Having a common infrastructure investment fund for the whole region with an open mechanism will promote the development and linkage of localities in the Southeast region, especially for infrastructure and transportation issues. communication – the factor that is holding back the development and exploiting the full potential of the region.
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| Bach Dang 2 Bridge is being jointly invested by Dong Nai and Binh Duong to enhance traffic connectivity. Photo: P. Tung |
* Promoting the process of development and linking localities in the region
The Southeast is an important economic region of the South as well as the whole country, contributing 39% of the country's GDP and 42% of foreign investment. However, for many years, the development speed of the region has been assessed as not commensurate with its potential and inherent position.
According to the report of the Institute for Research and Development of Ho Chi Minh City, many studies have shown that the current management framework and mechanisms have not fully exploited the economic potential of the Southeast region, and the region's economic growth is lower than the average. overall increase in the country.
Many problems leading to this situation have been identified such as: lack of linkage in planning and development orientation of localities; lack of linkages in local management and administration, and at the same time no effective mechanism for regional governance; There has not been a strong investment as well as a management mechanism for key infrastructure projects linking the Southeast region… Especially, despite being the most dynamic and developing economic region in the country, the transport infrastructure system is connected. connectivity in the Southeast region is very weak.
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The Ministry of Transport and Communications is implementing a number of solutions to attract resources to build the Southeast region's transport network. Specifically, submitting to the Prime Minister for approval 5 national master plans in the field of transportation; prioritizing resources to focus on investing in modern and synchronous transport infrastructure. It is expected that the total capital demand for investment in regional transport infrastructure is about 738,5 trillion VND, of which, in the 2021-2025 period, about 342 trillion VND and the 2026-2030 period, the need is about 396,5 trillion VND. .
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Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Le Anh Tuan said that the transport infrastructure system of Ho Chi Minh City in particular and the Southeast region in general is facing overload and lack of synchronous connectivity. Meanwhile, investment resources for transport infrastructure only achieve about 25-27% of the demand according to the approved plans. This is one of the causes that directly affect and restrain the economic growth in the Southeast region.
At the first meeting of the Southeast Regional Coordinating Council held in mid-July, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung said that the Southeast region is oriented to develop as a region with a modern economic structure. , has a high economic growth rate, the largest growth engine in the country; science - technology and innovation center, high-tech industry, logistics and international financial center with high competitiveness in the region; participating in the global value chain in a number of specialties and fields with opportunities and advantages. To develop modern industrial - service - urban parks and high-tech industrial parks. To develop services of high quality and added value in the fields of finance, banking and insurance; information technology - telecommunications; science and technology; tourism; logistics…
In order to achieve the common goals for the region in the direction of planning, creating a large and unified space, it is necessary to have solutions to mobilize investment capital including researching and forming a regional infrastructure development fund. From there, mobilize and effectively use resources on the basis of leading public investment, activating non-state resources to maximize the potential and advantages of the region. In particular, priority is given to the central budget from the reserve source, increasing revenue to invest in urgent inter-regional projects.
* Proposing 2 options for setting up an infrastructure development fund
Previously, at the 2nd exchange and cooperation conference between Ho Chi Minh City and the Southeast provinces held in early July, the Ho Chi Minh City Development Research Institute proposed options for setting up a development fund. infrastructure in the Southeast region.
Accordingly, through the research process, there are 2 proposed options that can be applied to establish the fund, including: a fund established by the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and raising capital from the state budget (priority is to mobilize state budget capital). of the localities and the central government); The Prime Minister establishes a fund, which is attached to or attached to the Coordinating Council of the Southeast region.
According to analysis, with the first option, there is currently not enough legal basis for the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City to establish a regional transport infrastructure development fund. The regulatory framework does not allow localities to mobilize, allocate and share resources to carry out activities of a regional nature. In case there is a high-level document that allows piloting, there are still a series of issues related to the organization and operation of the fund as stipulated in the laws and related documents. The Vietnamese institutional system is designed with management thinking in terms of administrative boundaries (localities) with the vision of each sector, very limited in regional designs, so there will be a series of issues of competence. rights, investment process... Ho Chi Minh City in the role of the owner of the fund must provide a basis for proposing adjustment and handling.
Meanwhile, option 2 will be appropriate in the context that there is expected to be a resolution of the National Assembly on mechanisms and policies for the Southeast region. This option is suitable when there is a need for a convergence point for a number of pilot policies that allow localities to use the budget to implement the draft regional and inter-regional transport projects and works. or are suggesting.
Under this option, the fund will be established by the Prime Minister and under or associated with the Southeast Regional Coordinating Council, which will have strong enough authority to mobilize resources. Ensure linkage and coordination between localities and stakeholders. If properly designed, the fund will become an effective basis and tool to promote the role of the Regional Coordinating Council.
At the first meeting of the Southeast Regional Coordinating Council, leaders of the Provincial People's Committee proposed the Prime Minister to consider and submit to the National Assembly for promulgation a Resolution on mechanisms and policies for the Southeast region, including the establishment of the regional transport system development fund established by the Prime Minister and associated with the Southeast Regional Coordinating Council.
According to provincial leaders, having a common infrastructure investment fund for the whole region with an open mechanism will promote the development process and connect localities in the region.
Pham Tung
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