Prime Minister: Ensuring transparency in the selection of investment methods for high-speed railways.

The Prime Minister requested that the selection of investment methods for high-speed railways must be transparent, and that proposed policies be feasible and ensure the greatest benefit for the State, the people, and businesses.

At the Government Headquarters on the afternoon of December 23, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a meeting of the Government Standing Committee to review and resolve difficulties and obstacles in investment and construction projects for the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway line; the North-South high-speed railway project; and urban railway projects in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

The Prime Minister chaired the Government's Standing Committee meeting on the afternoon of December 23.

PHOTO: NHAT BAC

The Prime Minister assessed that, up to this point, the Government and ministries have accomplished a great deal, such as focusing on perfecting the institutional framework; actively implementing the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway project; beginning construction of projects related to the Lang Son - Hanoi and Mong Cai - Hai Phong railway lines; and starting to implement projects related to the North-South high-speed railway project.

Commending the Ministry of Construction for its active implementation of related tasks and the Ministry of Science and Technology for issuing dozens of standards and regulations for the construction of the North-South railway line, the Prime Minister stated that, in the absence of experience, directly applying foreign standards and regulations to domestic projects is a common practice. The process of localizing standards and regulations is being carried out step by step.

The head of government also noted that selecting the appropriate technology for high-speed rail projects and other railway projects depends on many factors such as economics, politics, diplomacy, national security and defense, technology transfer capabilities, and operation.

At the same time, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Construction are requested to review the regulations and standards based on international experience, and then select the technology for the construction of the North-South high-speed railway project, ensuring the above factors are met. In particular, based on this, they should establish standards, procedures, and methods for selecting investment methods such as public investment, public-private partnerships, and private investment. This will ensure optimal and harmonious benefits among participating entities; avoid vested interests, negative practices, and corruption; and guarantee success.

When standards, procedures, and methods are in place, the selection of investment methods must be transparent, and proposed policies must be feasible, ensuring the greatest benefit for the State, the people, and businesses; and guaranteeing the development of the railway industry.

16,000 billion VND has been allocated for the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway project.

Regarding the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway project, the Prime Minister stated that the Chinese side assessed that Vietnam's implementation was 1.5 to 2 years faster than similar projects that China has collaborated on in other ASEAN countries.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the session.

PHOTO: NHAT BAC

Regarding component project 1, which has already commenced with an investment of over 2,000 billion VND, the Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Construction to focus on implementing it on schedule and ahead of schedule. Specifically, the Ministry should strive to accelerate the implementation of the pre-feasibility study, aiming for completion by March 2026 at the latest; following that, the agreement on rail connection between Vietnam and China must be finalized.

Regarding investment capital for the project, the Prime Minister stated that the Government has currently allocated 16,000 billion VND, and it is possible to allocate and disburse approximately 40,000 - 50,000 billion VND annually. The budget is allocated from savings in public investment expenditures, savings from increased revenue and expenditure savings, and medium-term investment capital.

Regarding human resources, the Prime Minister requested the development of a roadmap to complete the assessment of human resource needs for railway development by the end of 2026. Simultaneously, a roadmap for the localization of the railway industry should be developed, starting with railway projects connecting with China. This includes maximizing the localization of locomotives, carriages, control systems, tracks, and all systems from ground level downwards.

"The development of the railway industry should not only benefit Vietnam, but also contribute to the needs of other countries in the region; and participate in the railway ecosystem of developed countries," the Prime Minister stated.

Regarding the urban railway lines in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the Prime Minister suggested that the two cities, drawing on their existing experience, select technologies with unified, interconnected standards and regulations that can be shared, gradually localizing groups, lines, stages, and types of technology; ensuring a universal, advanced, modern, and long-lasting system; and gradually transferring technology and creating a supply chain for participating businesses.

The Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Finance to urgently carry out the necessary procedures regarding funding and related opinions to expedite the project's implementation; and at the same time, to mobilize maximum resources, including both state capital and socialized capital, to invest in a comprehensive urban railway system connecting with major transportation hubs.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thu-tuong-dam-bao-cong-khai-trong-lua-chon-phuong-thuc-dau-tu-duong-sat-toc-do-cao-185251223203147982.htm