The Forum: Fueling Southeast Economic Growth through Logistics Connectivity

The Southeast area now has approximately 18,000 logistics firms registered to operate, accounting for 46% of the 39,000 logistics enterprises countrywide and handling 45% of the total amount of products as well as more than 60% of the country's container volume.

According to Poliburo Resolution No. 24-NQ/TW dated October 7, 2022 on "socioeconomic development and assurance of national defense and security in the Southeast region through 2030, with a view to 2045," until 2023, this region will become a dynamic region with high economic growth rate, the largest growth engine in the country; science - technology and innovation center, high-tech industries, logistics, and international financial centers are highly competitive.

And, by 2045, the Southeast region will be a developed region with strong economic potential and a modern economic structure; a science-technology-innovation center, high-tech industry, logistics, and international financial center in the top tier of the region and the world; and modern and synchronous infrastructure. According to Resolution 24-NQ/TW, the Southeast area should focus on developing industrial, urban, service, and logistical belts linked to transportation routes.

In particular, the Southeast Regions Coordination Council, as determined by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, was recently formed in order to fulfill the institution and coordination mechanism for Southeast area development as outlined in Resolution 24-NQ/TW. Renovate the coordination mechanism, promote socioeconomic growth of the fast-growing area, inter-sectoral regional connection, and long-term development in the Southeast.

As a result, in order to develop the area by 2030, the Southeast region must be transformed into a dynamic development region with high economic growth rates, the country's greatest growth engine, and a hub of research and technology. The region's high-tech sector, logistics, and international financial hub are all extremely competitive. Until 2050, the Southeast will be a developed region with strong economic potential and a modern economic structure; a science-technology-innovation center, high-tech industry, logistics, and international financial center in the top group of the region and the world; and a modern and synchronous infrastructure.

Two of the Council's ten core work groups are clearly stated: "Coordination in the field of urban, logistics, high-quality services including financial centers, regional logistics centers, science and technology, and innovation." Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized the need of studying and investing in a high-speed railway infrastructure to promote commerce and cut logistical costs. Simultaneously, encourage and support the creation and growth of regional business and industrial groups, alliances, and cooperative alliances.

Meanwhile, being one of the Southeast region's geographically advantageous locations located on the Trans-Asian highway, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province has a deep-water port system categorized as a special national classification. can accept container ships of 80,000 250,000 tons (6,000 24,000 TEUs) and greater while also serving as the region's seaport.

With a synchronous and modern investment transportation system and continuing to invest to form a multi-modal transport system, seamlessly and synchronously connecting Thi Vai and Cai Mep port systems - Cai Mep Ha logistics center - Long Thanh international airport - International financial center in Ho Chi Minh City - logistics service centers, industrial parks, urban areas in the Southeast region..., Ba Ria - Vung Tau has many potentials and opportunities.

Currently, Ba Ria - Vung Tau and other Southeast regions have made significant contributions to the country's GDP, total state budget revenue, commodities production, marine transportation, and so on. These are essential and sustainable resources that will play a significant role in the development of the Ba Ria - Vung Tau province.

In comparison to Southeast area locations, Ba Ria - Vung Tau has more favorable characteristics for the growth of the logistics service business. According to Prime Minister's Decision No. 804/QD-TTg dated July 8, 2022, Ba Ria - Vung Tau envisions 69 seaport developments, 50 of which are already operational, with a total designed capacity of 150 million tons/year. The province now boasts 8 significant container port projects with a total capacity of 8.3 million TEU/year, with Cai Mep - Thi Vai port being one of 19 main ports in the world to accommodate today's largest "super" ships. The export turnover of commodities through the ports in Ba Ria - Vung Tau has steadily expanded as a result of the deep-water seaport system.

Resolution 24-NQ/TW, in particular, concludes that investment in building logistics networks and international transshipment ports in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province is entirely commensurate with the region's potential and advantages. The decision determining "Forming a free trade zone associated with a seaport in the Cai Mep Ha area" is a new policy designed to provide a particular space and a driving force for the Southeast region's development. performs the function of a "leading force" in pulling the growth of the entire area and country. Intra-regional and inter-regional links are especially crucial in achieving this aim.

However, the Ba Ria-Vung Tau region, and the Southeast in general, currently have various "bottlenecks," most notably infrastructure, which makes logistical operations harder and inhibits corporate competition. In Resolution No. 24-NQ/TW, the "bottlenecks" of regional growth were also identified, including "the network of regional and inter-regional infrastructure, particularly the transport infrastructure connecting the region and the inter-region remains lacked, weak, and unsynchronized; high-quality logistics human resources have not yet met demand; logistics costs remain high; low-efficiency association between production-import enterprises and logistics enterprises.

