A groundbreaking ceremony held last November. Despite much fanfare, the project's progress has been sluggish, three years after being approved by the provincial government. — Photo baolangson.vn

LẠNG SƠN — Local authorities of Cao Lộc Commune in northern border Lạng Sơn Province have until July 15 to complete site clearance for the logistics hub for the 144-hectare Đồng Đăng - Lạng Sơn Economic Zone Project, said vice chairman of the provincial People Committee Hồ Tiến Thiệu in a meeting on Wednesday.

Authorities need to finish the relocation of an international internet cable line, electrical networks and burial grounds to clear the site so construction can begin, he said. The project has progressed slowly, largely because of a lack of funding to clear the site, according to local officials.

Thiệu urged the project’s investor, Transport Lạng Sơn JSC, to work with the commune’s local government to complete the remaining paperwork on reassigning land purposes. The provincial department of natural resources and environment was also told to provide support and guidance.

Investors were advised to consult with local authorities to make sure the project’s construction phase goes smoothly.

The provincial government insisted the project’s investors must complete and submit a detailed roadmap for the construction phase before June 15.

The 3.3 trillion (US$140 million) Đồng Đăng - Lạng Sơn Economic Zone Project was approved by the provincial People Committee in March 2017. The transport hub, once completed, will provide facilities to store and preserve goods in accordance with international hygiene and logistics standards and be key to import/export activities.

Progress, however, has been sluggish with investors saying they experienced technical problems and had to reevaluate the project. Once earmarked for completion in the third quarter of this year, the project only began this April.  

Lê Thành Trung, director-general of Transport Lạng Sơn JSC, said his company faced difficulties in securing loans from banks due to unfinished land rights applications. There is also a matter of the Hữu Nghị - Chi Lăng Highway, which overlaps parts of the project, that must be ironed out.

Local officials claimed an area of 27 hectares has been cleared while asking the investor to come up with the required funding to clear the rest of the land allotted to the project. — VNS