A corner of Phú Quốc, Kiên Giang Province. The province has proposed a list of 29 essential projects for the APEC Economic Leaders' Week 2027. — VNA/VNS Photo Lê Huy Hải

KIÊN GIANG — A special mechanism is necessary to expedite key projects in Kiên Giang Province in preparation for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit 2027, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Chí Dũng said during a meeting with central ministries and local authorities on May 4.

The meeting focused on reviewing and finalising the list of essential projects to be implemented in Phú Quốc City, which will host the major international event.

According to Phạm Mạnh Cường, Deputy Chairman of the Government Office, the province has proposed a total of 29 projects deemed vital for the successful organisation of APEC 2027.

The total estimated investment for these projects is around VNĐ220 trillion (approximately US$8.7 billion).

Of this, VNĐ17.5 trillion is expected from the central government budget, VNĐ23.9 trillion from the provincial budget, and VNĐ156.8 trillion mobilised through private and socialised sources.

Of the proposed projects, 15 are to be funded by the State budget, while two are to be carried out under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.

Based on urgency, 13 projects are classified as emergency public investments, and 16 require investor selection under special circumstances.

The provincial People's Committee reported that the latest proposal reflects a reduction of nine projects and a decrease of VNĐ85.3 trillion in total capital compared to the March 3 report to the Government's Standing Committee.

Compared with the April 21 meeting with Deputy PM Dũng, one project has been removed, reducing total capital by VNĐ264 billion.

Deputy Minister of Finance Đỗ Thành Trung emphasised the need for careful review, urging Kiên Giang to assess and justify each project's necessity, especially those that are truly indispensable for the summit. He raised concerns over certain privately funded projects, questioning whether they are directly related to the APEC event, and suggested seeking guidance from the Government’s Party Committee.

Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Nguyễn Thanh Nhàn explained that many of the socialised projects, such as waste treatment plants, water supply systems, and infrastructure upgrades, are being initiated by private enterprises taking advantage of the summit's momentum. These projects aim to not only support the APEC event but also stimulate long-term development in Phú Quốc, including complexes featuring office buildings, hotels, casinos, commercial centres, duty-free zones, and marinas.

Deputy PM Dũng affirmed that hosting APEC 2027 is a significant foreign affairs mission of the Party and the State, and an opportunity to showcase Việt Nam’s achievements after nearly 40 years of renewal.

The event is expected to provide a strong impetus for sustainable development in Kiên Giang, particularly in Phú Quốc.

He stressed the urgency of project implementation, noting that infrastructure such as the airport, conference centres, and connecting facilities must be completed several months before the event for test operations.

“All special mechanisms required must be granted to Kiên Giang,” he said. “These are national-level projects situated in Kiên Giang, and we must work together to deliver them with speed, quality, and efficiency.”

The Deputy PM praised Kiên Giang for its proactive efforts and acknowledged the support of ministries in implementing the Party and Government directives.

Two key documents will soon be issued to support these efforts including: a Government Resolution on the transfer of assets and the upgrade of Phú Quốc International Airport, to be processed under fast-track procedures; and a Prime Ministerial Decision assigning responsibilities to relevant agencies and allowing the application of special measures to fast-track key APEC-related projects.

The document will include six provisions, such as adjusting the provincial master plan, identifying urgent projects, applying emergency investment procedures, and enabling special licensing for construction materials.

Deputy PM Dũng also cautioned that even privately funded projects must be carefully planned, given their potential inclusion under emergency provisions.

He instructed the province to thoroughly review and include only projects directly or indirectly serving APEC 2027, avoiding the misuse of special mechanisms.— VNS