A view of Quảng Yên Town, Quảng Ninh Province. Quảng Yên Economic Zone has been added to the national planning of coastal EZs, bringing the total number of coastal EZs in Việt Nam to 19. – Photo baoquangninh.com.vn

HÀ NỘI – Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has approved adding Quảng Yên Economic Zone (EZ) in the northern province of Quảng Ninh to the national planning of coastal EZs.

The People’s Committee of Quảng Ninh Province will be in charge of making planning for the 13,300 ha EZ to ensure its development doesn't harm the or national defence and security, while also preserving the forest and historical and cultural relics.

Quảng Ninh will also be in charge of attracting appropriate investment into Quảng Yên EZ and developing its infrastructure to ensure connectivity between the EZ and others to form a dynamic economic hub for the northern province and the northern key economic region.

With the development of the transport infrastructure system in recent years, especially the Hạ Long – Hải Phòng Expressway and Bạch Đằng Bridge, Quảng Yên has attracted large investments in property development.

For example, Hạ Long Xanh Complex is set to cover nearly 3,200 hectares with total investment of more than US$7 billion and include a modern, smart and environmentally friendly urban area by 2029.

Another project is Amata Agroup’s Song Khoai Industrial Park with a total area of 714 hectares worth $155 million in Quảng Yên Town.

Under the planning of developing coastal EZs of Việt Nam by 2020 approved in September 2008, 15 coastal EZs were founded. Three were added in 2010.

According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, these 18 existing EZs have a total area of 730,550 ha, or 2 per cent of the country’s area. – VNS