Haiphong boasts resources to spur marine economy

On December 4, Haiphong received government permission to establish the Southern Haiphong Coastal Economic Zone. The zone will cover 20,000 hectares and aims to take advantage of Nam Do Son Port, Haiphong Airport, and a new free trade zone.

Nam Dinh Vu Industrial Park. Photo: Sao Do Group

In addition, the prime minister has approved an investment policy to bolster appeal and focus on mobilising resources to develop maritime transport at Lach Huyen International Gateway Port.

Haiphong is aiming to basically complete industrialisation and modernisation, become a key marine economic centre, a national logistics service hub, a centre for training, research, application, and development of marine science and technology in Vietnam.

In line with the above targets, the city's economic growth rate has always been higher than the national average.

The average regional GDP growth from 2019-2023 reached 11.64 per cent per year, 2.83 times higher than the national average, and 1.97 times higher than the GDP growth of the Red River Delta. The figure is expected to reach 11 per cent in 2024 and the city is identified as the growth pole of the Hanoi-Haiphong-Quang Ninh economic triangle.

Nam Dinh Vu International Port-Nam Dinh Vu Industrial Park. Photo: Sao Do Group

Currently, Haiphong's seaport system consists of five main wharf areas with 52 seaports, with 98 berths, approximately 14,000m long. Lach Huyen International Gateway Port is capable of receiving container ships of up to 200,000 DWT.

Regarding the development of coastal economic zones (EZs), in Haiphong, Dinh Vu-Cat Hai EZ has become a comprehensive, dynamic, multi-sector EZ, developing the maritime economy and focusing on developing port services.

Right strategy for FDI attraction

By the end of November, Haiphong's accumulative foreign direct investment (FDI) amounted to $32.2 billion, indicating that the city has become a stronghold for many investors, deeply participating in the global value chain.

According to Nguyen Van Tung, chairman of Haiphong's People's Committee, to continue to lead the country in attracting FDI, the city will focus on selecting large, reputable investments in semiconductors and electronic chips.

The city will create the most stronger conditions for investors according to the motto 'The success of businesses is the success of the city'.

At the same time, Haiphong will strengthen the ability to connect foreign firms with local businesses to participate in global supply chains, creating momentum for the development of the city.

The groundbreaking ceremony of Logicross Haiphong at Nam Dinh Vu IP on November 19. Photo: Sao Do Group

Takashi Kagamoto, the investor of Logicross Haiphong in Nam Dinh Vu Industrial Park and general director of Mitsubishi Estate Vietnam Co., Ltd., said that during implementation, all procedures had been completed smooth.

Haiphong Economic Zone Authority and Nam Dinh Vu Industrial Park (IP) developer Sao Do Group have supported the investor throughout the implementation process.

According to Nguyen Thanh Phuong, general director of Sao Do Group, Nam Dinh Vu IP gears towards becoming a comprehensive and multi-sector IP, effectively serving the city's socioeconomic development.

The decision to choose Nam Dinh Vu IP by investors and businesses from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and more is partly due to its prime geographical location, seamlessly connected to the national transport network.

According to Phuong, with the advantage of being the only IP in Haiphong with an internal international seaport, Nam Dinh Vu Port has been operating according to the principle of attracting various projects.

Nam Dinh Vu IP will form a continuous, cyclical chain in the process of providing industrial park infrastructure products and services, including support for recruitment and training of high-quality personnel.

This will create a great demand for logistics from domestic and international manufacturing industries.

During his visit to Haiphong on November 14, General Secretary To Lam outlined tasks that the city needs to focus on.

Haiphong needs to continue to improve its planning. This includes the urban, industrial, tourism, and marine sectors, underground infrastructure, spatial planning, and connecting transportation.

In addition, Lam also pointed out that Haiphong must promote its advantage as the main gateway to the sea for the whole northern region to build the city into a modern marine economic centre.

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