Industrial sectors, services set to become key pillars for Quang Tri’s economic development

Chairman of Quang Tri Province People’s Committee Vo Van Hung shared with Quang Tri Newspaper the province’s endeavors to achieve the objective of building a resilient and sustainable economy, in alignment with the envisioned goals outlined in its 2021-2030 development plan.

The overall goal of the provincial planning for Quang Tri for the period 2021-2030, with a vision towards 2050, is to achieve a level of development that places the province in the group of relatively developed provinces nationwide. This involves having a fundamental economic structure as an industrial and service-oriented province, positioning itself as one of the comprehensive economic centers in the North Central region and the coastal areas of Central Vietnam. Could you please share the tasks and solutions to realize these objectives?

With the goal of elevating Quang Tri to a level of development within the group of relatively developed provinces nationwide, the development perspective emphasizes the rational and efficient utilization of natural resources. This includes innovation and creativity, implementing digital transformation with three main pillars (digital economy, digital society, digital government), fostering green economy, circular economy, digital economy, and other economic sectors that align with the natural characteristics and development context, ensuring harmony between economic growth and environmental protection, and adapting to climate change.

To realize these outlined objectives, Quang Tri Province identifies key focal tasks, including the development of strategic industries and sectors. It aims to establish Quang Tri as the clean energy hub of the Central region and to position tourism as a spearhead economic sector. The province plans to build a high-quality and efficient logistics infrastructure, develop processing industries with the application of advanced and high-tech technologies, promote commodity agriculture with the adoption of high-tech and eco-friendly agricultural practices. Environmental protection, ecosystem restoration, and biodiversity conservation are emphasized, along with the exploitation and enhancement of unique ecological values. Special attention is given to creating conditions for all social strata to participate in and benefit from the fruits of development, ensuring social welfare.

To implement these perspectives and achieve the planning objectives by 2030 and the vision for 2050, Quang Tri province defines a comprehensive set of seven solution groups. These encompass mobilizing investment capital, developing human resources, advancing science and technology, establishing effective mechanisms and policies, managing and controlling urban and rural development, fostering development linkages, and organizing and monitoring the implementation of the plan.

Specifically, there is a need to continue streamlining administrative procedures, improving the investment and business environment, enhancing provincial competitiveness, and efficiently utilizing public investment capital. Priority will be given to pivotal projects and those with regional linkage characteristics, serving as drivers for development. Additionally, efforts will focus on enhancing the quality of both state and enterprise management within the province.

In the planning, one of the breakthrough steps identified for the development of Quang Tri province is the mobilization and diversification of resources to implement key transportation projects in the area, aiming to build a synchronized transportation infrastructure.

The launch of Quang Tri Airport Project. Photo: T.L

Can you provide information on the significant achievements the province has made in terms of investing in transportation infrastructure and enhancing the integrated connectivity of the transportation network in the region during the recent period?

Despite significant and coordinated investments in transportation infrastructure in Quang Tri province over the past years, the reality has shown an overload compared to the demands of local economic and social development. Therefore, Quang Tri needs to further invest in and strengthen its transportation infrastructure. The province has identified transportation as a strategic breakthrough, taking a proactive step to serve economic and social development, as well as security and defense. Consequently, the province consistently focuses on promoting public investment, private investment, foreign direct investment (FDI), selectively attracting FDI to develop transportation infrastructure.

In recent times, various localities within the province have simultaneously implemented the clearance of land for multiple key projects. To expedite progress, at the beginning of 2023, the province established a Task Force under the Provincial Steering Committee for Land Clearance to better execute the implementation of key projects, particularly in the transportation sector.

Noteworthy transportation projects include the coastal road project connecting the East-West Economic Corridor through the districts of Vinh Linh, Gio Linh, Trieu Phong, and the city of Dong Ha, with a total length of nearly 55 km and an investment capital exceeding VND2 trillion (US$81.4 million). The project is scheduled for implementation from 2023 to 2025. Another significant project is National Highway 15D, stretching 70 km from the La Lay International Border Gate (connecting with Laos) to the sea in My Thuy.

Recently, the Ministry of Transport sent a document to the Ministry of Planning and Investment for consideration, proposing the Prime Minister’s approval of the project to upgrade and renovate national roads connecting with Laos, utilizing World Bank loans. This includes National Highway 15D with a total investment of VND1.4 trillion ($57 million), to be implemented over 5 years after the effective date of the sponsorship agreement (2024-2028).

The Eastern Bypass of Dong Ha city (with the construction tender for the section from Mieu Slope in Gio Linh to Dong Ha already completed, and the 4.2 km section passing through Dong Ha having finished preparation for investment, ready for immediate deployment upon the Prime Minister’s allocation of annual funds), and the Cam Lo-Lao Bao Expressway project are urgently finalizing documentation.

