Mekong Delta to boost investment in transport infrastructure

Mekong Delta to boost investment in transport infrastructure

HCM CITY — The Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta region needs a special mechanism to improve its transport infrastructure to reduce logistics costs, bolster competitiveness and boost agricultural exports, Minister of Transport Nguyễn Văn Thể has said.

Speaking at a recent online meeting, Thể said his ministry would increase investment in transport infrastructure in the region with a focus on the Trung Lương – Mỹ Thuận expressway, especially its Mỹ Thuận  二 Bridge and Mỹ Thuận – Cần Thơ and Cần Thơ - Cà Mau sections. 

It would work with provinces to solicit private investment in the HCM City – Cần Thơ railway, he said. 

To fund the works, he proposed that the Government should issue bonds. 

He also called on local provinces to focus on major projects such as Trần Đề Port and the Cần Thơ-Cà Mau, Châu Đốc-Cà Mau and Kiên Giang-Bạc Liêu expressways. 

Lê Đỗ Mười, director of the Institute of Transport Strategy and Development, said infrastructure in the region has improved significantly in recent times, allowing businesses to buy agricultural products directly instead of through traders.

As of last year, the national highway network in the region stretched some  二, 六 八 八km,  五 二 per cent longer than in  二00 二.

It has an inland waterways network of more than  六, 一00km and  一 二 ports with  七, 六 四 二m of wharves,  二 三 berths and  一 六 transshipment areas. 

Many ports have been built in the last  二0 years, including Cái Cui - Cần Thơ port, Vinalines Hậu Giang port complex and Trà Cú - Trà Vinh port, which can berth ships of up to  二0,000 DWT. 

The Cần Thơ and Phú Quốc international airports and Cà Mau and Rạch Giá domestic airports have all been upgraded to have a total capacity of  七. 四 五 million passengers and  一 二,000 tonnes of cargo a year.

But Mười also pointed out that inter-provincial roads in the region are poorly connected and provincial roads are too narrow.

Many highways connecting local provinces and cities with co妹妹ercial and logistics centres in HCM City are under construction, he said.

“The Mekong Delta lacks a special policy for development and human resources. But the poorly connected transport infrastructure is the most critical issue.”

Experts said the region has great potential for development, especially of agricultural and seafood exports, but faces difficulties due to the poorly connected transport system, which results in high transport costs.

The region also lacks a deep-water port to ship exports, and so all the goods must be taken to ports in HCM City and Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu Province, increasing costs.

Reco妹妹endations

Mekong Delta provinces wanted the Government and transport ministry to speed up work on major roads in the region such as the East-West and North - South expressways.

Trần Trí Quang, vice chairman of the Đồng Tháp Province People’s Co妹妹ittee, said priority should be given to improving connectivity within the region.

Trần Anh Thư, vice chairman of the An Giang People’s Co妹妹ittee, reco妹妹ended the use of BOT and PPP models to invest in transport infrastructure to reduce pressure on public resources.

Thể said his ministry has proposed a number of policies to the Government to mobilise investment for the region.

He urged provinces and agencies to speed up the construction of highways and develop a comprehensive water transport system.

According to a report by the ministry, public spending in the region in  二00 三- 二0 has been around VNĐ 一0 九. 二 四 trillion, higher than the national average (VNĐ 八 七. 八 七 trillion). 

The delta is home to nearly  二0 million people and an agro hub of the country. — VNS