The southern province of Tien Giang will invest VND1.2 trillion (US$52.8 million) to build a high-tech agricultural park on a 197ha area in Tam Hiep, Long Dinh and Tan Lap 1 communes in the 2017-30 period.

This was stated by Le Van Huong, chairman of the People’s Committee.

In the first phase from 2017 to 2020, the province will develop technical infrastructure and call on enterprises to invest capital in their high-tech agricultural projects on a 44ha area in the park.

The phase needs total capital of VND280 billion, including VND21 billion from the provincial budget and the remaining from other resources, according to the provincial People’s Committee.

Meanwhile, during the second phase from 2021 until 2030, Tien Giang will expand the park by 153ha with total investment of VND924 billion. This capital will be used to complete technical infrastructure, the administrative centre and areas for research, transfering high agriculture technology, training human resources and other services.

The provincial Management Board of Industrial Zones will manage construction of the hi-tech industrial park in the first phase. The Management Board of the Tien Giang Hi-tech Agricultural Park will be established in the second phase. Initially, Tien Giang will give priority for completing construction of the infrastructure, especially a traffic system for the development of the park.

At the same time, the province will build a policy to attract investment for the park, creating efficiency in socio-economic development, and promote change in the provincial agro-economic structure. — VNS