Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc urged the Southern key economic region (SKER) to become the first economic region in realizing Viet Nam’s vision for 2045. 

From left to right: Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh,
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, and Deputy Prime Minister and
Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh at the working session with the Southern
key economic region in Ba Ria-Vung Tau on May 30, 2020. Photo: VGP

Speaking at the working session with the region in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Saturday, the Government chief challenged the region to complete the vision by 2035, 10 years ahead of the nation. 

The 2045 vision, which was announced by PM Phuc at his working session with the Ministry of Planning and Investment in February last year, includes the goal of turning Viet Nam into a prosperous country by 2045 when the country celebrates the 100th anniversary of the National Day.

The region, comprising Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, Long An, and Tien Giang, is one of the four key economic regions in Viet Nam.

Its combined GRDP reached VND 2.51 quadrillion(US$107.93 billion) in 2018, accounting for 45.42% of the national GDP. Ho Chi Minh City alone countributed about 49.5% of the region’s GRDP and nearly 30% of the national GDP, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

The region’s per capita income was estimated at US$5,474, or 2.12 times higher than the national average, said the ministry.

At the conference, local leaders suggested the Government focus investments in infrastructure projects, especially expressways and logistics ports to enhance connectivity among the localities.

First of all, the Government should speed up progress of such highway projects like Ben Luc-Long Thanh, Dau Giay-Lien Khuong, Phan Thiet-Dau Giay, they said.

Binh Phuoc Province suggested the Government would soon build an expressway from Ho Chi Minh to Binh Phuoc’s Hoa Lu international border gate and a railway from Di An to the border gate in order to ease pressure on national highways No. 13 and 14.

Meanwhile, Tay Ninh Province asked the Government to establish a regional council, led by a Deputy Prime Minister, to better coordinate development efforts.