HANOI, Oct 30 (Reuters) - Vietnamese electric car maker

VinFast has reached a non-binding deal with a consortium

of Emirati investors to receive at least $1 billion funding,

according to a person with direct knowledge of the agreement.

The source told Reuters there was no clear timeframe for the

possible disbursement from the group, led by Emirates Driving

Company, a provider of driving education services in

Abu Dhabi.

Emirates Driving Company did not immediately respond to an

email seeking confirmation and Vingroup, the parent

company of VinFast, declined to comment.

Earlier this week, Vietnam signed a comprehensive economic

partnership agreement with the United Arab Emirates, its first

free-trade deal with a Middle East country.