PM requires 5 Central Highlands expressways to complete by 2030

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has requested the Central Highlands to complete five key expressway projects by 2030 to bolster national transportation connectivity.

Chairing a Sunday conference on the strategic Central Highlands' socio-economic development until 2030, with vision until 2045, he mentioned the five significant express projects namely Quy Nhon-Pleiku, Khanh Hoa-Buon Ma Thuot, Tan Phu-Bao Loc, Bao Loc-Lien Khuong, and Gia Nghia-Nhon Trach.

The projects will help the Central Highlands better connect with other key economic regions, especially those in south-central Vietnam. A total investment of VND156 trillion ($6.29 billion) is estimated for the five planned expressways, and construction would commence under two phases, until 2025 then 2030, according to the Ministry of Transport.

Addressing the conference in Lam Dong province’s tourist town of Dalat, the PM said the Central Highlands, comprised of the five provinces of Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, and Lam Dong, has yet to fully tap its potential, opportunities and competitive edge.

The conference was held to launch the government’s action plan for carrying out the Politburo’s Resolution No. 23 issued this October on the development orientations for the region until 2030, and toward 2045.

The government required the Central Highlands to restructure its economic pattern, taking agricultural and forestry development as focus, supporting and processing industries as driving force, and tourism as the sector for breakthroughs.

At the event, the PM and representatives from ministries, agencies, and localities witnessed the handover of cooperation agreements on sustainable development in the Central Highlands between the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the region as well as development partners, along with memoranda of understanding and investment licenses worth more than $5 billion and VND25 trillion (over $1 billion).

The investment projects are focused on building industrial parks and urban areas, roads, logistics service facilities, irrigation works; developing hi-tech agriculture and pharmaceutical materials; processing agro-forestry products; and mining.