In the orientation of building a free trade nation, the central city of Da Nang must play a pivotal role, lead the way, and conduct a pilot project with a bold spirit, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Saturday.

PM Pham Minh Chinh speaking at the meeting

The cabinet leader made the request while chairing the first meeting of the Steering Committee for implementation of the Resolution on urban governance and pilot special mechanisms and policies for Da Nang’s development.

The resolution, issued on June 26, 2024 and set to take effect from January 1, 2025, outlines priority mechanisms and policies to support Da Nang development, including those on financial management and State budget; infrastructure construction, including seaports; attraction of strategic investors in innovation, research and development, data, semiconductor and AI; and management and operation of free trade zones.

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung presenting a report at the meeting. Photo: WORKING DELEGATION

According to the report at the meeting, in 2024, Da Nang's socio-economic situation continued to record many bright spots in many fields. Notably, the gross regional domestic product (GRDP) is estimated to have increased by 7.51% year-on-year, higher than the national average, ranking the second among the 5 centrally-run cities, third in the central key economic zone, and 29^th out of the 63 provinces and cities nationwide.

The city’s total state budget revenue is estimated to have reached at VND 25,760.4 billion, exceeding 33.3% of the estimate assigned by the municipal People's Council and increasing by 20% compared to 2023. The total development investment capital in the city is likely to have stood at VND 32.85 trillion, up 7.2%. Social security has been ensured, and the poverty rate has decreased to 0.62%, much lower than the national average (1.93%). National defence and security have been consolidated and enhanced.

Along with that, with the drastic direction of the Prime Minister, and the close coordination with ministries and central agencies, the implementation of Resolution No. 136/2024/QH15 in the city has achieved many encouraging results.

Many tasks have been completed such as the draft project to establish a Free Trade Zone, and a draft project to adjust and supplement the state management function for the Authority of Da Nang High-Tech Park.

The city has called on potential investors at both home and abroad to learn about investment opportunities in the city, including Adani Group of India, Sumitomo Group of Japan, A.P.Mollez - Maersk (including Maersk Group and APM Terminals Group of Denmark), the world's leading semiconductor design enterprises such as Synopsys, Marvell, Nvidia, Qualcom, Intel and Foxlink, and large domestic corporations such as Sungroup and BRG.

The city has established the Da Nang Semiconductor and Artificial Intelligence Center for Research and Training (DSAC); as well as basically completed the issuance of mechanisms and policies to promote the development of hi-tech, semiconductor and AI industries in order to create new driving forces for the city's progress in the coming time.

Da Nang has proposed that the Prime Minister consider and approve the detailed planning of seaports, ports, wharves, buoys, water areas, and water regions for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050 to deploy activities and call for investment in Lien Chieu Port and Tien Sa Port.

Secretary of the Da Nang Party Committee Nguyen Van Quang speaking at the meeting. Photo: WORKING DELEGATION

Da Nang's breakthrough will lead to development of entire region

In his concluding remarks, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasised that if the country wants to develop, each locality must maximise its unique potential, outstanding opportunities, and competitive advantages. In particular, with its glorious cultural and historical tradition, and its tradition of innovation and creativity, Da Nang is a pioneer in building mechanisms and policies, organising apparatus, and enhancing the investment and business environment.

Regarding the future direction, the Prime Minister informed that Viet Nam will build a free trade nation, thereby contributing to renewing the three traditional growth driving forces (investment, export, consumption) and promoting new ones. He also highlighted the important role of Da Nang in taking lead in the journey.

According to him, the city must fully harness its distinctive potential, outstanding opportunities, and competitive advantages to achieve double-digit economic growth in the coming years, solidifying its role as a growth hub of the Central - Central Highlands regions and the nation.

The city was requested to continue to closely follow the guidelines and policies of the Party and State, and the leadership and direction of the Politburo, the Secretariat, the National Assembly, the Government, and the Prime Minister.

He said building on its spirit of innovation and creativity, Da Nang should take drastic actions and enhance decentralisation and delegation of authority. This should be accompanied by the allocation of adequate resources, improved accountability of individuals and capability of agencies at all levels.

Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee Le Trung Chinh speaking at the meeting. Photo: WORKING DELEGATION

"Ministries, sectors and Da Nang must have a breakthrough mindset to create resources for the central city, have a strategic vision to create motivation, aspiration and overcome the limits of Da Nang itself, and have mechanisms and policies to mobilize all legal resources (including State, private and social resources, public-private partnerships, etc.) in all fields. Relevant units must think deeply and do big things in order not to waste time and opportunities", the Prime Minister emphasised.

Open, modern mechanisms and policies

Regarding the key tasks and solutions in the coming time, the Prime Minister requested the Steering Committee to strengthen leadership and direction in organising implementation and improving the effectiveness of coordination and information sharing between ministries, central agencies and Da Nang.

Da Nang should uphold the spirit of responsibility, positivity and proactiveness; promote the role of the leader; and regularly review, promptly detect and remove difficulties and obstacles arising within their authority.

According to him, the central beach city should improve its business climate in tandem with developing strategic infrastructure that is synchronous, seamless, convenient, modern and smart, with a special focus on tapping outer, marine and underground spaces.

The city was asked to study truly open mechanisms and policies tailored to Viet Nam's conditions and the global trends. The acceleration of digital transformation in management and investment, driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and comprehensive data resources, is essential. By exploring cloud computing and the Internet of Things, Da Nang could create optimal conditions for its citizens and businesses to flourish, he said.

In collaboration with relevant ministries and sectors, Da Nang must expedite the establishment of innovation hubs, free trade zones, and an International Financial Centre, he said, adding the swift development of reclaimed land projects and raising public awareness of the Resolution are also critical.

Efforts should be made to build consensus among residents, and help them understand the benefits from the implementation of specific tasks, solutions, mechanisms and policies.

Also at the meeting, Prime Minister gave instructions on Da Nang's recommendations and proposals related to the Free Trade Zone and the Lien Chieu Seaport, as well as approved the detailed planning of seaports, ports, wharves, pontoons, water areas, and water regions for the 2021-2030 period; and adjusted the city’s master plan.

Reporting by THANH LAN, WORKING DELEGATION - Translating by M.DUNG