Removing infrastructure bottlenecks in highway construction.

A panoramic view of the discussion session in the assembly hall, June 17. Photo: Quang Vinh.

Facilitating investment partners

Discussing the investment policy for this project, National Assembly Deputy Pham Van Hoa (Dong Thap National Assembly Delegation) stated that, regarding the impact of the project on BOT roads, according to the report, there are already two existing roads operating under the BOT model. Continuing with the BOT method would lead to inconsistencies and negatively affect these two existing BOT roads. Therefore, the Government and the Ministry of Transport need to conduct further research to ensure fairness and convenience for investment partners.

Meanwhile, regarding compensation and resettlement, according to Mr. Hoa, this is a very important project. The number of people needing compensation amounts to 1,299 households, and the area of ​​land to be cleared is also very large. Therefore, the drafting agency and local authorities need to pay attention to research to ensure that compensation and resettlement support are implemented effectively.

According to National Assembly Deputy Dieu Huynh Sang ( Binh Phuoc National Assembly Delegation), this project aims to concretize the socio-economic development strategy that has been oriented towards investment in Resolutions No. 23 and No. 24 of the Politburo. The development of the transportation system will be a prerequisite for creating momentum for infrastructure development, socio-economic development, and improving the lives of the people. The project is a very important transportation axis, connecting the Central Highlands with the Southeast region, the Southwest region, and Ho Chi Minh City. Investing in the expressway project will resolve the bottleneck in transportation infrastructure, create new space, and provide impetus for socio-economic development, ensuring national defense and security in the Southeast and Southwest regions.

According to Ms. Sang, compared to the route outlined in the road network planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, the proposed route for the project has undergone some changes to optimize construction and operation, create new development spaces, and promote socio-economic development for the locality.

National Assembly Deputy Nguyen Truong Giang ( Dak Nong Delegation) also stated that investing in the project will gradually complete the expressway network according to the plan, opening up new development space for localities and strengthening regional linkages in general and intra-regional linkages in particular, creating momentum, spreading influence, facilitating connections with Long Thanh International Airport and Cai Mep - Thi Vai port, serving socio-economic development in the Central Highlands and Southeast regions, and helping to strengthen national defense and security.

Mr. Giang suggested that after the investment plan is approved by the National Assembly, the Government should promptly implement the project to meet the expectations of the people and voters.

Meanwhile, National Assembly Deputy Ta Van Ha (Quang Nam delegation) argued that the Central Highlands holds a particularly important position in the road tourism route connecting Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos with Ho Chi Minh City and the Southeast region. Therefore, the investment project to build the Western North-South Expressway section from Gia Nghia to Chon Thanh will create opportunities to transform the diverse resources and culture of the Central Highlands into attractive tourism products. Mr. Ha suggested that a contingency plan for funding is needed to ensure the project's progress. He also proposed strengthening supervision, especially in the application of direct contracting mechanisms for consulting packages and packages related to compensation, land clearance, and resettlement.

In his explanation, Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang stated that regarding the feasibility of investing in the project under the PPP method, this is a relatively complete project, planned for 6 lanes, with 4 lanes to be constructed. The state will contribute 50% of the capital, and after reaching full capacity, it will be expanded to include an additional 2 lanes on this section. Calculations show that this project will have a relatively good payback period compared to previous projects, making it suitable for investors and highly regarded by banks.

Nurturing talent from ethnic minority communities.

On the same day, the National Assembly gave its opinion on adjusting the investment policy for the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas for the period 2021-2030.

According to National Assembly Deputy Mai Van Hai (Thanh Hoa Provincial Delegation), the socio-economic development program for ethnic minority and mountainous areas, approved by Resolution No. 120 of the 14th National Assembly, is a major policy of the Party and State for ethnic minorities and mountainous regions. However, there are still some shortcomings, difficulties, and obstacles affecting the implementation of the program, so adjustments to some policies are necessary.

Regarding the adjustment of program implementation capital, Mr. Hai suggested that the annual medium-term capital allocation and the allocation of operational capital must be appropriate, avoiding discrepancies between the allocation and disbursement of operational capital and public investment capital, which would significantly affect the allocation of funds for specific projects. In addition, some district health centers and general hospitals have communes inhabited by ethnic minorities and mountainous areas. A review is needed to avoid duplication with the content of programs, such as some district health centers and hospitals in communes inhabited by ethnic minorities and mountainous areas that have already received investment under Resolution 43 of the National Assembly on fiscal and monetary policies supporting the socio-economic recovery and development program.

National Assembly Deputy Truong Xuan Cu (Hanoi Delegation) suggested that the system of ethnic minority boarding schools should be based on provincial specialized schools, with provincial ethnic minority boarding schools serving as the specialized high school system for ethnic minority students. He argued that this would be more reasonable and would prioritize nurturing talented ethnic minority individuals.

National Assembly Deputy Ha Sy Huan (Bac Kan National Assembly Delegation) proposed that communes that have achieved the new rural development status should continue to receive the same policies as communes in areas 2 and 3 until the end of the period. Secondary school students currently living in particularly difficult areas, particularly difficult communes, and particularly difficult villages attending schools in area 1 should also receive the same meal allowance, housing support, and rice support as primary and secondary school students living in particularly difficult villages and communes. This is a more appropriate policy for ethnic minority communities, especially in communes with children who have completed the new rural development program.

COMMUNIQUE NO. 20 OF THE 7TH SESSION OF THE 15TH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

On Monday, June 17, 2024, the National Assembly began its first working day of the second phase, which was also the 18th working day of the 7th Session of the 15th National Assembly. In the morning, the National Assembly held a closed-door meeting to consider and vote on adjustments to the agenda of the 7th Session of the 15th National Assembly; discussed in the plenary session the investment policy for the construction project of the North-South Expressway (Western section) from Gia Nghia (Dak Nong) to Chon Thanh (Binh Phuoc); and adjusted the investment policy for the National Target Program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas for the period 2021-2030.

In the afternoon, the National Assembly held a plenary session in the Assembly Hall, listening to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Le Thanh Long present the draft Law on Notarization (amended); the Chairman of the National Assembly's Law Committee Hoang Thanh Tung presented the verification report. Minister of Finance Ho Duc Phoc presented the draft Law on Value Added Tax (amended); the Chairman of the National Assembly's Finance and Budget Committee Le Quang Manh presented the verification report.

According to the National Assembly Office

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