Nghe An proposes investing in infrastructure and developing the economy in border areas

On the morning of August 16, under the chairmanship of Minister Nguyen Hong Dien, the Ministry of Industry and Trade held an online conference on economic development in border areas.

Comrade Le Ngoc Hoa - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee chaired at Nghe An bridge point. Also attending were representatives of leaders of relevant departments and branches, leaders of the People's Committees of the districts: Ky Son, Que Phong, Tuong Duong, Con Cuong, Anh Son, Thanh Chuong.

15 PROVINCES WITH HIGH GRDP GROWTH

Vietnam has a land border of about 4,924 km; with 25 border provinces adjacent to China, Laos, and Cambodia.

In 2020, the complicated developments of the Covid-19 pandemic slowed down growth in most industries and sectors in Vietnam and border provinces. The disruption of the global supply chain and production also negatively affected Vietnam's production and import-export activities, but 24/25border provincesstill achieved positive growth (except Quang Nam with growth of -7%). 15 provinces had GRDP growth higher than the national average (2.91%), including 4 provinces bordering China, 4 provinces bordering Laos, 7 provinces bordering Cambodia. 9 provinces grew below the national average.

Panorama of the online conference at Nghe An bridge. Photo: Thu Huyen

In the first 6 months of 2021, all border localities had positive growth, most of which exceeded the national average. 20 provinces had GRDP growth higher than the national average (5.64%), including 4 provinces bordering China, 9 provinces bordering Laos, and 7 provinces bordering Cambodia.

Five provinces grew below the national average, including Cao Bang, Ha Giang, Dien Bien, Dong Thap, and Kien Giang.

However, the socio-economic development of border areas is still slow, compared to the general level of border provinces in particular and the whole country in general. The economic structure in border areas is slow to shift, still relying mainly on agriculture. Industrial production in border areas is still limited, has not created key products, and has weak competitiveness. The majority of people in border areas do not have a model of economic production and stable employment.

Small-scale, unbalanced border trade; limited capital for infrastructure investment; insufficient and weak trade infrastructure...

At the conference, representatives of some localities bordering neighboring countries presented some achievements in economic and social development; proposed and recommended investment in transport infrastructure,border trade, logistics, resource mobilization policy mechanisms..., to develop the border economic area.

NGHE AN PROPOSALS FOR SUPPORT TO INVEST IN INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

Nghe An is a province with a natural area of ​​16,493 km², the largest in the country; with a large population of over 3.3 million people. The whole province has 21 district-level administrative units, of which 6 districts border the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Ky Son, Tuong Duong, Con Cuong, Anh Son, Que Phong, Thanh Chuong) with the longest total border length in the country (468.281 km), with 27 communes (312 villages and hamlets) bordering 3 provinces of Laos (Bolikhamxay, Xieng Khouang and Hua Phan).

A corner of Ky Son border district. Photo: Sach Nguyen

In 2020 and the first 6 months of 2021, despite the impact of natural disasters and epidemics, the socio-economic situation in the border area has achieved certain results. The economy grew quite well and developed relatively comprehensively: Total production value in 2020 reached 24,870 billion VND; Total production value in the first 6 months of 2021 reached 12,521 billion VND. The proportion of production value of agriculture, industry - construction and services in the economy in the first 6 months of 2021 accounted for 30.1%, 41.3% and 28.6%, respectively. Although the economic structure has shifted slowly and is not yet stable, it is basically in the right direction, reducing the proportion of agriculture and increasing the proportion of non-agricultural sectors. Average income per capita in 2020 reached 32.2 million VND (the whole province reached 44.01 million VND).

Nghe An hopes to connect domestic and foreign investors to invest in the construction of Cua Lo deep-water port. Photo: Thu Huyen

Within the framework of the conference program, the People's Committee of Nghe An province proposed that the Government direct ministries and branches to speed up the implementation of the Vientiane - Paksan - Thanh Thuy - Hanoi expressway project to facilitate trade, travel, and socio-economic development between Vietnam and Laos and create the premise for the formation of the Thanh Thuy border gate economic zone. Discuss with the Lao Government to soon announce Nam On border gate (Bolikhamxay province) as the main border gate, creating favorable conditions to promote import-export and immigration activities.

Support and arrange funding for the construction of breakwaters and regular dredging of channels to ensure the entry and exit of large-tonnage ships.Cua Lo port. Support the introduction and connection of domestic and foreign investors to invest in the construction of Cua Lo deep-water port.

The Government and relevant ministries and branches prioritize capital support to invest in developing industrial cluster infrastructure in border areas with difficult economic conditions. Allocate budget to build and upgrade connecting routes from border gates, openings, communes... to National Highways (7, 48, Ho Chi Minh); consider funding to implement projects to supply electricity to villages and hamlets without electricity. At the same time, build and upgrade border markets, initially prioritizing capital to develop a number of markets in difficult, densely populated border areas, operating effectively and with the participation of residents of Lao border provinces.

Ky Son border district has a 192km long border with Laos. Photo: Sach Nguyen

Nghe An also proposed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advise the Government to issue a Plan for the development of Vietnam-Laos land border gates for the 2021-2030 period, so that localities can have appropriate border gate development plans. The Ministry of Information and Communications should pay attention to investing in telecommunications and internet transmission stations for border and mountainous areas, especially at border gates, openings, towns... to eliminate "lowlands" for mobile and internet coverage to serve authorities, people and businesses.