The transportation sector of Ninh Thuan province remains steadfast to achieve its developmental goals, paving the way for a promising future, and progressively aligning with the aspirations and expectations of the government and its citizens. Our reporter interviewed Mr. Nguyen Van Vinh, Director of the Department of Transport, Ninh Thuan province, to gain more about the sector’s determination.
Highway intersection in Ninh Thuan province facilitates efficient transportation and regional connectivity
The transport sector of Ninh Thuan province has reaped many achievements in recent years. Could you elaborate on them?
The transport sector takes pride in its progressively renovated, synchronized and modernized infrastructure, forming a well-connected network that stimulates growth in other sectors. It has consistently prioritized resources for key projects, such as the road construction from Tan Son Town to Ta Nang. The sector is expediting other investment projects slated for completion in 2024 and 2025, including the Eastern North-South Expressway project.
Currently, the sector is planning the construction of Thanh Son Airport under the leadership of the Ministry of Transport. It has proposed a second-phase investment scheme for Ca Na Port to accommodate ships of up to 300,000 metric tons. It is also preparing an investment proposal for Ca Na dry port, which will be submitted for appraisal and approval. Concurrently, the sector is collaborating with the Ministry of Transport to renovate and upgrade key components of the Nha Trang - Saigon Railway and Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City Railway, and is seeking investment for the Thap Cham-Da Lat Railway and Ca Na Port - Thong Nhat Railway.
What do you think about the core and key role of the transport infrastructure system in socioeconomic development of the province?
The resolution of the 11th National Party Congress stated that building synchronous modern infrastructure is one of major groundbreaking tasks to carry out socioeconomic development tasks of the country. The 14th Provincial Party Congress (2020-2025 term) underlined prioritized investment for construction of important, urgent projects that have strong impacts on production and livelihoods of people to serve the province’s economic development. Currently, the province has completed and operated many more bridges, roads and transport infrastructure to connect regions, Industrial Parks and seaports to serve socioeconomic development. In particular, building coastal roads is important to foster development, especially marine and ecological tourism and connect key tours in Binh Thuan and Khanh Hoa provinces, making Ninh Thuan an attractive destination for investors and tourists. Key projects such as North-South Expressway, the road from Tan Son town, Ninh Son district, Ninh Thuan to Ta Nang intersection, Lam Dong province, Van Lam - Son Hai Street, the road linking North-South Expressway with National Highway 1 and Ca Na Seaport, and Highway 27 help Ninh Thuan better connect with southern and central key economic regions.
What are the limitations and difficulties in mobilizing capital sources for transport infrastructure investment?
To have resources for building and completing the transport infrastructure system, in addition to medium-term public investment fund, the transport sector has coordinated with the Department of Planning and Investment and other agencies to call for State and private investment capital in which State fund will act as the “seed capital” to draw other investors. Currently, the province’s development investment fund is mainly relying on the central budget and this limitation considerably affects transport infrastructure development investment plans.
Accordingly, the transport sector proposed important solutions to gradually “remove difficulties”, focusing on improving the effectiveness and efficiency of management and facilitating investment project implementation. It coordinated in developing medium-term public investment plans that closely connected and coordinated with central and local agencies in developing infrastructure systems; advised on mobilizing and effectively using resources and drawing non-State funds; and mobilized social resources; continued to seek ODA fund and preferential loans. The sector also applied many investment incentive policies on transport infrastructure projects in a way that ensures the best benefits and the most convenient and simple administrative procedures for investors.
In general, the province's business investment environment has much improved. To further raise the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI), the Department of Transport also advised on stepping up administrative procedure reform across the sector; consulted businesses to tackle problems in a more drastic, stronger, faster and more effective manner with the overarching principle of “The government serves and supports businesses and people”. Besides, it consulted, supported and directly instructed businesses and investors on investment processes and procedures; introduced transport investment projects; increased meetings and dialogues with businesses and investors to promptly grasp and deal with obstacles arising from project implementation and free up resources to facilitate them to make investment and do business. The transport sector vows to work harder for the more prosperous, beautiful, civilized and modern development of Ninh Thuan province.
Thank you very much!
By Cong Luan, Vietnam Business Forum
Vietnamese
October 2024
Hanoi