Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has issued a plan in line with a Party Political Bureau conclusion on the overall development in the southern region to 2020, according to the Government Portal.

The Political Bureau adopted Conclusion No. 27-KL/TW on August 2, 2012 to realise its Resolution No. 53-NQ/TW dated August 29, 2005 on accelerating socio-economic development and defense and security maintenance in the southeastern region and the southern key economic zone towards 2020.

Accordingly, ministries and agencies under the Government, the People’s Committees of cities and provinces in the above-mentioned areas will work together to realise measures on accelerating the socio-economic development and guaranteeing the national defense and security.

Besides, the plan aims to develop value-added and hightech-contained industries, increase the competitiveness of major industries such as mechanics, electronics, promote services such as finance, banking, trade, telecommunication, and enhance sustainable agriculture development.

Provinces need to complete an infrastructure system connecting localities in the region, give priority to developing green and ecological urban areas, upgrade highways and build Long Thanh international airport by 2020.

The plan also aims to strengthen cooperation on investment promotion, technology transfer and labour supply between localities in the Southern key economic zone with others in the Mekong Delta, the central region and the Central Highlands.

The southeastern region and the southern key economic zone encompass Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Tay Ninh, Binh Phuoc, Long An and Tien Giang.-VNA