Ba Ria-Vung Tau (VNA) – PrimeMinister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on May 30 requested the southern key economic regionto strive to become a powerful and prosperous region by 2035, ten years aheadof the deadline for the same goal for the whole Vietnam.

He made the remarks while chairing ameeting in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province between permanent Government members and officialsof the eight localities in this region, which comprises Ho Chi Minh City andthe seven provinces of Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, TayNinh, Long An, and Tien Giang.

The southern key economic region isthe only of its kind in Vietnam that boasts sufficient conditions andadvantages for industrial and service development to achieve a fast, efficientand sustainable growth. It is currently the largest FDI magnet of the country,a leading economic driver, and a gateway for Vietnam’s trading with the world.

Addressing the event, PM Phuc applaudedthe eight localities’ attainments in COVID-19 prevention and control, socialsecurity ensuring, and economic development, which have joined the entirecountry’s efforts to defeat the pandemic.

He also highly valued their resolve ineconomic development and persistence with the initial targets set for this year.

Regarding the region’s developmentgoal, he emphasised that this is the key among the four key economic regions ofVietnam, describing it as a “diamond octagon” in SoutheastAsia as well as Asia given its economic development and healthy livingenvironment.

The PM pointed out that the strengthand competitiveness of this region outpace the others’, asking the localitiesto bring into play their solidarity and join hands to innovate and holdresponsibility for national development.

Responding to proposals submitted atthe meeting, PM Phuc assigned relevant agencies to devise special mechanismsfor key economic regions, especially the southern one.

He told the Ministry of Planning andInvestment to consider an aid package from the Government for the localities toinvest in urgent infrastructure and transport facilities – a factor of leadingimportance in local socio-economic development.

Meanwhile, the State Bank of Vietnamand the Ministry of Finance need to work on solutions to facilitate creditinstitutions’ engagement in infrastructure development projects, particularlythose under the private-public partnership (PPP). The Ministry of Transport hasto establish projects on boosting transport connectivity among industrial parksand economic zones in the region.

The eight localities need to prioritisedeveloping digital economy, e-commerce, and the 5G network, which are crucialfor high technology development, according to him.

At the session, the PM also askedthem to implement the Government’s recently-issued Resolution 84/NQ-CP well soas to further tackle production and business difficulties and stimulate consumerdemand which is an important driving force for GDP growth.

Prior to the meeting, PM Phuc hadmade a fact-finding tour of Cai Mep-Thi Vai Port in Phu My town, Phuoc An Bridge,the location of the Cai Mep Ha logistics project, and Hyosung Industrial Parkin Ba Ria-Vung Tau./.