Kien Giang develops communications and transport

Kien Giang develops communications and transport

Kien Giang has developed its communication network and constructed important roads, especially on islands and in border areas.

Important achievements

Kien Giang’s communication and transport sector has made good use of projects funded by ODA, WB and ADB. Some projects have been completed such as Ha Giang, Vam Xang Thi Doi Bridges with ODA, 22 km of Provincial Road 11, of which the Tam Ngan, Tri Ton and Hon Soc link was funded by ADB, and the Tan Ngan flyover, Tac Cau port and dredging of the shipping lane from Ho Chi Minh VCity - Kien Luong by the remaining budget. Rural Project 2, with US$3.1 million in funding from the World Bank, has completed 28 bridges in An Minh, Giong Rieng and Hon Dat districts. Twenty more bridges will be built shortly and site clearance is prepared for 11 bridges on the road linking Nam Thai and Nam Thai A and An Bien district.

The province has also made major investments in the development of transportation, providing better means of transport, management and business activities. As a result, in 2003 the sector transported 2,916,000 tonnes of commodities, 15.71 per cent more than 2002, and 17,334,000 passengers, 10.85 per cent more than 2002.

New objectives

In the first half of 2004, the Kien Giang communications sector built several rural roads to Thanh Dong commune (Tan Hiep), Chac Kha - Ban Tan Dinh (Giong Rieng), Duong Xuong - Thoi Quan (Go Quao), Vinh Hoa (Vinh Thuan), An Minh Bac (An Minh), Dong Yen, Thanh Yen A and Nam Yen (An Bien). Projects on Highways 61 and 63 funded by the central government, and bridges using WB funds, are on schedule and will be completed by the end of 2004. In spite of limited resources, the maintenance of bridges and roads has been secured for the entire network. The province has also reorganised the transport routes to Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho and Long Xuyen. In the first half of 2004, the sector transported 1,458,000 tonnes of cargo, over 45 per cent of the yearly plan, and 9,494,000 passengers, just over 48 per cent of the yearly plan. Towards the end of 2004, the province will upgrade roads in urban areas as well as important roads in Tan Hiep, Giong Rieng and Vi Thanh districts, and Hon Chong Seaport, etc. Rural roads in 60 per cent of the communes will also be upgraded.

• My Phuong