u88 Opportunities at the “doorstep”
Đăng ngày:
Chan May Port - the final point of EWEC passing through Hue towards the East Sea Opportunity、EWEC was initiated at the 8th Greater Mekong Subregion Ministerial Conference, held in the Philippines in 1998. During this conference, a regional economic cooperation program was proposed, featuring a 1,450-km-long road corridor starting from Mawlamyine and ending in Da Nang , linking four countries: Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. This corridor has been fully operational since 2006. EWEC offers opportunities to strengthen economic cooperation, promote trade, investment, and development among the participating countries, connecting Indochina to the East Sea and further to Asia’s and the world's major economic and trade routes... an opportunity that Hue is also part of. Hue enjoys several advantages in this initiative when analyzed within Vietnam’s internal region. While the provinces and cities of Quang Binh, Quang Tri, and Da Nang lie along the corridor, Hue has a border of over 80 km with the Lao provinces of Sekong and Salavan, connected via the A Dot and Hong Van border gates. This allows Hue to play a close role in linking Central and Southern Laos and Northeastern Thailand along the western corridor toward the East Sea, through the final point at Chan May and Thuan An ports. This is the “last stop” of EWEC through Hue for the two-way exchange of goods between Thailand and Laos. During work trips to Phu Loc around 15 years ago, the then-district leader stated: "The provincial leadership is focused on 'paving the way' to attract investment to the region and transform Hue into an economic and social center in Central Vietnam." According to this leader and leading experts, it was clear that there had been careful consideration of the mutual benefits between EWEC and Hue, with ambitious development plans ahead. Their expectations were well-founded, as Hue has numerous advantages. It is a cultural city with eight UNESCO-recognized heritage sites, an ecosystem rich in industrial, agricultural, service, and tourism potential. In tourism alone, Hue consistently offers visitors unique emotions, with stunning natural scenery, mountains, waterfalls, and some of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam, including Lang Co, a World Beautiful Bay. These potentials have attracted major investors and businesses through genuine partnerships. Recalling visits with provincial leaders to Central and Southern Laos, as well as trips to explore tourism cooperation opportunities in Northeastern Thailand nearly 15 years ago, EWEC was one of the key topics of discussion. Since then, partnerships have been strengthened through investment exchange programs and socio-economic development support projects, leading to increased trade and commerce. Over time, EWEC has become clearer, fostering confidence in Hue’s potential for interregional economic development. Recently, Hue has embraced numerous opportunities from the central government and ministries, leading to the establishment of Economic and Industrial Zones such as Phu Bai, Chan May, and others across districts and towns, including Phu Da , Tu Ha , Phong Dien , and Quang Vinh . These zones are gradually attracting both domestic and foreign investors. One of the greatest advantages for investors in Hue is the accessibility of manufactured goods not only via National Highway 1A, the North-South railway, and Phu Bai International Airport but also through a vast and level port system. Chan May Port, for instance, is the "heart" of the Chan May - Lang Co Economic Zone, a gateway to the East Sea that regularly welcomes international ships with capacities exceeding 70,000 tons. As Hue transitions into a centrally governed municipality, it gains even more momentum, especially with improved transportation infrastructure. Visitors today are often surprised by the remarkable development of both intra- and inter-regional transportation networks. Within the "doorstep" of EWEC, key transport projects include the Cam Lo - La Son and La Son - Tuy Loan expressways, Phu Bai International Airport, and Hai Van Tunnel. In addition to the expressways, many roads have been expanded, such as National Highway 49A from Hue to A Luoi and TL14 from Phu Loc, as well as multiple cross-region highways connected to National Highway 1A. Opportunities, combined with potential and advantages, provide Hue with the mindset and confidence to act alongside EWEC. This is also the perspective of experts, economists, and businesses when discussing the corridor. At an investment promotion conference at Chan May Port in late 2022, a business representative shared: "I chose Hue and the Chan May - Lang Co Economic Zone for investment because I carefully considered many advantages, including the two-way trade benefits of EWEC." Huynh Thang, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Pisico Hue Export Processing Company, which has been based in Chan May - Lang Co Economic Zone for nearly 20 years, also expressed strong support for EWEC. He stated that both he and the workers in his company have benefited from EWEC. However, he is concerned about ensuring EWEC's shortest and most efficient route to Hue. Currently, the A Dot and Hong Van border gates are "not yet open for commercial traffic," requiring businesses to use border gates in neighboring provinces for imports and exports. This issue has become a common concern among businesses and the management board of the province’s Economic and Industrial Zones. The cost of transporting goods between EWEC and Hue remains high compared to neighboring provinces, and provinces like Quang Tri, Quang Binh, and Da Nang have larger border gates with better connectivity to EWEC. Thus, the "bottleneck" of EWEC’s route to Hue has been identified. Many are hopeful that this issue will soon be resolved, especially as Hue becomes a centrally governed municipality. Hue is also the first centrally governed municipality in Vietnam with a shared border with another country. Expectations are further reinforced by the recent approval of Hue’s provincial planning for 2021-2030, with a vision toward 2050, in which EWEC is considered a breakthrough strategy for Hue’s socio-economic development. The most recent exciting news is that Laos and Thailand are preparing to construct the 6th Friendship Bridge over the Mekong River in 2025. Meanwhile, Hue has requested that central ministries and agencies consider upgrading and expanding the A Dot - Hong Van border gate system and improving transportation connectivity in accordance with the master plan. EWEC’s path through Hue to the East Sea is gradually becoming clearer, welcoming an increasing flow of goods and trade.
Strong confidence