After the government gave nod to the revised master plan, Van Phong Economic Zone (EZ) in Khanh Hoa province is sprinting to complete its zoning plans before rolling out the red carpet to welcome investors. At the same time, the Van Phong Economic Zone Authority is also making efforts to gradually become a leading light, a pillar for the future development of Khanh Hoa province. To better understand this determination, Vietnam Business Forum has an exclusive interview with Mr. Le Hong Phuong, Deputy Director of the authority.
Van Phong EZ is considered a magnet to attract strategic investors. Could you please prove this with specific figures?
On June 16, 2022, the National Assembly issued Resolution No. 55/2022/QH15 on piloting some specific mechanisms and policies for Khanh Hoa development, including those for the development of Van Phong EZ), especially policies on attracting strategic investors for seven groups of priority industries and occupations in Van Phong EZ. These are favorable factors for Van Phong EZ to transform and flourish.
Leaders of the Van Phong EZ Authority and representatives from some businesses conduct a visit to assess the investment and operational status of Nam Van Phong International Port
To attract investment capital for the above industries and occupations, the authority consulted competent agencies on building a list of prioritized projects in Van Phong EZ (including 30 projects and project groups) and the Executive Board of the Provincial Party Committee agreed on this list in Resolution No. 25-NQ/TU. At the same time, after the revised mater plan of Van Phong EZ to 2040 and further to 2050 was approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 298/QD-TTg, Van Phong Economic Zone Authority has focused on simultaneously carrying out 19 zoning plans, including four zones (01, 02, 03 and 08) approved by the Provincial People's Committee and the remainder being executed (four expected to be approved in 2024).
At the same time, the authority has also actively approached and attracted big investors to key projects to tap potential industries and fields such as petrochemical refining, liquefied petroleum gas import port and warehouse, clean energy production (green hydrogen), integrated port and port logistics services, high-end coastal urban areas, high-end resorts and industrial parks. It also advised the Provincial People's Committee to sign 11 memorandums of understanding (MoU) with a total pledged capital of VND76 trillion at an investment promotion conference in 2023. At present, under the close direction of the Provincial People's Committee and the participation of specialized agencies, a number of key projects in the northern region are carrying out investment procedures like Tu Bong high-end new urban area and Dam Mon high-end new urban area with VND65 trillion of total investment capital.
One of the notable resolutions of the 18th Khanh Hoa Provincial Party Congress (2020 - 2025 term) means building a dynamic Van Phong EZ, a driving force of both Khanh Hoa and the entire Southern Central region. What key tasks will the authority have to do?
To fulfil its tasks, Van Phong Economic Zone Authority will urgently complete zoning plans for construction of functional areas to lay the groundwork for attracting investment capital into Van Phong EZ; step up investment promotion to find strategic investors; and call for investment in prioritized, key industries; work with investors signing memorandums of understanding (MoU) to support and guide them in preparing necessary documents (especially projects engaged in seaports, industrial parks and petrochemical refining); and invest in developing the Van Phong EZ infrastructure system as a foundation to lead and attract private investment.
Directing Van Phong EZ as a sustainable development area, with an important position in socioeconomic development, national security and defense, how will the authority continue to focus on administrative procedure reform?
Currently, the authority has received, processed and delivered settlement results of administrative records at the modern Provincial Public Administration Service Center, powered by the software system for reception and return of administrative applications, automatic numbering and tagging, and automatic lookup, surveillance camera systems for stronger inspection and supervision of public employees, and the provision of 32 full-process online public services and seven partial online public services. From now until the end of 2024, we will strive to digitize 100% of administrative files and issue electronic administrative settlement results (electronic copies with legal value), enabling people and businesses to perform administrative procedures without having to resupply information, identity papers and related documents accepted from the successful completion of administrative procedures.
In the coming time, Van Phong Economic Zone Authority will continue to apply digital transformation to management, enhance information technology application, provide public services in association with digitization and use of digitized records, papers, and return settlement results of administrative procedures. Moreover, the authority will increase communications, guidance, and perception of businesses in participating in high-level online public services and enhancing skills and expertise, especially in IT application for better reception and delivery of administrative procedures.
In addition, what policies will Van Phong EZ continue to have to effectively encourage and attract investors in the future?
To continue making Van Phong EZ a “red address” for investors in the Southern Central Coast, Van Phong Economic Zone Authority will continue to effectively implement policies on taxes and land rents for enterprises; coordinate well with relevant agencies and local authorities to execute specific mechanism of Resolution 55 on strategic investors in the fastest and most effective manner; measure, count and verify land origin before announcing land reclamation; and adopt open mechanisms for planning management, land management and administrative reform. Moreover, the authority will review and advise the Provincial People's Committee to prioritize investment in synchronous technical and social infrastructure to create the most favorable conditions for production and business operations of tenants. Hopefully, in the near future, Van Phong Economic Zone will fully develop its potential and strengths, attract more domestic and foreign investors, and become one of the modern marine economic centers with breakthrough development as expected.
Thank you so much!
Hoang Lam (Vietnam Business Forum)
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