(VEN) - On March 20, in Quang Ngai province, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the People's Committee of Quang Ngai province jointly organized a forum to promote cooperation between localities in the Central Key Economic Zone (CKEZ). Themed 'New Opportunities for Prosperity', the forum had more than 300 participants including economic researchers, policy makers, representatives of State management bodies, ministries, departments and cities/provinces that are located in the coastal areas of central Vietnam.
The forum was organized to discuss and propose ways to implement the Government's plan to develop the CKEZ. Participants talked about the existing condition of infrastructure in the CKEZ and solutions for improvements. They indicated the actual demand of each locality and the projects that need investment from the central government to promote regional cooperation. Participants discussed ways to promote regional cooperation and talked about the problems facing each locality and the region as a whole. They highlighted the need to build the linkage between scientists, managers and businesspeople. At the forum, the leaders of cities and provinces in the CKEZ proposed specific mechanisms that allow localities in the region to utilize their advantages and contribute to the industrialization and modernization of the country.
The CKEZ comprises five provinces/cities: Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai and Binh Dinh. It was approved by the Government via Decision 148/QD/2004. This is a potential region with more than 500km of coastline and a number of cities (Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Tam Ky, Quang Ngai, Quy Nhon) and large economic zones such as Chan May - Lang Co, Chu Lai, Dung Quat and Nhon Hoi. The CKEZ offers favorable conditions to develop the marine economy and establish industrial zones along the sea. In the past years, however, the development of localities in the CKEZ was incommensurate with their real potential. The economic growth rate remains low and the lives of people are still poor. Localities in the region do not yet make effective use of deepwater seaports and international seaports.
Delivering a speech to open the forum, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Le Danh Vinh said that the CKEZ is following the guideline of the Politburo and the Government but it does not yet keep pace with other key economic zones of the country. Localities in the CKEZ usually suffer damages caused by natural disasters and the infrastructure in this region remains poor. Mr. Vinh believes that the CKEZ cooperation forum will pave the way for five localities in the region to take joint actions to develop the CKEZ as a driving force for socioeconomic development in the whole central region and Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) of Vietnam.
At the forum, Nguyen Xuan Hue, the chairman of the Quang Ngai People's Committee, affirmed that it is extremely necessary to promote cooperation between localities in the central region and Tay Nguyen, especially the linkage between provinces/cities in the CKEZ. In his opinion, these localities play a very important role in boosting economic growth of the whole country.
Dr. Le Dang Doanh, a senior researcher of the Government, said, "The lack of cooperation between localities in the CKEZ will lead to unfair competition between them and make it impossible for these localities to utilize their advantages. Economic organizations and businesses of the five localities in the CKEZ must tighten cooperation to boost the development of the whole region. This is the objective of this forum."
Participants at the forum discussed and proposed some solutions to develop transport infrastructure in the CKEZ. They also talked about the role of the business community in developing the regional economy and proposed some ways to promote cooperation between the five localities for mutual development.
Following discussions, the leaders of the five localities in the CKEZ signed a document showing their strong commitment to tighten cooperation. They also signed a contract to arrange investment capital for the project to build the My Khe Resort in Quang Ngai province./.
By Thanh Tung
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