Of this amount, US$2.89 billion, almost half, was sunk into investments in the City and immediate surrounding region, said Tran Vinh Tuyen, vice chairman of HCM City People’s Committee. Hong Kong businesses have invested in a wide range of industries including leasing and business services, finance, mining, wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing, real estate, and construction, said Mr Tuyen.This investment has facilitated trade, with Vietnam exports to Hong Kong jumping last year 33.9% to US$6.5 billion while on the reverse, exports from Vietnam to Hong Kong were up 14.7% to US$9.8 billion.