A worker at a laboratory in the Sai Gon Hi-tech Park. Registered capital into the hi-tech park had exceeded US$4 billion for 67 projects, according to the park's management board.

Speaking at the 12th annual anniversary ceremony of the park held on Friday, Dr Le Hoai Quoc, head of SHTP's management board, said nearly 40 per cent of the staff at enterprises in the park were college and university graduates.

He said the value of products turned out by tenants in the SHTP in the past 12 years had exceeded $9 billion. Most of these products were for export.

However, the value of materials, components and equipment imported for operation of the manufacturers in SHTP over the same period amounted to over $8 bilion.

Quoc said from now till 2020, SHTP would focus on efforts to attract hi-tech enterprises and raise the localisation rate of products, aiming to turn the park into the most powerful hi-tech park in Viet Nam.

Also speaking at the ceremony, the deputy chairman of HCM City People's Committee, Le Manh Ha, said that, with total capital mobilisation of $1.8 billion, accounting for nearly two-thirds of total capital registered in HCM City over the same period, this year marked a milestone in the development of SHTP.

He said the investments made by hi-tech groups in the park also indicated the potential for scientific and technological development in HCM City.