Resolutely remove obstacles, promote water transport to reduce logistics costs

On July 19, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh signed and issued Official Dispatch No. 113/CD-TTg on implementing solutions to effectively develop waterway transport to promote logistics development in the transport sector. The dispatch emphasized the need to overcome shortcomings, effectively exploit potential, reduce logistics costs and promote socio-economic development.

Telegram No. 113/CD-TTg of the Prime Minister stated that Vietnam has great potential for water transport with more than 3,260 km of coastline and about 42,000 km of exploitable rivers. This is a low-cost, environmentally friendly mode of transport, capable of carrying large volumes of goods.

However, according to the Government 's assessment, this field has not received adequate investment attention, leading to inadequate infrastructure, limited fleet capacity and human resource quality.

Illustration photo. (Source: Internet)

To create new momentum, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has requested ministries, sectors and localities to focus on implementing many key tasks. Specifically, the Minister of Construction is assigned to preside over reviewing and amending legal regulations related to maritime and waterways to attract socialized investment, to be completed by September 2025.

The ministry is also responsible for updating infrastructure planning, prioritizing upgrading main routes and building a list to call for investment in ports on key river routes such as the Red River, Saigon River, and Cai Mep - Thi Vai.

Regarding resources, the Minister of Finance is required to balance medium-term public investment capital for 2026 - 2030 for key projects, while studying preferential tax and fee policies and loan support mechanisms for businesses.

The Prime Minister also directed the Minister of National Defense to assign Saigon Newport Corporation and Vietnam National Shipping Lines to study investment in a number of important inland waterway ports and seaports.

To facilitate this, the Minister of Agriculture and Environment is tasked with simplifying procedures for land and sea area allocation and shortening the time for environmental impact assessment. Meanwhile, the Minister of Industry and Trade develops policies to encourage businesses to use water transport, while the Minister of Public Security directs forces to ensure security and order.

For localities, the Chairmen of the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must review and allocate land funds, integrate logistics center planning with water transport and proactively propose priority infrastructure projects.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha is assigned to directly direct the implementation. The Government Office will coordinate with the Ministry of Construction to urge and periodically report results to the Prime Minister.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/quyet-liet-go-vuong-thuc-day-van-tai-thuy-giam-chi-phi-logistics-214941.html