Quang Tri pushes for new investments

The rapid advancement of digital technology is opening up new opportunities for innovation in investment promotion activities. Embracing a strong commitment to administrative reform, the Quang Tri Economic Zone Authority has been proactively applying digital transformation to its investment promotion efforts. The goal is to create a transparent, efficient, and investor-friendly environment for both domestic and international investors.

In both Hon La Economic Zone and Southeastern Quang Tri Economic Zone, investment promotion activities have seen significant progress in recent years. The Quang Tri Economic Zone Authority has gradually integrated information technology platforms into project introduction, investor engagement, guidance on investment procedures, licensing processes, and land clearance.

A key highlight is the continuous operation and upgrade of the investment promotion portal at bqlkkt.quangtri.gov.vn. The portal serves as an open-access gateway that enables investors to conveniently search for information on policies, investment project portfolios, land use status, and the implementation progress of major projects in the area. This platform plays a crucial role in promoting the region’s potential and competitive advantages while enhancing transparency in investment management.

Investment promotion materials have been digitized and published online to better support investors during the research and market analysis phase. At the same time, the Authority continues to print and distribute traditional promotional materials at investment forums and conferences held domestically and internationally to diversify communication channels.

In administrative processing, the Authority has strongly implemented the use of an electronic one-stop system and digital signatures. Investors can now submit applications online, track the status of their documents, and receive results electronically. This has reduced processing time and travel costs, especially for businesses from other provinces and foreign investors.

Speaking with us, Deputy Director of the Economic Zone Authority, Nguyen Quoc Khanh, stated that digital transformation is a key priority in the Authority’s administrative reform agenda. It not only helps businesses shorten the investment procedure timeline but, more importantly, demonstrates transparency, professionalism, and a supportive attitude from local authorities toward the business community. Following the administrative restructuring that merged the former Quang Binh and Quang Tri provinces, the new Quang Tri Economic Zone Authority has inherited and enhanced the technological infrastructure, human resources, and digital workflows from both previous entities. This consolidation has enabled the Authority to manage a broader and more diverse economic zone ecosystem, creating favorable conditions for developing a larger and more professional investment promotion system.

Leveraging existing digital infrastructure, the Authority has started conducting regular internal meetings via online platforms. This initiative helps save time and administrative costs while ensuring constant communication between departments. The next objective is to use the same online platform to hold meetings and consultations with out-of-province and international investors. This approach aims to reduce geographical distance, enhance interaction, and provide timely support from the early stages of exploring investment opportunities.

At present, the Authority is developing a centralized digital database that includes all ongoing, completed, and upcoming projects. This database integrates detailed information on land availability, progress of land clearance, infrastructure readiness, and current land use. It serves as a valuable tool for analyzing and assessing investment potential across different sectors.

To move toward a smart investment promotion system, the Authority aims to apply digital tools such as interactive digital maps, artificial intelligence for investment trend analysis, chatbots for information support, and dashboards for project progress tracking in the near future. Although this is a long-term direction that requires substantial and synchronized investment, the Authority is determined to pursue it as a strategic objective, with investor needs placed at the center of service delivery.

Deputy Director Nguyen Quoc Khanh emphasized that the Authority considers digital technology a vital tool for improving state management capacity and attracting investment. All innovations are driven by the goal of improving the business environment and using investor satisfaction as the key measure of service quality.

Beyond technical infrastructure, the Authority also focuses on enhancing the digital capabilities of its staff. Training programs on public administration software, data analytics, and digital tools have been conducted to build a team of digitally competent public servants capable of managing and operating the system effectively.

In the increasingly competitive landscape of investment attraction, the integration of administrative reform, digital transformation, and strategic communication in investment promotion represents a timely and appropriate direction. With strong determination and a clear path forward, the Quang Tri Economic Zone Authority is asserting its leadership in reform and digital transformation, contributing to the province’s sustainable socio-economic development in the new era.

In the first six months of 2025, Quang Tri Province approved investment policies for 37 new projects with a total registered capital of approximately 9.031 trillion Vietnamese dong, equivalent to around US$355 million. The province also adjusted the investment policies of 31 projects, revoked 5 projects, and recorded 3 projects that ceased operations.

As of now, the newly consolidated Quang Tri Province has approved and registered a total of 396 projects across its economic zones and industrial parks, with a combined investment capital of approximately VND238 trillion (US$9.35 billion). Out of these, 223 projects have already commenced operations.

In 2025, Quang Tri Province will focus its investment promotion strategy on attracting capital into key sectors and priority projects. These include the development of infrastructure in economic zones and industrial parks; investment in power and energy projects such as solar, wind, and gas-fired electricity; and projects in light industries that produce export goods, supporting industries, and the manufacturing of construction materials, home and office furnishings, consumer products, packaging, plastics, textiles, and garments. The province also prioritizes investment in tourism, services, agriculture and marine economy, high-tech agriculture, urban development, residential areas, social housing, and projects in healthcare and education.

At the same time, the province aims to expand investment in logistics services, deep-water seaports, and airport infrastructure to enhance support for existing and future projects in the region.

Quang Tri is also reviewing, updating, and preparing a new list of priority projects to call for investment, in line with evolving conditions and the province’s socio-economic development goals for 2025 and beyond. The province will strictly manage and control new project approvals, and will not license projects that use outdated technologies or equipment with potential environmental risks, or that may weaken competitiveness and slow the pace of economic development and integration.

To realize these goals, it is essential to develop a systematic and science-based investment promotion program tailored to specific sectors and target domestic and international partners. The province will also focus on building its image, promoting its investment environment, policies, and opportunities, establishing connections with investors, and developing an information system and database to support investment promotion activities. This includes creating a detailed and updated list of projects for which investment is being sought.

Tam An - Ngoc Mai