Recently, on December 15, 2023, the Quang Tri Airport Project was initiated. The project covers an area of over 265 hectares, with a total investment of over VND5.83 trillion ($237.4 million) in two phases, led by the Consortium of Investment and Infrastructure Development Company T&T under T&T Group and CIENCO4 Corporation. The project aims to build a Grade 4C airport and a Grade II military airport, capable of serving up to 5 million passengers and handling 25,500 tons of cargo per year.

This airport is one of the 28 airports outlined in the approved Transport Development Plan for the period up to 2030.

The Quang Tri Airport project serves as a crucial driving force with a significant role in promoting the province’s economic and social development. It provides favorable conditions for attracting specific investments in the East-Southern Quang Tri Economic Zone and contributes to ensuring security, defense, and control of border areas, islands, and archipelagos in the Central and Northern Gulf regions. It also serves search and rescue operations in the East Sea.

The My Thuy Seaport project, led by My Thuy International Port Joint Stock Company (MTIP), has a total capital of VND14.2 trillion ($578 million), with an implementation period of 50 years. After being interrupted due to complications related to land acquisition and some associated procedures, the project is set to restart in the first quarter of 2024.

This is an opportune time to implement the project as the conditions for developing My Thuy Seaport are gradually improving. This includes the formation of connected areas, comprehensive investment in transportation infrastructure, and airports to develop logistics. Therefore, building a deep-water port in My Thuy is crucial and necessary, opening up an additional gateway to the East Sea and creating additional economic growth for Quang Tri province in the context of global economic integration and development.

Government and local officials look at the Quang Tri Industrial Park Model. Photo: T.L

Significantly enhance the business investment environment, integrating with administrative reforms and modernize management to meet the demands of development. These breakthrough steps have been identified, so how will the province implement and execute these breakthroughs?

In addition to resolutely implementing investments in accordance with the plan and closely controlling the construction and approval of public investment projects, Quang Tri province is intensifying administrative reforms in investment-related areas. The province is fully implementing state incentives, support policies, and investment incentives.

This reality requires a renewal of thinking and methods in building and organizing the implementation of short-term and long-term economic and social development plans. Only through this approach can the mobilization, allocation, and effective utilization of resources, prioritizing the most reasonable order of state and social resources for planned development investments, be achieved.

With this new approach, coupled with the advantageous potential of Quang Tri and favorable policies for projects in industries such as renewable energy, agro-processing, aquaculture, tourism, and trade and services, we believe that the goals of attracting investment will improve further, thereby promoting economic growth.

On the other hand, to attract investors, we have no choice but to improve the investment environment, especially by focusing on administrative procedure reforms to facilitate investors from the stage of exploration to project implementation. This includes administrative procedures directly related to the public and businesses. Simultaneously, control administrative procedures rigorously, openly, and transparently through various means.

Moreover, the provincial People’s Committee has issued Decision No. 2563/2015/QD-UBND on implementing a single-window mechanism in resolving administrative procedures related to organizations and individuals at the provincial-level state administrative agencies, applying to agencies issuing investment certificates, land use certificates, and supporting land clearance procedures.

We have also assigned very specific responsibilities to the agencies supporting investors. Specifically, for projects investing in industrial parks, the Lao Bao Border-Gate Economic Zone, and the Southeast Quang Tri Economic Zone, the Management Board of the Economic Zone takes the lead; for projects outside these zones, the Department of Planning and Investment is the focal point. Relevant specialized management agencies must create the maximum conditions for investors when they seek information, cooperate, and invest in local businesses.

Cua Viet Port. Photo: T.N

Thus, each investment area has an agency responsible for supporting the resolution of administrative procedures, avoiding the shifting of responsibilities. This approach has shortened the processing time compared to regulations, reducing it to 10-15 days. Emphasis is placed on innovating investment promotion activities, strongly improving the investment environment to attract FDI, especially strategic investors and large-scale projects, playing a motivating role. Actively leverage the support of ministries and sectors to mobilize and effectively implement ODA projects. Strengthen promotion activities and investment calls.

In particular, support organizations, businesses, and investors in understanding legal matters, investment policies, procedures, potential, markets, partners, and investment opportunities. Implement projects after obtaining the investment registration certificate effectively.

The provincial plan extends from now until 2030, with a vision to 2050. This shapes the development orientation of each industry and locality in relation to other areas in the region.

The provincial People’s Committee will continue to consolidate and streamline its organizational structure, intensify administrative procedure reforms, and minimize inconvenience for businesses and the public. This will liberate the working capacity, energy, and potential of Quang Tri for development. With strong efforts to improve policies and the investment environment, we believe that Quang Tri will become an attractive and promising destination for both domestic and foreign investors.

Thank you for your time!

Ho Nguyen Kha - Ngoc Mai