08/07/2024 17:57

Lien Chieu seaport is located in the Da Nang Free Trade Zone.

(PLVN) - From now until January 1, 2025, there are less than 5 months left. Da Nang must submit to the Prime Minister a project to establish a Free Trade Zone and accompanying policies.

Mr. Tran Chi Cuong, Vice Chairman of Da Nang City People's Committee, recently provided information related to the implementation of Resolution 136, including issues related to the establishment of a Free Trade Zone.

According to Mr. Cuong, there are many Free Trade Zones in the world but our country does not have one. Many localities also want to do it but the Central Government assigned Da Nang to pilot it, showing its trust in Da Nang.

Mr. Tran Chi Cuong, Vice Chairman of Da Nang City People's Committee.

The important thing now is that Da Nang is choosing a location to place the functional subdivisions of the Free Trade Zone. If it is required to be attached to Lien Chieu seaport, it must be seen whether the full potential of the Free Trade Zone has been fully exploited, or whether it is necessary to attach it to an international airport to transport goods by air.

“We must calculate the location to ensure it is a fenced area, but still promote the development of the entire city and spread to the Central provinces,” Mr. Cuong emphasized.

According to Mr. Cuong, when there is a project and any subdivision that has the potential to promote development first, Da Nang will prioritize doing it first.

Mr. Cuong said that many opinions said that the policies stipulated in Resolution 136 of the National Assembly on Free Trade Zones are similar to those of economic zones. Such policies are difficult to compete with those of countries in the region, but it takes time to have stronger policies.

Resolution 136 will take effect on January 1, 2025. From now until that time, Da Nang must submit to the Prime Minister a project to establish a Free Trade Zone, accompanying policies, clearly showing the locations of functional subdivisions for approval.

The People's Council of Da Nang City had to pass nearly 30 resolutions related to the procedures for implementing Resolution 136 with a huge amount of work but only piloted for five years.

“Five years later, the shape of the Free Trade Zone has not been established, and specific policies have not been determined, so we have to abandon it because there is nothing to evaluate how to continue,” said Mr. Cuong.

Therefore, by 2027, Da Nang must form at least 1-2 functional sub-zones in the Free Trade Zone. Thereby, there is a basis for reviewing Resolution 136 and continuing to propose new policies to compete with countries in the region.

According to Ms. Le Thi Kim Phuong, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Da Nang, the Free Trade Zone is a complex of functional areas including a trade - service area, a logistics area, a production area and other functional areas.

Currently, the Department of Industry and Trade is taking the lead in proposing a number of suitable locations to form these functional areas. Only when the Prime Minister issues an approval decision will these locations be determined exactly.

Da Nang is expected to need a scale of 1,000ha to 1,500ha of total area of ​​subdivisions, with large and small locations depending on requirements, scattered in many areas.

Ms. Phuong said that there are some interested investors who have contacted her to ask for information about the Da Nang Free Trade Zone policy. However, up to now, no investors have officially registered for investment.

The process of selecting investors is carried out according to Resolution 136, which means that the selection of investors is considered the selection of strategic investors. If an investor submits a dossier that meets the conditions and criteria, it will be selected. If there are two or more investors, the bidding regulations will apply.