More cities along Mekong Sub-region to be developed hinh anh 1A view of Sapa town of Lao Cai province (Photo: VNA)

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has approved the second Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) Corridor Towns Development project, loaned from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The project aims to improve and expand the transport network and infrastructure to propel the development of three northern urban areas: Bac Giang city in Bac Giang province, Mong Cai city of Quang Ninh province and Sapa district of Lao Cai province.

It is also intended to foster trade and services, tap tourism potential to create jobs and improve the livelihoods of local residents as well as improve environmental conditions so as to raise health and living standards in the target cities.

From 2016 to 2020, the 121.67-million-USD project will develop urban transport networks to enhance goods transportation capacity as well as build and upgrade urban infrastructure.

It will also promote water drainage and environment clean-up activities, construct waste water collection and treatment systems and give technical support to enhance local authorities’ capacity in project management.

The first ADB-funded GMS Corridor Towns Development project, approved in 2013, targeted Dong Ha city and Lao Bao town of the central province of Quang Tri and Moc Bai town of the southern province of Tay Ninh.-VNA
VNA