Minister of Transport Nguyễn Văn Thể speaks at the conference. — Photo baochinhphu.vn

HÀ NỘI — Minister of Transport Nguyễn Văn Thể has confirmed that around VNĐ86 trillion from the State budget will be invested in developing an expressway system for the Mekong Delta region.

He made the statement while presenting a plan on transport infrastructure development investment for the Mekong Delta region at the Conference on Promulgation of the Mekong Delta Regional Master Plan and Investment Promotion for the 2021-30 Period, which opened on Tuesday in Cần Thơ City. 

The whole region at present has only 90km of expressways, in addition to another 30km under construction. 

During this term, investment in an additional 400km of expressway in the region will be carried out, including the construction of a main axis connecting HCM City with Mekong Delta's Cần Thơ City and connecting Cần Thơ City with southernmost Cà Mau Province, according to the minister.  

Another important highway will connect An Thủ in Cao Lãnh District in Đồng Tháp Province with Rạch Giá City in Kiên Giang Province.

The end of the expressway system will connect with Trần Đề port in Sóc Trăng Province.

Under the plan, ships of up to 10,000 tonnes will be able to arrive in Cần Thơ and some other ports. The Trần Đề deep water port in Sóc Trăng, which is considered the main gateway to the Mekong Delta region, will be capable of accommodating ships of 80,000-100,000 tonnes.

Regarding aviation, apart from Cần Thơ International Airport, the ministry is studying to upgrade three airports, including Phú Quốc, Cà Mau and Rạch Giá. 

"With that expressway system together with the Trần Đề port and Cần Thơ International Airport, we believe that the Mekong Delta region will have favourable conditions for economic development. Domestic and foreign investors can come to the region to develop industrial zones," Minister Thể said.

Investment will also be poured into developing maritime and waterway transport for the region.

The ministry is studying to report to the Government a plan to build a railway connecting HCM City and Cần Thơ City. — VNS