Conference discusses development plans for the Red River region

On Feb. 12, a government conference was held in Ha Long city to discuss development plans for the Red River region in 2030, with GRDP per capita expected to reach VNĐ274 million (US$11,600).

The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, was the sixth of its kind held by the Government to discuss measures and directions to implement the resolutions to develop six regions of Vietnam.

At the meeting, Minister of Investment and Planning Nguyen Chi Dung announced a resolution that details 21 socio-economic and environmental indicators, 10 sets of key tasks and solutions, 36 specific tasks and 20 infrastructure investment projects.

The Government has set the target to have GRDP growth of the region at 9 per cent a year, of which the construction and industry sector is still the pillar of the economy, contributing 47 per cent to the growth; the service sector contributes 41 per cent and the agriculture-forestry-fishery sector contributes 3.5 per cent.

GRDP per capita is expected to reach VNĐ274 million (US$11,600) and the rate of trained labourers with qualification certificates is from 48 to 52 per cent.

The region comprises 11 provinces and centrally-run cities divided into two sub-regions. The northern sub-region covers Hanoi capital, Hai Phong city, and the provinces of Quang Ninh, Vinh Phuc, Bac Ninh, Hai Duong, and Hung Yen; while the southern one consists of Thai Binh, Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, and Ninh Binh provinces.

The new resolution, No 30-NQ/TW, continues to view the Red River Delta as a strategic region holding special importance in terms of politics, economy, culture, society, environment, defense, security, and diplomacy. It identified that fast and sustainable development is a responsibility of regional localities and the entire political system.

Among the targets for 2030, the Delta is set to obtain fast and sustainable development, have a modern economic structure, be deeply imbued with the national cultural identity, and take the lead in developing science - technology, innovation, digital economy, and digital society.
 
By 2045, it is expected to achieve modern, civilized, and ecological development; become the leading center in terms of education - training, science - technology, innovation, and health care in Vietnam; and have some major economic and financial hubs comparable to others in the world.

Addressing the conference, the Prime Minister noted that the Red River region holds strategic importance in politics, economy, and culture and is a northern gateway that connects the country with ASEAN.

Stressing that the development of the region is yet to be compatible with its potentials, he said that it is crucial to have proper policies and investment as well as coordination between ministries and localities.

He said the ministries, agencies and 11 localities in the region must immediately develop specific action plans and programmes to implement Resolution 30 of the Politburo and the Action Plan of the Government.

Regarding investment, PM Chính requested the localities to improve the infrastructure, simplify administrative procedures, fine-tune the legal frameworks, as well as have mechanisms to attract investment in priority areas while open to opinions of investors based on harmonious interest and sharing of risk and challenges.