Attracting investment, creating driving force for economic development in border areas

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee - Nguyen Minh Lam presides at the Long An end-point bridge 

According to the report of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, in 2020, in the context of the economy facing many challenges caused by the Covid-19 epidemic, 24 out of 25 border provinces still achieved positive growth; 17 out of 25 provinces had the industrial production development index with higher growth rate than the national average (the whole country increased by 3.4 percent).

The whole country currently has 26 border-gate economic zones, of which, 9 border-gate economic zones with China; 9 border-gate economic zones with Laos; 9 border-gate economic zones with Cambodia, (the Bo Y border-gate economic zone in Kon Tum has border with both Laos and Cambodia). Currently, the border area contributes up to 44 percent of the total electricity output of the country, it contributes to consolidating energy security, ensuring production and improving people's living standards.

However, at the conference, the delegates said that socio-economic development in border areas is still slow; the economic structure in the border area has been slow to change, still mainly relying on agriculture; Although import and export turnover through border gates has grown, there are still many shortcomings, agricultural exports to China continue to use the "small-quota" route, leading to congestion at border gates, affect quality and price.

Besides, electricity coverage in the border area is low, so far, there are still 10.52 percent of villages in the border area that do not have the national electricity grid. The situation of smuggling and trade fraud on the border is still complicated, etc. In addition, the delegates also recommended that central ministries and branches need to invest in transport infrastructure; border trade infrastructure, logistics infrastructure, etc.

In Long An, the whole province has more than 134 kilometers of border with Cambodia, there are 16 border markets; 2 Logistics centers at Binh Hiep International Border Gate (Kien Tuong town) and My Quy Tay National Border Gate (Duc Hue district).

Long An border-gate economic zones has been approved by the PM with a general construction plan, with a total area of more than 13,000 hectares but still facing difficulties in attracting investment. Investment capital is 75 million USD, area is over 20 hectares. The main reason is that the connected transport system is still not synchronized.

Speaking at the conference, Minister of Industry and Trade - Nguyen Hong Dien requested localities to have mechanisms and policies to attract investment and facilitate exports in the coming time; promptly upgrade and open new border gates to meet the trade needs of people and businesses. Export market capacity and trade promotion are improved; especially attracting large industrial enterprises to invest, creating a driving force for economic development in border areas./.

By Bui Tung – Translated by Duc Tam

Source: https://baolongan.vn/thu-hut-dau-tu-tao-dong-luc-phat-trien-kinh-te-khu-vuc-bien-gioi-a119714.html