Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the event (Photo: VNA) HCMCity (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested specialdevelopment policies and mechanisms be issued for the southeast region, while chairing aconference to debut the Coordinating Council for the Southeast Region held in Ho ChiMinh City on July 18.
Inthe immediate future, PM Chinh, who is also head of the council, said the focusshould be placed on three strategic breakthroughs linked to threegrowth drivers of consumption, investment, and export. Efforts must be made toaddress transportation bottlenecks, protect the living and ecologicalenvironment, and deal with housing issues for workers and low-income earners,and slums in urban areas.
The southeast region covers an area of 23,551 sq.km, accounting for7.1% of the country's total. It has a population of around 18.8 millionpeople, or 18.9% of the national. As the biggest economic hub of thecountry, it holds a significant position and role in the national socio-economicdevelopment.
Illustrative image (Photo: congthuong.vn) Last year,its gross regional domestic product (GRDP) made up around 31% of the country’s totalwhile exports and budget revenue made up about 35% and 38% of thecountry's total figures, respectively. Its urbanisation rate reached 66.5%,which was 1.8 times the national average.
According to the Politburo’s resolution andthe Government’s action programme, the southeast region is expected to become adynamic and fast-growing area, a hub of sci-tech and innovation, industry and logistics, and an international financial centre with high competitiveness inthe region. It also strives to take the lead in renewing growth model anddigital transformation.
The region aims for sustainabledevelopment in tandem with protecting the environment and adapting to climatechange. It seeks to allocate and utilise natural resources in an effective mannerwhile preserving historical, cultural and natural heritages.
The Ministry of Planning and Investment was assignedto accelerate the planning of the region to ensure strategic connectivity andinfrastructure development that creates a unified economic space among thelocalities within its scope.
The PM suggested considering theestablishment of a Regional Infrastructure Development Fund to allocateseparate funding for the interconnected sectors and devise policies to pool socialresources for collaborative activities.
Regarding regional and provincial planning,he asked the council members to complete relevant procedures to promptly submitrelevant plans to competent authorities for approval, thus laying a foundationto coordinate regional connectivity activities.
At the event (Photo: VNA) With determination, unity and dedication of ministries, agenciesand localities, as well as support from experts, scientists, research institutes andrelevant partners, PM Chinh said he believes that the region will fulfill itsassigned tasks for prosperous development.
The conference heard proposals to establish startupcentres, promote innovation and artificial intelligence in Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong and Dong Nai provinces. Delegates also discussed solutions toaddressing environment issues and climate change adaptation, with a focus onprotecting the environment in Dong Nai and Saigon river basins; digitaltransformation and the establishment of a regional data centre.
They also proposed solutions to developing industrial, urban, service, and logisticbelts along Belt 3 and Belt 4 of Ho Chi Minh City. Specific mechanisms andpolicies were also suggested to develop transportation infrastructure, greenurban areas and financial centres, among others./.
