Quang Binh gearing towards more inclusive development

Quang Binh gearing towards more inclusive development

Tran Thang, Chairman of Quang Binh People’s Committee, noted that the province is set to propel economic development in the southern direction, taking tourism as a development spearhead as well as placing emphasis on attracting investment in infrastructure and transport.

The commitment to expanding economic development in the southern direction of local management authorities has been hailed by numerous investors in the province in order to have in place a seamless industry and tourism infrastructure system in the whole province.

Over the past couple of years, a string of transport infrastructure projects have been and are vigorously in the development pipeline in Dong Hoi city, including Nhat Le Bridge 2 which was opened to traffic in 2018; Nhat Le Bridge 3, whose construction was kicked off in early 2020; a coastal route along Vo Nguyen Giap road; and extended Quang Trung road which connects the city’s centre to Le Thuy district – deemed a centre for solar and wind energy development – to name but a few.

Aside from transport infrastructure development, Quang Binh has concentrated investment on high-end trade infrastructure projects and health services, such as building a new bus station south of Dong Hoi city; building a new Dong Hoi market, and a 20-hectare wide ocean park to pay tribute to General Vo Nguyen Giap at the foot of Nhat Le Bridge 2.

Significantly, the coastal tourism infrastructure stretching from Bac Ly ward to Nhat Le bridges 2 and 3, consisting of top-grade golf courses and coastal resorts, boasts an investment value touching $4 billion.

During a recent working visit to Quang Binh, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh appreciated the province as having exemplary opportunities, distinct potential, and also outstanding advantages for development.

“Albeit Quang Binh land faces many difficulties like tough climate conditions, its favourable conditions surpass the difficulties. The province enjoys auspicious natural specific conditions, plus a convenient transport system and committed management,” said PM Chinh.

Economists, however, assumed that Quang Binh has yet to reach the level of development commensurate to its bountiful potential, with limitations associated with assuring innovations rooted in science-technology progress and digital transformation.

Chairman Thang said that 2022 is a crucial transitional year to implement the resolution of the provincial eighth Party Congress in the face of recovering economically from the pandemic. In this context, the government has requested Quang Binh to be well-prepared for the effective implementation of 2022 tasks, leveraging its abundant advantages and potential and striving to gradually fix current limitations.

The government urged Quang Binh to further materialise the targets set in the eighth Party Congress resolution for sustainable development; striving to quickly complete its diverse development plannings with an innovative mindset to best avail of distinct local advantages; while further presenting suitable policies and mechanisms which allow the province to bring forth its competitive advantage to accelerate development – such as the recent proposal seeking for approval to act as the state competent agency in highway project deployment.

Under the government’s guidance, Quang Binh also needs to focus on boosting administrative reforms; raising its provincial competitiveness index ranking; strengthening regional links, digital infrastructure, and climate-resilient infrastructure; and promoting tourism and high-tech agriculture, among others.

To facilitate Quang Binh’s development, the government has advocated many provincial proposals and instructed other ministries and sectors to support the area.

For instance, the government approved Quang Binh to act as a state competent agency for deployment of the Bung-Van Ninh project, part of the highway network’s eastern part, and allowing the province to soon invest in expanding Giang Bridge and Quan Hau Bridge on the National Highway No.1A.

Located 300km from the central city of Danang, Quang Binh has great advantages, holding the passages of many arterial roads that provide conditions to boost socioeconomic exchanges with neighbouring countries.

Simultaneously, after Dong Hoi Airport is upgraded and expanded to reach a capacity of receiving three million passengers per year, this would further motivate trade exchange and investment attraction to the region.