The development plan for northern Lao Cai Province from 2021 to 2030, with a vision to 2050, will prioritise infrastructure development.

At a meeting with the Minister of Planning and Investment (MPI) this month, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Dang Xuan Phong made recommendations for Lao Cai Province related to the "Vietnam-China joint statement in 2022”.

They included support for the implementation of major projects such as the Yen Bai - Lao Cai section under the Noi Bai - Lao Cai expressway project, the planning of the Lao Cai – Ha Noi – Hai Phong railway project and the cross-border economic cooperation zone in Lao Cai Border Gate Economic Zone.

The province also called for support from the central budget to invest in the construction of a road project connecting Sa Pa Airport with the Lao Cai border economic zone and other provinces in the region.

Furthermore, Phong requested specific mechanisms for the Lao Cai border-gate economic zone and support for enterprises in Lao Cai Province, which the Minister of Planning and Investment will report to the National Assembly for consideration and promulgation.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has already approved the plan to develop Lao Cai into a major economic hub in the northern mountainous regions on March 29.

Lao Cai aims to achieve an average economic growth rate (GRDP) of over 10 per cent per year and a GRDP per capita of over VND260 million (US$11,016) by 2030.

The Minister of Planning and Investment, Nguyen Chi Dung, suggested that Lao Cai needs to focus on administrative reform, attracting investment, linking economic development with cultural and social development, and environmental protection.

He also emphasised the importance of promoting digital transformation, import and export, and tourism for development. With the modern development of transport infrastructure, the border gate economic zone and Lao Cai can serve as a bridge to support import and export for the whole country.

Lao Cai Province has been ranked 11th out of 63 provinces and cities in terms of economic management quality, with a score of 68.20 points in the PCI 2022 ranking. This places the province in the group of provinces and cities with the best economic management quality and marks a significant improvement from its ranking of 25th out of 63 in 2021, having moved up 14 places. — VNS