The Mekong Delta province of Tra Vinh is calling for investment in the Dinh An economic zone.

The focus is on technical infrastructure, oil refining, deep seaport and airports, as well as administrative services, education, training and scientific research, along with cultural exchanges, tourism and entertainment.

Covering more than 39,000ha in Tra Cu and Duyen Hai districts, Dinh An is one of eight key marine economic areas nationwide, with favourable conditions to develop a sea-based economy, electricity, petrochemicals, shipbuilding, navigation services and tourism.

A passageway for ships of 20,000 tonnes to enter the Hau River is expected to become operational in 2017, which will facilitate domestic and international trade.

So far, Dinh An economic zone has attracted 29 projects with total registered capital exceeding VND151.3 trillion (US$6.65 billion) and generated nearly 2,500 jobs.

Pham Van Tam, head of the management board of Tra Vinh economic zones, suggested devising more incentives, apart from policies, to exempt or reduce land rent, corporate income tax, personal income tax and import-export tax.

Businesses will get land clearance compensation and support to make environmental impact evaluation reports, register for intellectual property protection, apply technologies to upgrade productivity and quality of products, and receive assistance in vocational training. — VNS