The Ministry of Planning and Investment chaired two seminars in Ha Noi on August 10 to collect opinions from central ministries and branches on the draft Master Plan for major developments in Da Nang in the 2021 - 2030 period, with a vision to 2050.

A seminar in Ha Noi on August 10 to collect opinions from central ministries and branches on the draft Master Plan for major developments in Da Nang in the 2021 - 2030 period, with a vision to 2050 in progress. Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

Chaired by Director of Planning Management Department under the Ministry of Planning and Industry Dinh Trong Thang, the first seminar, on the morning of August 10, focused on assessing and commenting on the draft.

During the event, participating delegates from central ministries and branches gave specific and objective analysis and assessments to help Da Nang complete its draft master plan with a view to ensuring the promotion of its role, position and potential as an international commercial gateway and a leading economic hub of the country and the Central Viet Nam and Central Highlands regions.

The delegates pointed out some challenges facing Da Nang, especially in terms of competitiveness and coherence in the value chain, and the quality of human resources.

Also, the regional linkages between Da Nang and its neighbouring localities are still not commensurate with the city’s potential, strengths and expectations. The city lacks an effective coordination mechanism for economic development in linkages with other localities.

Meanwhile, when chairing the second seminar on the afternoon of the same day, Deputy Director of Planning Management Department Le Van Thuy, highlighted the significance of the consultation of experts, and representatives of relevant ministries and branches in helping Da Nang complete its strategic environmental assessment report and finalize the draft to submit to competent authorities in accordance with regulations.

Accordingly, the draft master plan outlines five spearhead sectors, namely high-quality tourism and resort services; seaports and airports associated with logistics services; high-tech industry associated with creative and start-up urban areas; information technology, electronics and telecommunications industries associated with the digital economy; and high-tech agricultural product and fishery manufacturing.

In addition, the draft strategic environmental assessment identifies the main environmental issues affected by the plan, the current state of environmental components and natural resources, and solutions on waste reduction.

During the event, the participants commented on a number of specific environmental targets in Da Nang, the risk of water pollution in urban areas, industrial parks, handicraft villages, animal husbandry facilities, and biodiversity loss.

They stressed the need for the city to supplement environmental protection solutions in terms of controlling and preventing plastic waste pollution at sea, and treating wastewater from the mainland and from ships on the bay.

They also underlined a must-do for the city to supplement priority projects on biodiversity conservation, and programmes on digital transformation in biodiversity conservation and management; eradicate invasive alien species; and increase people's awareness about biodiversity.

Regarding the plan to protect and exploit natural resources, the master plan needs to supplement, clarify and update principles in water resource management, the application of environmental zoning, and targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Reporting by TRIEU TUNG - Translating by M.DUNG