INVESTMENT COST CHANGES FOR AGRICULTURAL PROCESSING PLANT

by

Nguyen Nam Cuong

Abstract

Vietnam is a developing country with about 70% of the population works in the fields related to agriculture and rural. Through a process of development since the Doi Moi to now, Vietnam has become one of the world’s leading exporters of rice and many agricultural commodities such as coffee bean, cashew nut, black pepper… However, almost of agricultural commodities are exported in raw material types or semi products. On other hand, the procurement and exporting system has not been paying attention enough to develop correspondingly.

As the result, the value of exported agricultural products of Vietnam is normally underestimated in the international markets because of low quality. The low margin of agriculture products, in turn, contributes to increase income gap between rural and urban area. Therefore, one of the key objectives of the Vietnamese Government is to develop systems for storage and processing of agricultural products, improving production and processing capacities, autonomy in purchasing and export of agricultural commodities with quality, contributing to improving Vietnam’s position on world agricultural markets.

Executive summary  

Rationale of research

This research has been conducted to find out the way for capital estimates and analysis of estimates

Through frame work, the focus of evaluation is on financial problems analyze and change in actual cash flows and why these changes occur.

Objectives of study

To propose a solution through analysis, doing general feasibility study of project and analysis, evaluation of project cost changes.

Methodology

The qualitative approach has been used to resolve issues during construction to achieve performance.

The process includes data collection, processing and data analysis. Considering mutual relationship inside and outside using standards, normative in accordance and propose solution.

Findings and conclusion

Investment project being important document for owner to assess investment decision, owner can see big picture of project.

However the important factor in investment project is construction cost, which always seen with bias. The feasibility study is always dependant on owner and consultant and project management methods so as to reduce risk in cost fluctuation. And owner can control cash flows.

 List of factors affecting investment project

• Expertise and experience in project management of the Owner.
• The financial capability of the Owner.
• The professional ability and knowledge related to the field of investment consultancy and project design.
• Ability to coordinate the implementation of tasks between the Owner and contractors design and consulting in the preparation period of investment.
• Ability to coordinate between the Owners and construction contractors in the construction process.
• The professionalism of the construction contractor.
• Mechanisms and incentives to support investment in the locality.

The agricultural processing plant from initial stage to implementation is long process with constant change; thus success of project depends upon owner control on such movements and ensuring quality and time of investment.

During the project, the change in cost is often by different reasons, divided into four stages.

1.      The cost of construction in terms of rates of investment costs for Feasibility Study.

2.      The cost determined by the total estimated cost.

3.      The value determined by the construction contractor's proposal is approved.

4.      The actual value of the settlement package.

It is almost impossible to determine the final cost of each package at construction stage except package having fix-price, and change in cost can only be observed in above three steps.

For the changes in fourth stage that can determine final value,it is necessary to consider risk in construction process

·         Project area actually decreased compared to the record.

·         The detail design is inappropriate to the construction.

·         Price volatility of construction materials.

·         Difficult to find workers and construction equipment.

·         The impact of weather on the construction process.

·         Fluctuation of currency exchange rates.

The owner can have actively appropriate countermeasures, to minimize the negative impacts, including the choice of contractual form, in accordance, and contract with the consultant of supervisor, design consultants and contractors to strictly control the changes arising in the construction process. These are also the mission of Project Management.