Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính inspects HCM City's belt road No. 4 running through Bình Dương Province. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

BÌNH DƯƠNG — The southern province of Bình Dương must achieve rapid, harmonious, inclusive and sustainable development, thus ensuring social security and leaving no one behind, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has said.

The Government leader made the request at a working session with key leaders of Bình Dương in the province on Saturday.

In the near future, he asked the province to remove difficulties faced by firms, deal with the shortage of medicines, biological products and medical equipment, speed up vaccination against COVID-19, and complete the planning work by June 2023 with strategic visions and new mindset.

The province was urged to enhance production and trade; diversify markets and supply chains for firms; attract more foreign direct investment for mutual benefits; pay attention to workforce training and development of culture, sports; and ensure social welfare and environmental protection.

The disbursement of public investment capital must be hastened between now and January 30, 2023, he said, adding that periodic supervision and discipline in the regard must be strengthened.

Basically agreeing with the provincial authorities’ proposals, he asked ministries to work closely with the province to unlock potential for stronger development.

The leader believed that with stronger efforts and high determination, the provincial Party organisations, administration, people and businesses of Bình Dương will reap more achievements next year and the following years.

Bình Dương’s gross regional domestic product (GRDP) growth is estimated at 8.29 per cent this year. State budget collection hit nearly VNĐ62 trillion (US$2.69 billion), surpassing the estimate by 3 per cent. The total export-import turnover reached nearly $61.5 billion, with a trade surplus of $10 billion.

Key infrastructure projects

Prime Minister Chính on the same day inspected major infrastructure projects in the southern province of Bình Dương before his working session with provincial leaders on the locality's socio-economic development in 2022 and tasks for 2023.

These projects are HCM City-Thủ Dầu Một-Chơn Thành expressway, Bàu Bàng-Thị Vải-Cái Mép railway, and HCM City's belt roads No. 3 and No. 4 running through Bình Dương Province.

The HCM City-Thủ Dầu Một-Chơn Thành expressway has a length of 69 kilometres. The first phase of the project will be carried out in 2023-2025 and cost more than VNĐ12 trillion ($492 million). The capital for the second phase of the project will be about VNĐ13.5 billion. It is implemented under a public-private partnership model and expected to be completed in 2026.

Once finished, the expressway will boost connectivity among provinces and cities that are part of the southern key economic zone.

The Government leader requested Bình Dương Province to coordinate with the Ministry of Transport, relevant ministries, agencies and localities to speed up the progress of the projects because they are all important infrastructure projects connecting Bình Dương with the southeastern region, neighbouring areas, the whole country and with the gateway to the world.

The PM suggested that there be a mechanism to attract resources, especially investment in the form of public-private partnership, to ensure the harmony between the interests of the State, people and businesses.

In order to accelerate the progress of the projects, it is essential for the province to hasten site clearance, prepare resettlement infrastructure, and ensure adequate livelihoods for those who are relocated.

The PM then made a field trip to the construction sites of the second factory of Paihong Vietnam Co. Ltd. at Bàu Bàng Industrial Zone, and Bình Dương General Hospital. — VNS