Vietnamese government committed to boosting logistics infrastructure

Speaking at the first panel discussion of the Vietnam Logistics Summit 2023 on October 5, Le Tuan Anh, director of the Industrial Economy and Services Department under the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), highlighted the Vietnamese government's keen interest in the logistics industry.

His sentiment resonated with comments made by Le Trong Minh, editor-in-chief of VIR. "There has been evident attention and focus on policy mechanisms related to this sector," Anh said.

From the perspective of the MPI, Anh said that they have always prioritised considering land funds while assessing sectoral, provincial, and regional planning.

"The logistics field, a sub-segment of the services sector, has been especially pivotal in this aspect. However, the harmonisation between local regions is yet to be optimised," he said

With the current Planning Law, state agencies are striving for an integrated approach. "Under this method, all 63 municipal and provincial plans are scrutinised by a unified evaluation council, reducing overlap and redundancy," Anh said.

In terms of real-world outcomes, the government has showcased a distinct focus on three strategic breakthroughs in its tenure. Infrastructure development has been most prominent, especially in road systems.

Data from the Ministry of Transport reveals that about 1,800km of motorways are currently operational nationwide.

"The aspiration is to expand this to 3,000km by 2025 and 5,000km by 2030 – a commendable endeavour by the government," Anh said.

Furthermore, the Customs Department's transition to an electronic system has been hailed as highly effective.

"Businesses can now declare 24/7, unfettered by time and location constraints. Clearances through this system are swift, serving the logistics domain exceptionally well," Anh said. "Recently, infrastructural developments serving the logistics sector have been very detailed and specific."

While the MPI provides comprehensive advisory, logistics will primarily be overseen by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).

"There seems to be a perceptible gap between the policies of state agencies and the expectations of enterprises," Anh said.

Experts at the first panel discussion

These direct interactions, like today's conference, offer invaluable insights for governing bodies. Nonetheless, Anh hopes that businesses will exhibit greater proactivity, invest, and strategise.

"After today's meeting, we've gleaned several ideas for dialogue, partnering more closely with the MoIT, and bolstered exchanges with various associations for more precise and tailored consultations," Anh said.

Anh said that while there exists a blueprint for the logistics sector, provincial planning is still under construction. "But when it comes to state investments, the logistics domain isn't currently within the supported programmes.

Thus, the need for investments in logistics centres and their broader economic impact – for businesses, citizens, and the government – needs clearer articulation. Following which, the MPI can collate and present to the relevant authorities," he added.

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