Transforming Transport Infrastructure to Drive Socio-economic Development

During the mid-term of 2020-2025, the transport sector of Ca Mau province has promoted the important role of transport infrastructure in driving the province's socio-economic development. Mr. Le Thanh Huan, Deputy Director of the Department of Transport, highlighted that the sector is committed to effectively executing its tasks. He noted that digital transformation is a key focus, aiming to fundamentally alter management and operational methods and modernize the transport sector.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh inspects the upgrading and renovation of Ca Mau airport runway

Effective implementation of planning work

In recent years, Ca Mau province's transport sector has achieved significant results in planning, investment management and infrastructure construction. The sector has successfully coordinated the development of transport infrastructure plans integrated into the Ca Mau Provincial Planning for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, which was approved by the Prime Minister in Decision 1386/QD-TTg. Additionally, the Ca Mau Provincial Airport Planning for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, was approved by the Minister of Transport in Decision 791/QD-BGTVT. Alongside implementing key transport projects, the sector effectively manages and maintains existing infrastructure, ensuring regular upkeep and cost-efficiency.

"Investing in transport infrastructure is important for balancing the interests of the State, investors and the public while ensuring national defense and security. We will concentrate on mobilizing capital to develop both road and waterway infrastructure systems, ensuring synchronized and effective connectivity. This investment aligns with the goal of building new rural areas, creating a cohesive economic environment, overcoming bottlenecks, and promoting socio-economic development to enhance people's lives," Mr. Le Thanh Huan emphasized.

Creating positive changes gradually

In the future, the transport sector will still face new and significant demands related to socio-economic development and national defense and security. To meet these challenges, the sector must work alongside various units and the broader society to drive comprehensive changes in transport infrastructure. This includes adhering closely to the transport infrastructure development plan for Ca Mau province for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, ensuring that the planning incorporates breakthroughs and innovations. Key projects include the planned extension of the expressway from Ca Mau city to Dat Mui and alignment with the Road Network Planning for 2021-2023, with a vision to 2050. Notably, this includes the Can Tho-Ca Mau expressway, part of the North-South expressway in the East, extending approximately 22 km through the province and connecting to the Southern Coastal Corridor route in Ho Thi Ky commune, Thoi Binh district.

Huan added that the planning of the expressway route to Dat Mui, combined with the development of Hon Khoai port as a major port capable of handling ships up to 160,000 tons, represents a breakthrough in traffic infrastructure planning. This will provide a strong impetus for socio-economic development and enhance national security and defense for Ca Mau province and the Mekong Delta region as a whole.

Given the constraints of limited budget capital, attracting diverse investment sources for developing the traffic infrastructure system is essential. The transport sector has previously worked with relevant departments to advise the Provincial People's Committee on utilizing socialized capital for infrastructure development. The sector proposed that the central government provide support to gradually complete the provincial road system and main routes connecting economic clusters and industrial parks. This support is important for attracting investment in other infrastructure areas, such as seaports, inland waterway ports, and bus stations.

The transport sector is accompanying the province in enhancing the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI). From the sector's perspective, this involves focusing on effective management of transport, vehicles, and drivers. The sector will also accelerate projects with allocated capital, including those mobilizing both state and private funds, to ensure timely completion and operational efficiency. Key actions include implementing comprehensive solutions to mobilize resources, promoting socialized investment in transport infrastructure, and attracting external capital to supplement state funding for important projects. Additionally, the sector will review and learn from public-private partnership (PPP) mechanisms to improve task execution and investment outcomes.

Reforming administrative procedures will be a key focus. This involves reviewing and evaluating current procedures to propose necessary amendments, supplements, replacements, or abolishment of those that are outdated, inconvenient, or costly for businesses. The decisions of the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee regarding the approval and integration of online public services on the National Public Service Portal will be implemented in the province. The sector will ensure timely handling of feedback and recommendations from individuals and organizations related to administrative matters. Regular dialogues will be organized with the public and businesses to address issues related to mechanisms, policies and administrative procedures. Anti-corruption programs and plans will be effectively implemented. Appropriate solutions will be developed to encourage and incorporate feedback from businesses, creating the most favorable conditions for them in law enforcement.

Digital transformation is identified as a key breakthrough that will support the management of road and inland waterway infrastructure, transport management, and other aspects in each locality. This transformation is expected to drive positive changes in achieving the transport sector’s goals, enhancing convenience, safety and efficiency for the public. It aims to create a transformative impact on the socio-economic development of the province and the region as a whole.

By Phuong Hien, Vietnam Business Forum