APEC 2017: Symposium focuses on special economic zones
A symposium on special economic zones and tourism took place in the central city of Da Nang on November 7 within the framework of the Vietnam Business Summit.
A view of Nha Trang city in Khanh Hoa province. The province plans to call for investment in its Bac Van Phong Special Administrative and Economic Zone (Source: VNA)
Da Nang (VNA) – A symposium onspecial economic zones and tourism took place in the central city of Da Nang onNovember 7 within the framework of the Vietnam Business Summit.
Vu Thanh Tu Anh, Director of Research at theFulbright Economics Teaching Programme in Ho Chi Minh City and member of thePrime Minister’s advisory team, said that the special economic zone model isexpected to become a new driving force for economic growth.
Vietnam has 18 economic zones, but many ofthem have not been prioritised for investment.
To make special economic zones successful,special regulations, firm legal frameworks and dynamism and creativity areneeded, Anh stressed.
Deputy Minister of Planning and InvestmentNguyen Van Trung said that many countries have invested much in buildingspecial economic zones.
Special economic zones can attract moreforeign investment and help the country better integrate into the globaleconomy, Trung added.
The government has decided to initially develop three specialadministrative – economic units – Van Don in northern Quang Ninh province, BacVan Phong in central Khanh Hoa province and Phu Quoc in southern Kien Giangprovince.
Special administrative-economic units are magnets for investment, hightechnology and advanced management modes, aiming to form a high growth areathat accelerates local economic restructuring and development.
Regarding tourism, Anh said that Vietnam’stourism sector has enjoyed growth of 25-27 percent in recent years. The numberof tourists to the country recorded an impressive rise of nearly 30 percent inthe first nine months of this year.
The Vietnam Business Summit 2017 is a partof the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week which is taking place in Da Nang city fromNovember 6-11. -VNA
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A view of Nha Trang city in Khanh Hoa province. The province plans to call for investment in its Bac Van Phong Special Administrative and Economic Zone (Source: VNA) 