To assist localities and the business community in achieving the aims of Resolution No. 24-NQ/TW; to exchange information on the logistical development direction of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province in particular, and the Southern major economic areas in general; Identify bottlenecks in the logistics activity chain; propose solutions to promote the logistics industry, particularly offering breakthrough solutions for logistics development, creating a driving force for growth Economic Affairs in the Southeast region, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), and the People's Committee of Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province direct the Business Forum Magazine, the Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA), and the Departments of Transport, Industry and Trade of Ba Ria Vung Tau provinces to hold the Forum:

FUELING SOUTHEAST ECONOMIC GROWTH THROUGH LOGISTICS CONNECTIVITY

Time(expected) : 13h30 - 17h30, Friday, September 8, 2023

Venue : Convention Center Ba Ria - Vung Tau

The forum will be attended by leaders of central ministries and branches, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Planning and Investment, leaders of VCCI and leaders of provinces, cities, relevant departments of the Southeast region; Representatives of Departments such as Maritime Administration, Waterway Administration, Transport Department, (Ministry of Transport); Import and Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade); Department of Enterprise Development, Department of Local and Territorial Economy (MPI); General Department of Customs (Ministry of Finance); Representatives of research institutes and universities: Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM), Vietnam Logistics Research and Development Institute (VLI), Transport Development Strategy Institute; Leaders of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders (FIATA), the Association of ASEAN Freight Forwarders (AFFA) and many business associations from other countries; Provincial business associations in the Southeast region and more than 15 domestic industry associations; Banks and credit institutions; Corporations/Corporations/Enterprises in port infrastructure, warehousing, transportation, shipping lines, domestic and international logistics enterprises… and 40 press and television agencies.

The Forum's content is divided into two main sessions:

- A discussion session will be held, with introductory reports and in-depth remarks on the following topics: bottlenecks in the logistics chain of Ba Ria - Vung Tau and the Southeast area, as well as possible solutions. Solutions to boost competitiveness by promoting regional linkages and developing logistics chains in the Southeast area. The best concept for Cai Mep Ha Free Trade Zone is an international model of port complex development mixed with a free trade zone.

-Discussion session on two critical topics that will lead to a breakthrough in the growth of logistics in particular and the Southeast region's economy in general:

Panel 1: Complete logistics infrastructure for multimodal transport development

Panel 2: Free Trade Zone - breakthrough in seaport and economic development strategy

In addition, the Forum contains an exhibition area with booths of logistics service providers, local and international equipment, and solution vendors, allowing enterprises to demonstrate their services. services, goods, access to new technology and solutions, improve exchanges, linkages and investment partnerships.

In particular, with 500 guests from ministries, central agencies, local leaders, associations, logistics and import-export enterprises, and media agencies in attendance, the Forum is an opportunity to Launch the Association to mobilize the Association to establish the Ba Ria - Vung Tau Logistics Association to support and connect localities and Logistics enterprises to explore and research investment opportunities.

The program will be available online at http://diendandoanhnghiep.vn; Fanpage of Business Forum magazine; YouTube Channel - Business Forum TV; DDDN Zoom; Websites: https://www.vla.com.vn ; https://phaata.com ; LOGISTICS VIETNAM; Vietnam logistics community; Import-Export & Logistics…

The forum will help to remove bottlenecks and create favorable conditions for businesses in the Southeast region to learn and collaborate in order to effectively exploit investment resources, facilities, and support services. Increasing the size of the service supply network to boost competitiveness and lower logistical costs, for example.

The forum also benefited from the contributions of experts, scientists, related organizations, and business feedback and recommendations to quickly supplement the task of logistics development solutions - creating The driving force of economic development in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province and other provinces in the Southeast region, assisting businesses in planning to build as well as accessing and seizing investment opportunities to develop "Free trade zone associated with securitization."

The Organizing Committee of the Forum would like to encourage representatives of your units and companies to attend the Forum, discuss ideas, and look for prospects for connection and investment.

Register for the event here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1fppmstKxIWAohOo_8gva_IixyDGgDsgoTBEOtJeSgfA/edit

- Contact Info: Ms. Thy Hang, Tel 0904788233, Email:hahang@dddn.com.vn ; Ms. Thu Duyen, Tel 0963046382, Email:duyen.dddn@gmail.com ; Ms. Hong Minh, Tel 0914 599 968, Email:minhngoc.vcci@gmail.com.