HCMC – The Dong Thap Province has proposed the central government allow it to establish a specialized economic zone in the provincial border gate economic zone to fuel economic growth in the border area.
This is one of the proposals that the Mekong Delta province put forward at a working session held yesterday, March 29, with State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc during his visit to Dong Thap, said local news reports.
According to the province, the specialized economic zone, covering around 13,629 hectares of land, could unlock potential for economic cooperation between the delta and neighboring countries.
The province also proposed the central government issue a special mechanism to create optimal conditions for establishing and developing the specialized economic zone in the future.
Earlier at the working session, Le Quoc Phong, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee, proposed the central government approve investment in the Cao Lanh-Hong Ngu section of the Hong Ngu-Tra Vinh expressway project, and link the route with the An Huu-Cao Lanh Expressway project which is slated to get off the ground in 2022.
Besides, the province wants to develop the N1 road and the Tan Chau bridge projects, which will connect Tan Chau Town of An Giang with Hong Ngu District of Dong Thap, during the 2022-2025 period to promote trade at the international border gates.
The province also sought the nod for the upgrade of the Muong Khai-Doc Phu Hien canal in the 2023-2025 period to shorten the travel distance from the Tien River to the Hau River and then the Can Tho Port, in addition to the establishment of an agro and freshwater fisheries wholesale hub in the Dong Thap Muoi area as well as the construction of an energy and agro industrial park.
President Phuc threw his support behind these proposals and asked the relevant ministries to consider the proposals to support Dong Thap advance further.
