The government approved the establishment of the southern key economic zone (SKEZ) in 1998, including HCMC, and the provinces of Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Long An and Tien Giang. After nearly 15 years, the SKEZ has obtained significant achievements in all aspects. In particular, Dong Nai has emerged as a bright spot.
The government approved the establishment of the southern key economic zone (SKEZ) in 1998, including HCMC, and the provinces of Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Long An and Tien Giang. After nearly 15 years, the SKEZ has obtained significant achievements in all aspects. In particular, Dong Nai has emerged as a bright spot.
Dong Nai has constructed and developed 31 industrial zones (IZs) with a focus on key industrial sectors, such as agricultural processing, food processing, mechanical-metallurgical industry, mining, building materials production, electronics and telecommunications. In particular, Dong Nai has focused on attracting foreign investment. To date, after more than 26 years luring investment, Dong Nai has attracted total investment capital of more than US$14.5 billion from 36 countries and territories.
The development of key industrial sectors has promoted the development of agriculture and services. Dong Nai Provincial Party Committee and People’s Committee have paid special attention to problems related to mechanization and electrification. In terms of trade and services, Dong Nai’s import-export activities have constantly grown. Annual average export turnover has increased by 17.2 percent with major export commodities, such as coffee, cashew nuts, shoes, clothing and refined wooden products. Dong Nai’s annual average economic growth has reached 12.8 percent.
In addition to the right policies promulgated by the local government, one of most important reasons for the rapid development of the economy is its convenient location and developed transport infrastructure. According to SKEZ’s development plan, the government has paid attention on the expansion of HCMC towards the east due to its transport system, which includes the National Highway 1A, Highway 20 and 51 and the North-South Railway. It can be said that Dong Nai plays an important role in SKEZ and promises to become one of the leading provinces in terms of economy throughout the country.
These advantages in term of location and transportation have created favorable conditions for economic activities in SKEZ. Modern road traffic projects, such as the HCMC-Long Thanh-Dau Day, Bien Hoa-Vung Tau, and Long An-Nhon Trach-Dong Nai-Ba Ria-Vung Tau highways have been synchronous deployed. Dong Nai’s seaports, including Long Binh Tan, Go Dau A and Go Dau B ports covering a total area of 443,000sq.m, can easily connect with the larger ports located at HCMC and Ba Ria-Vung Tau. Dong Nai Port General Director Nguyen Thi Bach Mai said that Dong Nai Port would focus on developing market share and diversifying activities to operate at full capacity.
Dong Nai’s real estate market has also experienced exciting times in recent years. Plans to construct new urban areas, such as Long Khanh, Trang Bom, Nhon Trach and Long Thanh have attracted a number of real estate investors, including large corporations such as the Dat Xanh Group and Kim Oanh Real Estate. Together with the rapid development of the economy, local people’s living standards have been improved.
Dong Nai has also focused on training high quality human resources. The government invested VND250 billion in four training programs to develop a technical workforce, postgraduate, skilled laborers and people in the state apparatus. After completing four training programs in 2015, more than 400,000 local labors will be trained. In addition, Dong Nai Provincial Party Committee and People’s Committee issued a number of preferential policies to attract talented people.
(Source: VEN)
