A ground-breaking ceremony for two major projects in the Chan May-Lang Co economic zone (EZ), central Thua Thien-Hue province, was held on Aug. 1 in the presence of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

The first project is to build a 280-hectare eco-tourism area in Loc Vinh commune, Phu Loc district.

The Laguna Hue eco-tourism project, built at a total cost of 875 million USD by the Singapore-based Banyan Trees group, will comprise of seven hotels with 2,000 rooms, 1,000 apartments, a conference hall, a trade centre, a golf court and other recreational facilities.

The project is divided into four phases, with the first one lasting until the end of 2011 to build the Banyan Tree Hue and Angsana Hue resorts, a 18-hole golf court and apartments at a total value of 250 million USD.

The second project is the Saigon-Chan May industrial and customs duty free zone with a total investment capital of 1.28 trillion VND.

The industrial zone will cover over 170 ha and the duty-free zone – 487.6 ha.

The project will be divided into two phases with the first expected to be completed by late 2011 and the second by late 2014.

In his speech, PM Dung appreciated Thua Thien-Hue province’s efforts to develop infrastructure for and draw investment into the Chan May-Lang Co EZ, one of the 13 economic zones approved by the PM.

After three years of operation, the EZ have attracted 33 projects with a total registered capital of 2 billion USD.

The PM said the EZ congregates various potentials and advantages as it owns the Chan May deep seaport, the Lang Co bay that has been recognised as one of the world’s most beautiful bays, the Tam Giang-Cau Hai langoon, Bach Ma mountain and a number of heritage sites such as Phong Nha-Ke Bang, Hue ancient capital, Hoi An ancient town and My Son sanctuary.

PM Dung expressed hopes that the two major projects would create impetus for the socio-economic development in Thua Thien-Hue province as well as the whole central region./.