Quang Nam and its role in the development of the East-West economic corridor.

Attending the conference were Mr. Lechlay Sivilay - Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Secretary and Governor of Sekong Province (Laos), Mr. Le Trung Chinh - Chairman of the People's Committee of Da Nang City, Mr. Sombounn Muangvongsa - Deputy Governor of Champasak Province (Laos), and Ms. Songhak Vohaphai - Deputy Governor of Ubon Ratchathani Province (Thailand).

Sekong is the central hub of the corridor.

Mr. Lechlay Sivilay, Secretary and Governor of Sekong Province (Laos), stated that the Lao government recognizes the importance and necessity of upgrading the development level of the East-West Economic Corridor to become a crucial development axis, linking and integrating, especially in the economic, cultural, and social fields, among the five provinces (three countries). Sekong, in particular, is the central location for integration and connection between Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand.

The distance from Da Nang deep-water port to the Dak-Ta-Ooc - Nam Giang international border gate is 260km, and the distance from Sekong province to the Vang Tau, Xoong-Mek international border gates, ending at the Lemxabang deep-water port (Thailand), is 877km.

Since the inception of the economic corridor linkage idea between 5 provinces (3 countries), Sekong has rapidly expanded the routes within the corridor. This has benefited approximately 5 million people and has the potential to attract investment, trade, tourism , and promote integration.

Currently, Sekong province aims to become a power generation hub in Southern Vietnam, focusing on clean agriculture linked to processing industries. Some notable large-scale projects include mining of ore, coal, bauxite, and iron; hydroelectric projects such as Xekhaman 3, Dacimun, and Huoilamphan; and especially wind power projects.

Speaking at the conference, Quang Nam Provincial Party Secretary Luong Nguyen Minh Triet.

The aforementioned achievements affirm that Sekong is ready in all aspects to facilitate and support the provinces in the spirit of mutual benefit.

"We hope to receive attention and attract investment to Sekong province from other provinces and businesses so that we can help each other develop, create broad integration in all aspects, become a livable area, and improve the lives of the people," said Mr. Lechlay Sivilay.

Quang Nam proactively cooperates

Speaking at the conference, Quang Nam Provincial Party Secretary Luong Nguyen Minh Triet said that Quang Nam currently has friendly cooperative relations with four southern Lao provinces. These include a sister-province relationship and comprehensive cooperation with Sekong province since 1984; and a cooperation agreement on trade, investment, tourism, culture, and education signed with Champasak province in 2007.

In addition, Quang Nam province has signed cooperation agreements on agriculture, trade, investment, tourism, and logistics with Ubon Ratchathani province (Thailand) since 2013.

Thus, cooperative relationships with provinces along the East-West Economic Corridor connecting Northeast Thailand with Southern Laos and the Central Vietnam Key Economic Zone have been proactively implemented by Quang Nam for a long time.

Recently, the Quang Nam Provincial Planning was approved by the Prime Minister, setting the goal that by 2030, Quang Nam will strive to become a moderately developed province in the country, and an important growth pole of the Central and Central Highlands regions.

One of the province's key tasks and breakthroughs is to enhance competitiveness, unleash the potential, and leverage the driving role and competitive advantages of the Nam Giang International Border Gate Economic Zone.

To achieve this goal, Quang Nam province has identified strengthening comprehensive cooperation with the southern provinces of Laos and focusing on cooperation in economics, trade, tourism, services, and logistics with the northeastern region of Thailand as important tasks to concentrate on in the coming period.

“This conference is of great significance to localities in the region, especially to Quang Nam province. It is an opportunity to promote investment, connect trade, tourism, and services between parties; and to contribute significantly to the early formation of the East-West economic corridor connecting with the Central Vietnam key economic region via the Nam Giang International Border Gate. Of particular note is cooperation in the fields of forestry, tourism, transportation, and logistics,” said Comrade Luong Nguyen Minh Triet.

According to Comrade Luong Nguyen Minh Triet, Quang Nam will focus on proposing to the Central Government to invest in expanding and upgrading National Highway 14D, which is 74km long and connects the Nam Giang International Border Gate to the Ho Chi Minh Highway.

At the same time, it is suggested that the provinces along the corridor continue to exchange and discuss proposals to the Central Government to finalize mechanisms and policies, creating the most favorable conditions for customs clearance of goods and entry and exit at border gates, facilitating cooperation and investment by businesses and investors from both sides in production and business.

"Quang Nam is oriented towards rapid and sustainable development, maximizing the province's potential and advantages; developing the economy with a green economic mindset, in harmony with nature, developing a circular economy and a low-carbon economy to minimize waste generation, and keeping pace with the general development trends of the region."

"We are committed to actively and responsibly participating in the contents of this Investment, Trade, Tourism Promotion and Networking Conference between 5 provinces and 3 countries," emphasized Comrade Luong Nguyen Minh Triet.

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