Initial implementation of the technical aid package in preparation for the ADB-funded project on corridor towns development along the Greater Mekong Sub-region, CTDP, was reported at a seminar in in the central province of Quang Tri on June 8.

The CTDP was designed to turn transport corridors into synchronous economic corridors through upgrading priority infrastructure.

The technical aid package will prepare for later investment in proposed priority infrastructure and build management capacity for corridor towns.

Vietnam ’s corridor towns benefiting from the project include Dong Ha city and Lao Bao town in Quang Tri, and Moc Bai town in the southwestern province of Tay Ninh , which are located on a strategic position for the local economic development.

Quang Tri is the gateway of the East-West Economic Corridor while Tay Ninh is the gateway of the GMS southern economic corridor, said Nguyen Quan Chinh, Vice Chairman of the Quang Tri People’s Committee, CTDP management board in Vietnam .

The seminar evaluated the socio-economic situation, important development issues and challenges in the selected corridor towns, as well as earlier activities.

Priority infrastructure sub-projects were also selected in preparation for the larger-scale project.

In the past, with the support of the Government, ministries, sectors and international organisations, especially the Asian Development Bank (ADB), provincial authorities have made every effort to lure investment into the three transport corridors, aiming to covert them into economic trade corridors./.