The Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress identified building a modern and synchronous infrastructure system as one of the three strategic breakthroughs for sustainable development. The goal by 2030, with a vision to 2045 on infrastructure development, is to basically form a national infrastructure framework, develop energy infrastructure, information technology, large cities, environmental protection infrastructure, and respond to climate change. How to create infrastructure breakthroughs, realize the set goals, and meet the development requirements of the new stage? VOV reporter interviewed economic expert, Dr. Tran Du Lich, National Assembly Delegate of the 9th, 12th, and 13th terms, about this content.

PV: What is your view on the development of our country's infrastructure system in recent times, especially after nearly 4 years of implementing the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress?

Mr. Tran Du Lich: Since the 11th Congress, three strategic breakthroughs have been made, including a breakthrough in infrastructure development. Talking about infrastructure is relatively broad, but I want to talk about transport infrastructure, and I have to say that there has been rapid and remarkable development. First of all, the national and regional transport system has focused on handling traffic bottlenecks for goods and logistics activities. If we look at the Northern Delta, and recently the Southeast, the Mekong Delta, and the Central Coast, the progress of implementation and the Government's focus on directing the implementation of key transport projects are quite strong and relatively synchronous. The second is the development of electricity infrastructure, especially the 500-wire line to ensure national safety and energy, infrastructure of industrial parks... Recently, there has been a focus on developing infrastructure for digital transformation and digital technology. If we look at it as a whole, it must be said that since the Party Congress Resolution, the strategic breakthrough in infrastructure has been resolved and the results have been very impressive. That is the basis for us to develop the country according to the set goals. Reporter: Conclusion 72 of the Politburo, the 13th Party Central Committee clearly stated: After more than 10 years of implementing the Resolution of the 13th Central Conference, 11th tenure on building a synchronous infrastructure system, the legal system has been focused on perfecting and approaching international practices, especially policies on planning and investment development. What is your perspective on institutionalizing the policy of creating infrastructure breakthroughs? Mr. Tran Du Lich: Perhaps few areas apply specific mechanisms as much as the current focus on infrastructure. Even the North-South Expressway, to be implemented, also applies a rather specific mechanism in the context of the general legal system still having many shortcomings, overlapping conflicts, including the issue of decentralization between the Central and local levels... Key infrastructure development projects all apply quite specific mechanisms. For example, the Southeast region is developing Ring Road 3 and is preparing for Ring Road 4,... all have specific mechanisms for investing in infrastructure issues. I think that through the process of applying specific mechanisms in the development of infrastructure, there is a practical basis for perfecting institutions to mobilize resources for the development of this field.

PV : The achievements are great but there are still many limitations and bottlenecks. What do you think are the main causes of the limitations in infrastructure development in the recent period? Mr. Tran Du Lich: Besides the achievements, there are still many shortcomings, inadequacies and institutional issues in infrastructure development that need to be further improved. For example, in many projects that are prolonged, have increased construction costs, including costs... we see many cases where there is a lack of sand in construction, or the problem of handling technological problems to speed up progress. There are still many shortcomings in the issue of finding materials to replace new materials... Second, regarding the financial mechanism to mobilize resources. It must be said that many policies are still inadequate, such as the TPP forms, we have also calculated many times the capital contribution ratio of the private sector and the state in each project, but currently many points must use special mechanisms to solve them. Third, the previous situation of scattered investment has now decreased, it is relatively more concentrated or the coordination between localities in transport works has improved. However, the mechanism to create a favorable environment and mobilize resources, as well as the dynamism and creativity of localities in infrastructure development or mobilizing other resources needs to be further improved. The last point I think, we have the advantage that although infrastructure development is such a large investment, the budget deficit and public debt are still under control. However, we should recalculate, more carefully, more clearly, more long-term, more sustainable about financial resources in the issue of development and opportunity costs in the issue of investing in infrastructure works to maximize the efficiency of capital invested. Especially now, besides the works, the traffic system is very well connected, the issue of developing rural areas, the fishbone roads connecting regions, areas to create sustainable development in rural areas needs more efforts. Although the Government's great direction such as the issue of balancing the development of coastal roads, economic, social, national security issues, although there have been efforts, I think we need to focus on doing more to create conditions for sustainable development. Such issues are still being raised and continue to be resolved in the coming time, trying to achieve the goal of building a sustainable infrastructure system, creating a foundation for sustainable economic development from now until 2030. Reporter : In your opinion, to really create a breakthrough in infrastructure in the coming period, what steps are needed? Mr. Tran Du Lich: In the coming time, to serve the goal of digital transformation and green transformation, we must focus more on making breakthroughs in digital economic infrastructure with the construction of large data centers and telecommunications systems. The foundation for digital economic development must be done. Second is the issue of clean energy, we set the goal of moving towards Net Zero, so green transformation infrastructure is also very important. In particular, we must synchronously solve the problem of developing economic infrastructure with social infrastructure and cultural infrastructure. Currently, there are many localities that focus well on developing the transportation system, but cultural infrastructure is not yet synchronous, there are no corresponding works to improve cultural life. Therefore, social infrastructure and economic infrastructure must be synchronous. If we want to develop sustainably, we must review the entire system of mechanisms and current regulations, how to create a favorable legal environment so that the State can mobilize social resources in investment issues to catch up with development needs in the new period. PV: From the perspective of a policy consultant, what do you expect from infrastructure breakthroughs, opening up development space to realize the goals? Mr. Tran Du Lich: Infrastructure development is to serve the economy and serve the people. In serving the economy, what breakthrough is needed now? I think a breakthrough infrastructure system is to help Vietnam reduce logistics costs, which are currently the highest in the region, to increase competitiveness for businesses. Reducing logistics costs is the best way to support businesses in competition, connecting the general transport system and logistics centers. The next breakthrough is the infrastructure issue for digital transformation, green transformation infrastructure. In terms of people's lives, for large cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and some other cities, solving the problem of urban traffic and public transport is a problem that must be a breakthrough. The national railway system is also a point that must be a breakthrough. Or rural infrastructure is also a very necessary point. Because we cannot move towards a developed country while leaving the countryside behind. Reviewing such factors to see that this new stage requires a higher quality and synchronization in the problem of sustainable development. Reporter: Thank you!

PV/VOV1

Source: https://vov.vn/chinh-tri/tu-nghi-quyet-cua-dang-dot-pha-chien-luoc-ve-ha-tang-dat-ket-qua-an-tuong-post1134152.vov