Northern coastal provinces and cities need to enhance regional links to boost the economy, Chairman of the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Vu Tien Loc said at a forum in Quang Ninh Province on Tuesday.
At the Northern Coastal Region Economic Forum held by VCCI, Loc said provinces and cities including Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Thai Binh, Hai Duong and Hung Yen had close ties in socio-economic development.
The economic forum would be held annually from this year as a platform for the provinces and cities to exchange experience in improving the business climate, attracting investment and co-operating in developing the regional economy.
Provinces and cities should work together to figure out common strengths to build a regional economic development strategy and attract investment, Loc said.
Deputy Chairman of Quang Ninh Province People’s Committee Nguyen Van Thang, sharing the experience of the province which topped Viet Nam’s 2018 Provincial Competitiveness Index, said it was important to restructure the economy, renovate the growth model and focus on green growth to create breakthroughs in development.
For Quang Ninh, Thang said the province was active in developing planning together with developing the infrastructure system, including expressways, airports, seaports, smart cities and e-government. In addition, administrative reforms must be enhanced coupled with diversifying channels to raise investments, especially for transport infrastructure development, he said.
Thang said the province raised investment worth a total VND36 trillion (US$1.53 billion) for transport infrastructure development from 2015, three quarters of which was private investment.
Several transport projects in the province were completed as of 2018, such as the Ha Long – Hai Phong expressway, Bach Dang Bridge, Ha Long – Van Don Expressway, Van Don International Airport and Ha Long international passenger port.
A representative from Hai Phong said local authorities should focus on improving business climate to create favourable conditions for investors and businesses, including simplifying administrative procedures, reducing time for customs clearance, improving access to power and implementing online public services.
Experts at the forum also said focus should be placed on linking businesses to establish production chains. — VNS