Master plans for Mong Cai plant seeds of growth

The master plans have envisioned a far-sighted view of the province’s development

Last week saw the provincial authorities officially announce the prime ministerially approved master plan for Mong Cai border gate economic zone’s socio-economic development until 2020, with a vision to 2030, as well as a master plan for building the zone until 2030, with a vision to 2050. These master plans were approved by the prime minister in July and September, respectively. Notably, Quang Ninh is the first locality in Vietnam with such plans approved by the prime minister.

“These plans are an important legal basis for using land, as well as for making and implementing detailed plans on development programmes and investment projects,” said Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Dinh Toan.

“The plans are extremely important for us to devise policies on management and investment. They are also lay a foundation for a bigger development stage of Quang Ninh, which will attract more investment,” said Chairman of the Quang Ninh People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Long.

The zone, established by the prime minister in April 2012, is aimed at building a strategic economic hub in Vietnam’s north-east, making it convenient for foreign investors from Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, and China to invest in the province. The master plans were made by the US’ McKinsey Singapore Company and Spain’s S-Design Company.

Bordering China, the 122,000 hectare zone covers 17 wards of Mong Cai town, Hai Ha industrial zone (IZ) and seaport, Quang Ha town and a number of communes in Hai Ha district.

The zone will include a tax-free area, IZs, a financial centre, an administrative centre, a residential area, and other logicstics centres.

Long suggested that the zone be allowed to apply Vietnam’s most incentives for local and foreign investors, in terms of tax, land, and site clearance.

Also at last week’s announcement ceremony of the master plans, the Quang Ninh People’s Committee granted investment certificates to some investors, including Tri Duc Construction JSC’s $8.5 million project to build office buildings and hotels in Mong Cai town and a Chinese company’s $2.24 million project to build a fibre-making factory at the Hai Yen IZ.

Memoranda of understanding for big projects were signed at last week’s ceremony

-Tuan Long Agriculture’s $1.16 million project to develop high-quality sows in Hai Ha district

-Tan Dai Duong Export-Import’s $70 million checking-point at Bac Luan bridge

-Tri Luc’s $16.23 million 4-star hotel at Tra Co-Binh Ngoc resort

-Thien Thuan Tuong Mining’s $3 million concentrated livestock production centre in Mong Cai town

-Thanh Dat’s $46.5 million project to build urban infrastructure in Mong Cai town

-Thang Long Air Services Corporation’s $109.3 million project to build a coastal road at Hai Ha district

-Thinh Dai Hong Kong Construction’s $195.3 million international exhibition and fair centre in Mong Cai town