PM targets powerful, prosperous status for southern key economic region by 2035

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (centre) and officials inspect the Phuoc An Bridge project in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province on May 30 (Photo: VNA)

He made the remarks while chairing a meeting in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province between permanent Government members and officials of the eight localities in this region, which comprises Ho Chi Minh City and the seven provinces of Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Tay Ninh, Long An, and Tien Giang.

The southern key economic region is the only of its kind in Vietnam that boasts sufficient conditions and advantages for industrial and service development to achieve a fast, efficient and sustainable growth. It is currently the largest FDI magnet of the country, a leading economic driver, and a gateway for Vietnam’s trading with the world.

Addressing the event, PM Phuc applauded the eight localities’ attainments in COVID-19 prevention and control, social security ensuring, and economic development, which have joined the entire country’s efforts to defeat the pandemic.

He also highly valued their resolve in economic development and persistence with the initial targets set for this year.

Regarding the region’s development goal, he emphasised that this is the key among the four key economic regions of Vietnam, describing it as a “diamond octagon” in Southeast Asia as well as Asia given its economic development and healthy living environment.

The PM pointed out that the strength and competitiveness of this region outpace the others’, asking the localities to bring into play their solidarity and join hands to innovate and hold responsibility for national development.

Responding to proposals submitted at the meeting, PM Phuc assigned relevant agencies to devise special mechanisms for key economic regions, especially the southern one.

He told the Ministry of Planning and Investment to consider an aid package from the Government for the localities to invest in urgent infrastructure and transport facilities – a factor of leading importance in local socio-economic development.

Meanwhile, the State Bank of Vietnam and the Ministry of Finance need to work on solutions to facilitate credit institutions’ engagement in infrastructure development projects, particularly those under the private-public partnership (PPP). The Ministry of Transport has to establish projects on boosting transport connectivity among industrial parks and economic zones in the region.

The eight localities need to prioritise developing digital economy, e-commerce, and the 5G network, which are crucial for high technology development, according to him.

At the session, the PM also asked them to implement the Government’s recently-issued Resolution 84/NQ-CP well so as to further tackle production and business difficulties and stimulate consumer demand which is an important driving force for GDP growth.

Prior to the meeting, PM Phuc had made a fact-finding tour of Cai Mep-Thi Vai Port in Phu My town, Phuoc An Bridge, the location of the Cai Mep Ha logistics project, and Hyosung Industrial Park in Ba Ria-Vung Tau.