Hanoi Times - PM has approved a Plan for developing Lang Son – Ha Noi – Hai Phong – Quang Ninh economic corridor by 2020 o­n Decision No. 98/2008/QD-TTg.

The plan is basing o­n the desire of both Vietnam and China to develop “Two corridors, o­ne economic belt” and then enlarge a complete line that lead to Europe and ASEAN countries as well. It is clear that developing this Corridor is o­ne part of Vietnam-China commercial economic cooperation framework, with the principle of ensuring independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the two countries as well as based o­n equality, mutual benefit, having no effect o­n the investing environment, cooperation and the relationship between o­ne of the two countries with the third o­ne.

With this new economic corridor, it’s expected to lift 1.2-1.4 times of GDP growth rate higher than the average rate of whole country, as well as increase 20% of the export-import turnover in a year through this Corridor, at about US$ 2 billion in 2010, US$ 4.5-5 billion in 2015 and more than US$ 10 billion in 2020. In addition, the development orientation of the corridor will focus o­n commerce, tourism, industry, commodity and passenger transportation, agriculture and forestry, culture, health, education and science-technology

Accordingly, three pairs of international border gates, four pairs of main o­nes and 13 pairs of border markets will appear o­n Vietnam-China border belonging to the above economic corridor; then Dong Dang-Bang Tuong border economic cooperation quarter, several commercial, tourist centers and Bac Giang transportation depot area will be constructed. By 2015, the cooperation of this economic corridor will be completed.

Hanoi will become the international city - the capital of Vietnam and the big economic center of Nam Ninh-Lang Son-Hanoi-Hai Phong economic corridor line. Hanoi-Huu Nghi Quan 6 lanes highway (Lang Son) will be built with total estimated capital of US$ 1.4 billion. More than VND 19,000 billion will be used for the construction of 6 lanes Hanoi-Hai Phong highway, which is stretching to Lach Huyen port (Hai Phong). The construction will be started in 2008 and completed in 2010.

HH