At the furthermost point of northeastern Vietnam, Mong Cai city is the exchange gateway of Vietnam and other ASEAN countries with China. Therefore, Mong Cai has an important geographical position in all aspects. The strategy of the Central and Province on developing this area is very clear. Along with the interest of the Central leaders in investment and actively promotion of internal resources, Mong Cai city wishes to attract investment projects to rapidly and steadily develop.
Major orientation for development
Because of Quang Ninh’s vital position, in recent years, the Politburo, the Prime Minister and Quang Ninh province have had many guidelines and policies on the development of Mong Cai city. On the conclusion report N0 47/KL-TW dated on 6-5-2009, the Politburo "agreed with the principle to build Mong Cai into a modern international border-gate city associated with Hai Ha industrial seaport to become a Hai Ha – Mongcai major urban area with many functions in the future and develop into an industrial seaport centre, financial center, a modern free trade area.''
In the Decision N0 34/2009/ dated 2/3/2009, the Prime Minister approved the development plan in 2020 for the coastal economic belt of Tonkin Gulf, and stated that “in 2020, the construction of Hai Ha industrial seaport area will be completed basically in association with developing Mong Cai international border-gate city to become an industrial center, seaport, financial center, and the largest free trade and modern area in the region".
In Decision No 99 dated 29/7/2009 on approving the project on development of Mong Cai international border-gate city to the year 2020, the Prime Minister set a target that "Mong Cai international seaport border-gate city would become a second grade urban area at the border-gate, a modern, trade economic centre which is green, clean, friendly to the environment, with good national defense-security''. Prime Minister allowed Mong Cai City to exchange with Dong Xing town (China) and proceed with the construction of a pilot border economic cooperation zone under common regulations in some fields.
Compared to other localities that have established border economic cooperation zones at Vietnam-China border, the two "bridge points": Mong Cai city and Dong Xing town have a better advantage, because Mong Cai and Dong Xing are connected regions of the China-ASEAN free trade area. They are located in the area of economic cooperation around the Gulf of Tonkin and regional cooperation in Mekong sub-region. Before the trend of global economic integration, the rapid formation of the economic cooperation along the Vietnam-China border will certainly be a motivation for economic development of Mong Cai city, turning this place into one of the focal point of good and service exchange between ASEAN and China, and also a strong motivation for the development of the Northeast region of Vietnam.
Ready for investment cooperation
To implement the above guidelines and policies, Mong Cai city has made great efforts in recent years. Specifically, the city is actively coordinating with other sectors of the province to advise the Government on collaborating with our friend country (China) to speed up the progress of the preparation for Bac Luan II bridge construction. In mid-January, 2012, at the negotiation of the Bac Luan II bridge construction, the two Governments’ negotiating teams signed a draft agreement on building this bridge. As planned, at the end of this year, the construction of Bac Luan bridge II will be kicked off.
To build border economic cooperation, Mong Cai city has previously made a plan with a rate of 1/2.000 for an area of 230 hectares. However, to meet the new requirements, Mong Cai city proposed to expand the planned area to about 1,500 hectares.
In Decision No 99/QĐ-TTg, the Prime Minister stated the 26 prioritized projects in the period of 2009-2020. These are all big projects that, upon completion, will become an important stepping stone for the development of Mong Cai into a modern and well-planned city.
Specifically, out of 26 projects, 7 have been implemented, including Mui Ngoc retaining wall; City square; residential infrastructure along the border river; international hospital; the 3-way split-Binh Ngoc- Tra Co, infrastructure of waste treatment plant. The project to renovate Ka Long river has been approved, but not in construction. To date, 4 projects approved by QNPPC are in the planning process. They are: the Binh Ngoc - Tra Co coastal tourist road, construction of Bac Luan bridge II and the path; vocational training schools, Chinese language training school; Ha Long-Mong Cai highway.
The projects being proposed to the PPC for investment include belt road III connecting to Bac Luan bridge II ; infrastructure of free trade area; exhibition center; the stadium and sports complex; the road along Mongcai border river; wastewater treatment urban area, infrastructure of Vinh Thuc resort island; statue of Uncle Ho. In particular, six projects need to be kicked off immediately. They are: upgrading wharves and Bac Luan border-gate, building Luc Phu clearance, expanding the road to Nui Do port, constructing the city theatre and the bridge to Vinh Thuc island, as well as Ha Long-Mong Cai rail-way.
As of this moment, Mong Cai city has reviewed, listed and prepared the information for the above-mentioned projects which need to attract investors. Many of them are listed to call for and attract investment. Mong Cai city’s leaders said that they are ready to provide adequate information and the best conditions for businesses to invest in the city in order to turn Mong Cai into a trade gateway between ASEAN and China.
Ngoc Ha
