction progress by secondary investors has been positive, and many factories are expected to commence operations later this year. The Group also noted that labor demand in the near future will be a critical issue requiring careful preparation. According to available information, each factory is expected to require between 20,000 and 30,000 workers; therefore, the total workforce needed by these factories next year could reach 40,000 to 50,000 employees.

Chairman of the PPC Vo Trong Hai highly appreciates the investment effectiveness of WHA Group in Nghe An and affirms the provincial leadership's commitment to always accompany and support the group

On behalf of the leaders of Nghe An Province, Chairman of the PPCVo Trong Hai expressed his sincere appreciation to the leadership of WHA Group for their visit and extended his best wishes on the occasion of Vietnam’s Lunar New Year. The Chairman highly valued WHA Group’s investment projects in the province and reaffirmed that the province’s consistent policy is to create the most favorable conditions for foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprises. The province is committed to further promoting administrative reforms, particularly by shortening the time required for licensing and investment approval procedures in accordance with directives from the central authorities, in order to support businesses in implementing their projects as quickly as possible.

The Chairman of the PPC emphasized that Nghe An possesses an abundant labor force. The province is currently focusing on substantial investment in universities, vocational training centers, and technical schools to enhance the skills of its workforce. The goal is to ensure a steady supply of well-trained employees for corporations immediately upon graduation. In addition, the province recognizes that in order to attract Nghe An natives who are working abroad or in other provinces to return home, enterprises need to offer appropriate salary levels and welfare policies.

Although he has only recently assumed his position in Nghe An Province, the Chairman of the PPC has personally visited factories and project sites to gain a clear understanding of the situation and promptly address difficulties faced by enterprises. Nghe An is making strong efforts to complete a synchronized infrastructure system, ranging from cleared land funds and transportation networks to airports, seaports, and housing areas for workers.

Regarding the economic situation, last year Nghe An achieved a GRDP growth rate of 8.44%, with state budget revenue reaching approximately 29,211 billion VND. Social order and security, as well as social welfare, have remained stable. In line with directives from the central authorities, the province has set a target of achieving double-digit growth in the coming period. To accomplish this goal, the province looks forward to continued strong investment from major corporations such as WHA. The Chairman of the PPC affirmed that the provincial leadership will always work closely and directly with investors to foster an effective and business-friendly environment.

Kim Oanh