The party secretary of the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Nguyen Hong Linh, has proposed that the Ministry of Transport and the Government consider developing Cai Mep-Thi Vai Port complex and Long Thanh international airport into the economic centre of the south.

Linh was speaking at the meeting on Thursday between the People’s Committee of Ba Ria-Vung Tau and a visiting delegation from the Transport Ministry, led by Minister Nguyen Van The.

The Long Thanh international airport project is still in preparation phase while the Cai Mep-Thi Vai port complex, located in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, already received significant investment and was to become one of the largest seaport centres in the country. However, according to the provincial Party Secretary, the port complex is currently using only a small part of its designed capacity, causing economic waste to national resources.

Therefore, provincial authorities have proposed that the Government and Ministry of Transport speed up the construction progress of traffic infrastructure projects such as the Bien Hoa-Vung Tau expressway and railway, provincial roads, ring roads and Phuoc An Bridge.

The ministry also asked to push forward the progress of dredging Cai Mep-Thi Vai Port, Ganh Rai Bay area, aiming at facilitating the transportation of goods.

In addition, the Government actively supports Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province authorities to set up Cai Mep – Thi Vai port’s management board, and inspection-quarantine centre, that will create favourable conditions for enterprises.

Firms will find it more efficient to use Cai Mep-Thi Vai Port complex as a loading area, instead of Cat Lai (in HCM City), according to the provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Hong Linh.

This contributes to reducing both pressure on Cat Lai Port (the current volume of cargo passing through Cat Lai port consistently exceeds its designed capacity) and traffic congestion in HCM City.

He said that the province is preparing a plan to publicly auction five provincial land areas and use this money in conjunction with the government budget to carry out important projects, creating momentum for local development.

At the meeting, recognising the importance of the Bien Hoa-Vung Tau expressway, Transport Minister Nguyen Van The has proposed provincial authorities to be the project owner because local authorities will have more options and ideas in seeking funding.

The minister also proposed provincial authorities to be the investor of ring road 4’s section passing through the province.

In addition, he said, the ministry will soon have a solution to the provincial authorities’ recommendations and proposals such as building a multi-use Vung Tau airport; upgrading Con Son Airport (Con Dao island district); creating conditions for airlines to use new-generation aircraft; exempting maritime charges and fees for all container ships landing at Cai Mep-Thi Vai Port complex; implementing measures to ensure traffic safety and flood prevention for National Highway 51.—VNS