Developing Transport Infrastructure, Creating Leverage for Economic Growth

Tien Giang is located in the Southern key economic region and is an economic gateway of the Mekong Delta provinces. Along with the advantage of geographical location, the large-scale urban development and completion of transport infrastructure become the core foundation contributing to investment attraction and local socio-economic development.

The Trung Luong-My Thuan Expressway running  along Tien Giang province is the main road connecting the Mekong Delta region with HCM City and Southern key economic region

Determining that "traffic going first to open a way", is the lifeblood of the economy - society, the investment in construction of transport infrastructure is always a top priority in Tien Giang. The province has closely coordinated with Central ministries and sectors to invest in key traffic works in the area such as: National highway 1, national highway 50, national highway 60, Trung Luong - My Thuan Expressway; upgrading Cho Gao Canal; Nguyen Van Tiep channel; roads connecting to industrial parks, clusters and rural traffic. These have formed a convenient waterway and road transport network, connecting smoothly between localities in the region and regions within the province; promoting trade and attracting investment.

Especially, in 2021, Tien Giang has put into use 5 key bridges in the area with an investment cost of over VND 638 billion. In particular, Binh Xuan Bridge is located on provincial road 863 connecting with national highway 50, creating convenient conditions for people's travel in Tan Phu Dong and Go Cong Tay districts, shortening the time to Ho Chi Minh City; Ngu Hiep Bridge which is located on provincial road 868 across Ngu Hiep Isle, is a route that will become a national highway connecting the provinces of Ben Tre, Tien Giang, Long An and Dong Thap.

Mr. Tran Van Bon, Director of Tien Giang Department of Transport, said that these works not only helped people travel smoothly, but also contributed to completing infrastructure and improving connectivity between regions, creating a great impetus in attracting investment and developing the local society and economy.

The Resolution of the 13th National Congress and the Resolution of the 11th Provincial Party Committee for the period 2020-2025 have identified the construction of a synchronous urban and rural infrastructure system as one of the strategic breakthroughs. Currently, the province is making a plan for the period of 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050; in which, the transport sector recommends the transport component on the plan to develop the transport infrastructure system and the logistics infrastructure integrated into the provincial planning.

In the coming time, Tien Giang will give priority to attracting investment in developing an infrastructure system having connectivity between the three economic regions of the province and inter-regional connectivity; speeding up the implementation of key projects in the 2020-2025 period, such as: Provincial road 864 (the road along Tien River), The road for industrial development in the East; Provincial road 873 from Binh Xuan bridge to national highway 50, Dong Thap Muoi development road.

For projects invested by the Central Government, the province will continue to coordinate with the Ministry of Transport to urge the completion of projects including: Trung Luong - My Thuan expressway, My Thuan 2 Bridge, Rach Mieu 2 Bridge, upgrading Cho Gao canal (phase 2), An Huu - Cao Lanh highway; a coastal road. For projects invested by the province, it will continue to accelerate the implementation progress, ensuring synchronous connectivity within the province and inter-region.

Besides, Tien Giang will promote the development of logistics infrastructure by planning 02 logistics centers in Go Cong Dong district and Tan Phuoc district. It will build clusters of ports, wharf areas of concentrated cargo on Tien River, Vam Co River, Soai Rap River, Cho Gao Canal and Thap Muoi Canal No. 2 as places to concentrate goods serving current industrial parks and large industrial clusters in the province and the ones formed in the future.

The province will closely coordinate with central ministries and sectors, mobilizing the participation of businesses to attract all resources for development investment; strengthen the state management in construction investment; strictly implementing the inspection, examination and supervision of investment activities.

Along with that, it will promote and innovate investment methods; promoting administrative procedure reform, proactively removing difficulties and accompanying businesses, contributing to strengthening the confidence of domestic and foreign investors. At the same time, it is necessary to restructure investment, speed up site clearance, and concentrate capital for projects with a great impact and impetus.

Hoai Nam (Vietnam Business Forum)