Construction at Mỹ Thuỷ Seaport, Quảng Trị, The central province is seeking to develop a free trade zone to strengthen its maritime economy. — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Thuỷ

HÀ NỘI — Quảng Trị Province has proposed a free trade zone covering nearly 2,800 hectares, linked to its planned airport and seaport, with an aim to turn the central province into an international trade and logistics hub and strengthen its maritime economy.

Under a proposal prepared by consultants, the free trade zone would be developed under an integrated model connected to the planned Quảng Trị Airport and Mỹ Thủy Seaport, with two functional subzones.

The first zone covers around 555ha and will be located within an urban area and focus on trade, services and urban logistics. It would also include non-tariff facilities linked to Quảng Trị Airport to facilitate air cargo movement.

The second, spanning about 2,230ha, would be dedicated to high-tech industries, export processing, logistics and warehousing, with direct connections to Mỹ Thủy Seaport to support maritime trade and industrial development.

Upgrades of transport infrastructure have also been proposed to strengthen east-west and north-south connectivity, including Quảng Trị Airport, Mỹ Thủy Seaport and the proposed Mỹ Thủy–Đông Hà–Lao Bảo railway.

The proposal also calls for further investment in coastal roads and multimodal transport links combining road, rail, sea and air transport.

Provincial authorities said the proposal aims to create a new growth space rather than simply develop infrastructure to capitalise on Quảng Trị's strategic location for connecting international border gates with seaports.

Quảng Trị is also working to develop special policy mechanisms aimed to attract major domestic and foreign investors to the free trade zone. — VNS