Promoting Da Nang logistics from forming a free trade zone

DNO - On the morning of November 14, the Department of Industry and Trade coordinated with the Vietnam Logistics Service Enterprises Association to organize the forum " Da Nang Free Trade Zone - New driving force for the development of the logistics industry in Da Nang city".

Attending from the Central side were Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Truong Thanh Hoai, Deputy Director of the Import-Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) Tran Thanh Hai. From the city side were Standing Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee Nguyen Dinh Vinh, Chairman of the City People's Council Ngo Xuan Thang, Standing Vice Chairman of the City People's Council Tran Phuoc Son, Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee Tran Chi Cuong.

Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee Tran Chi Cuong delivered the opening speech at the forum. Photo: MAI QUE - QUOC CUONG

In his opening speech, Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee Tran Chi Cuong said that logistics is one of the important service sectors in the overall structure of the national economy ; playing a role in supporting, connecting and promoting the socio-economic development of the country as well as each locality, contributing to improving the competitiveness of the economy.

The Government always pays attention to directing the development of logistics services into a service industry that brings high added value; linking logistics services with the development of goods production, import and export and domestic trade, developing transport infrastructure and information technology; developing a healthy logistics services market, creating equal opportunities for enterprises of all economic sectors, encouraging the attraction of domestic and foreign investment capital in accordance with Vietnamese law and international treaties.

Da Nang City, with its geopolitical and economic position and many advantages in terms of high-quality human resources, synchronously developed infrastructure, inter-regional and regional transportation systems, is one of the few localities with both international seaports and international airports and is located on the country's main roads... helping the city to be more favorable in economic development, investment, trade, services and tourism.

Resolution No. 43-NQ/TW dated January 24, 2019 of the Politburo on the construction and development of Da Nang city to 2030, with a vision to 2045, set the goal of Da Nang city becoming one of the major socio-economic centers of the country and Southeast Asia, a center of marine economy, forming a logistics service supply chain in the Central region with Da Nang as the center.

Recently, Resolution No. 136/2024/QH15 dated June 26, 2024 on the organization of urban government and piloting a number of specific mechanisms and policies for the development of Da Nang city; in which, the establishment of a Da Nang free trade zone is proposed to be developed according to the integrated urban business model, including many functional areas (production areas, logistics centers, trade - service areas and other types of functional areas according to the provisions of law) to maximize the development advantages of Da Nang city.

In particular, this special policy applied to Da Nang city is also linked to the future development roadmap of Lien Chieu seaport and Da Nang international airport, creating favorable conditions for Da Nang to become a regional and international freight transit center, contributing to strongly attracting domestic and foreign investment capital flows (FDI) into the city and the dynamic region of the Central region.

With strong direction from leaders at all levels, departments, branches and sectors are urgently coordinating to complete and submit to the Prime Minister by the end of 2024 to officially establish the Da Nang Free Trade Zone to effectively utilize the policy's pilot period.

In the coming period, logistics services will continue to be identified by Da Nang as an important industry, having a great impact on socio-economic growth. The city is drastically accelerating the investment process of key projects such as Lien Chieu wharf area, logistics center at Da Nang International Airport as well as logistics centers and dry ports.

The city is also making efforts to research, develop and effectively apply policies and regulations on logistics service development; effectively implement administrative procedure control, review and eliminate unnecessary administrative procedures to create conditions for logistics service development.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Truong Thanh Hoai gave a directive speech. Photo: MAI QUE - QUOC CUONG

In his speech, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Truong Thanh Hoai said that along with the strong development of import-export and e-commerce activities, Vietnam is considered a market with great potential for developing logistics services. This is an important service sector that contributes to promoting the socio-economic development of the whole country as well as each locality, enhancing the competitiveness of the economy.

In 2023, Vietnam's logistics performance index (LPI) will reach 3.3 points, ranking 43rd out of 154 countries and territories, ranking 5th among ASEAN countries, with an average annual service revenue growth rate of 14-16%/year, making an important contribution to promoting the growth of Vietnam's import-export turnover.

Recognizing the importance of the logistics industry, in recent times, the Party and State have issued many mechanisms, policies and directed the effective implementation of solutions to remove difficulties, reduce costs, improve competitiveness, and create a favorable environment for the logistics service industry to develop.

In addition, logistics service enterprises are also making efforts to transform their operating methods, increase investment in equipment, focus on training and developing human resources, actively transforming digitally and greenly to adapt to new development conditions, and meet the increasingly high demands and standards of customers.

Despite achieving remarkable results, the logistics industry still shows limitations such as: development not commensurate with potential, high costs, limited competitiveness, loose linkage with export industries, lack of high-quality human resources...

On the other hand, Vietnam is actively researching free trade zone models in the world. Da Nang - one of the dynamic and modern cities in Vietnam, has become an attractive destination for domestic and international investors and businesses.

Recently, the National Assembly issued Resolution No. 136/2024/QH15, in which the establishment of the Da Nang Free Trade Zone is the basis for piloting new policies, as a premise for legalizing regulations on free trade zones for the whole country.

The development of free trade zones will be a favorable opportunity for the Vietnamese logistics service industry in general and Da Nang in particular to develop and participate more deeply in the global logistics supply chain.

Today’s forum is an opportunity for Da Nang city to welcome and receive sharing and suggestions from ministries, branches; domestic and foreign experts, investors and leading enterprises in the field of logistics.

The forum also creates opportunities for exchange, connection and cooperation between businesses, investors, organizations and state management agencies. Delegates will discuss new trends and important challenges that businesses will face in the coming time.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade highly appreciates and acknowledges the participation, response and active participation of agencies, units and enterprises, contributing to the success of this forum.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade will always support and accompany ministries, branches, Da Nang City People's Committee, and Department of Industry and Trade in the process of building and implementing the Project to establish Da Nang Free Trade Zone as well as tasks to promote the development of the logistics industry.

City leaders attend the forum. Photo: MAI QUE - QUOC CUONG

The forum “Da Nang Free Trade Zone - New driving force for the development of logistics industry in Da Nang city” was attended by more than 350 delegates. This is a large, international event on free trade zones and logistics sector held for the first time in Da Nang city.

The Forum is one of the activities to concretize the implementation of Resolution No. 136/2024/QH15 and the Project on Developing Logistics Services in Da Nang City to effectively connect with the Central Key Economic Zone and the East-West Economic Corridor for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050.

Through this forum, ministries, sectors, localities, organizations, associations, experts, investors, and businesses will exchange and contribute ideas to the city to promote the development of the logistics industry in Da Nang in particular, the key economic region of the Central region and the whole country in general.

MAI QUE - QUOC CUONG

Source: http://baodanang.vn/kinhte/202411/thuc-day-logistics-da-nang-tu-hinh-thanh-khu-thuong-mai-tu-do-3993982/