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Aug 15, 2016 / 16:55

Southern key economic zone urged to promote transport connectivity

Deputy Transport Minister Nguyen Ngoc Dong suggested the southern key economic zone council propose mechanisms on rallying resources and site clearance to strengthen transport connectivity at a conference in HCM City on August 12.

The council of the southern key economic zone for the 2015-2016 tenure held a conference to discuss further upgrading transport and regional connectivity  in HCM City on August 12.
Speaking at the conference, Chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong, who is also Chairman of the council, said a conference to discuss specific solutions to regional transport infrastructure will be organised in the city in the time ahead. 
Addressing the event, Deputy Transport Minister Nguyen Ngoc Dong suggested the council propose mechanisms on rallying resources and site clearance to strengthen transport connectivity. 

 
Illustrative image.
Illustrative image.
During the conference, authorities of provinces and cities in the southern key economic zone believed that transport routes such as the HCM City - Trung Luong, and HCM City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay highways, which have been put into operation, have contributed to increasing trade and travel between HCM City and regional localities. 
They agreed to build new financial and budget mechanisms in order to turn HCM City into a financial hub for the country and Southeast Asia, as well as consider launching a regional investment fund to accelerate regional transport connectivity. 
In order to further uphold the zone’s role, Vice Chairman of the Binh Duong provincial People’s Committee Mai Hung Dung called attention to transport, environment pollution and human resources training. 
The southern key economic zone groups HCM City, Dong Nai, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, Long An and Tien Giang provinces. 
The region’s economic structure is shifting to services rather than agro-forestry-fisheries, industry and construction. The investment climate has been improving significantly.
The zone accounts for 8 percent of the country’s area, 17 percent of the nation’s population, contributes 60 percent of the State budget and absorbs more than 50 percent of the country’s total foreign direct investment. 
In 2011-2014, the zone's growth was 10.2 percent, while the country overall reached 5.7 percent.