Ninh Thuan plans large coastal economic zone by 2025

The south-central province of Ninh Thuan expects to establish a coastal economic zone (EZ) covering 439 square kilometers in its southern part by 2025.

The planned EZ would straddle nine communes in the two districts of Thuan Nam and Ninh Phuoc, the Ninh Thuan People’s Committee said Monday.

The provincial administration expects the large-scale EZ to lure big investments into areas like port development, logistics, clean and renewable energy, heavy industries, urban development and hi-tech agriculture.

The EZ in Ninh Thuan is expected to strengthen connection among coastal EZs in the central region and those in the south

According to provincial authorities, the EZ proposal is expected to be approved by the government in the fourth quarter of 2025.

The Ninh Thuan People’s Committee has assigned its Department of Industry and Trade to work out a zoning plan for a warehouse of 100,000 cubic meters for petrol; a detailed plan for the construction of a logistics center; and a plan to add a 4.8-million-ton-per-year regasification terminal in Thuan Nam district’s Ca Na area to the National Plan for Petroleum and Gas Storage and Supply.

The provincial administration is also speeding up the renovation of its Ca Na Port so that it can handle 2-2.5 million tons of goods a year, becoming a class-one seaport.

The planning department has also been assigned to complete investment procedures for several development projects, including the 1.5-gigawatt Ca Na LNG-to-power plant phase 1, a cement factory, a plant to make chemicals from salt and a hydrogen power project.

The Department of Industry and Trade, meanwhile, has been tasked with opening the bidding process this November to select investors for the Ca Na LNG-to-power plant phase 1, and to complete the petrol warehouse plan this December.

This department will also help the people’s committee complete plans to add the 75-hectare Phuoc Minh 1 Industrial Cluster and 26-hectare Phuoc Minh 2 Industrial Cluster to Ninh Thuan’s industrial development scheme for approval by the provincial People’s Council.

Khanh Hoa, another province in the south-central region, plans to attract billions of dollars into 27 major projects in Van Phong Economic Zone in the 2023-2024 period.

In June, the National Assembly, the country's highest legislative body, issued a resolution on distinct mechanisms and policies for Khanh Hoa to be implemented on a pilot basis to attract only mega projects.