Decision No. 939/QD-TTg approving the master plan on socio-economic development of the Mekong River delta through 2020

42 THE PRIME MINISTER Decision No. 939/QD~TTg of July 19, 2012, approving the master plan on socio-economic development of the Mekong Riverdelta through 2020 THE PRIME MINISTER Pursuant to the December 25,2001 Law on Organization of the Gave rnment: Pursuant to the Government's Decree No. 9212006/ND-CP oj September 7, 2006, on the elaboration, approval and management of socio-economic development masterplans, and Decree No. 04/2008/ND-CP oj January 11, 2008, amending and supplementing a numher ofarticles ofDecree No. 92/2006/ND-CP; At the proposal of the Ministry ofPlanning and Investment, DECIDES: Article 1. To approve the master plan on socio-economic development of the Mekong River delta through 2020, with the following principal contents: 1. POSITION AND ROLE With its potential and advantages in land and water surface, the Mekong River delta is the country's key area for food, aquatic product and fruit production, greatly contributing to national food security and agricultural and aquatic product export. It has an interlacing river and canal system Issue nos 03-04/.Iuly 2012 (Gong Baoflw4(j7-4(;BI./llfv3J.l0J2) and submerged forests and is a hub where the cultural traits of Viet, Cham and Khmer ethnic groups converge and intermingle. thus provi ding favorable conditions for the development of ceo-tourism and cultural tourism imbued with the region's particular features; and plays an important role for the eco environment of South Vietnam and the Mekong River lower section. It is a geographical area of strategic importance to national defense, security and external relations. II. DEVELOPMENT VIEWPOINTS 1. The master plan on socio-economic development of the Mekong River delta through 2020 must be in line with the national socio economic development strategy, Vietnam's marine strategy and sectoral master plans: and aim to build and develop the Mekong River delta into a driving force for promoting the national development. 2. To bring into the fullest play the potential and advantages of localities in the region, especially advantages in agricultural production, aquaculture and marine economy; to step up economic restructuring and growth model renewal along the line of in-depth development; ro sustainably develop lh<': dt'lta and coastal areas. 3. To develop a synchronous and ceo friendly system of urban centers and residential areas and a system of technical and social infrastructure facilities in close relation with rice fields, orchards, rivers, sea areas and islands" 4. To closely combine economic Issue nos 03-04/.July 2012 (GongBaD /lOS 467468/July 31, 2012) development withdevelopment of social affairs, education-training, health care and culture and realization of social progress and justice so as to step by step improve the quality of people's life; to step up the hunger eradication and poverty alleviation and reduce the social development gap between areas and between ethnic groups in the region. 5. To focus on training and developing human resources, especially high-quality ones, so as to meet market demands, combining human resource development with scientific and techno] ogical development and application. 6. To pursue sustainable development, combining socio-economic development with economical usc of natural resources and protection of the ceo-environment: to adopt solutions to proactively prevent and respond to cl imate change and sea level rise; to closely combine socio-economic development with assurance of national defense and security and maintenance of political stability and social order and safety. TH. DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES I , General objectives: To build and develop the Mekong River delta into a national key legiull fur agricultural commodity production and aquaculture with high economic growth and sustainable development; to strongly develop marine economy and accelerate cultural and social development to reach the national average level; to buiId the region into a hub for proacti ve integration, trade exchange and economic cooperation with regional countries; and to firmly maintain political security, national defense and social order and safety. 2. Specific targets: aJEconomically The economic growth rate will be 7.7% during 20 11-2015 and 8.6% during 2016-2020. Per-capita GPD will reach VND 30.2 million (USD 1,550-1,6(0), and VND 57.9 million (USD 7,750-2,850) by 20 I "i and 2020, respectively. By 2015, the agriculture- forestry-fisheries proportion in the region's GDP will be36.7%, while those of industries-construction and services will be 30.4% and 32.90(,. respectively. By 2020, these figures will be 30.5%, 35.6% and 33.9%, To assure national food security and maintain an annual rice export volume of about 6-7 mil lion tons. Export turnover will annually increase over 12%on an average during 20 ll-20 15and over 11.5% during 2016-2020. The average export turnover per capita will reach USD 630 UIH.I over USD 1,000 by 20 I Sand 2020, respectively: the technology renewal Tate will be around 8-1O%/ycar. b/ Culturally and socially The region's average population growth rate will be aroundO.8% during 20//-2015 and 0.85% during 2016-2020. The region's population will be around 18 million and 18.8 million by 2015 and 2020. respectively, The puur household rate will annually drop by 2 2,Yki on an average. To satisfy the standard of pre-school education universalization for 5-year-old 44 children by 2015. The rates of children in eligibleage groupsattending schoolwill be 99% forprimaryeducation,85% for lowersecondary education. and 60% for upper secondary education. By 2020, these rates will be 95-97% for lower secondary education and 65% for upper secondary education. To strive for the target that by 2020, the region's education. trainingand vocational trainingsectorwillreach development targets higher than the national average in different disciplines and at different educational levels. The malnutrition rate among under-5 children will bereduced to below 16% by 2015 and helo w 12% hy 20)0; the mortality ralt' among under l-year infants will be reduced to 0.85% and 0.75% by 2015 and 2020, respectively. Tocreate 350,000-400,000 jobs every year. By 2020, the urban unemployment rate will be 3.5-5%; thepercentageof working timein rural areas will reach 889WXi; the percentage of trained laborers will be 35-40% by 2015 and 50-55% by 2020. The urbanization rate will be 28% by 2015 and 34.2%by 2020; by 2020, around 50-55% of communesin the region will reach thestandards ofnewcountryside; makeshift or thatched houses will no longer ex ist while people living on rivers and canals will be resettled. c/ Environmentally By 2015, over 90% of urban inhabitants and 85% of rural inhabitants will have access to hygienic water. By 2020, these figures will all be 100%. By 2015 and 2020 respectively, over 85% Issue nos03-04/July2012 (COng Bao nos 467-468/July 51,2(12) and 9YJ-h of urban solirl waste will hl~ collected and treated up to the sanitation standards. To remedy and basically end inundation in urban centers. By2020,over70%of urbanwastewater will becollected and treated. To increase the forest coverage to S.Y}'£, hy 20i5 and over 99C by 2020. To protect marine and coastal ecosystems, national parks and nature reserves; to take the initiative in preventing and controlling storms. floods, natural disasters. climate change and sea level rise so as to mitigate their impacts. dJ Security and defense To complete the system of roads to border areas, border-guard stations, defense areas, residential areas and soc io-ec onornic infrastructure in association with the protection of border areas, islands and areas inhabited by Khmer people. To step up propagandaand education work tomobilize people toproperly abideby theState's law so as to curb traffic accidents; to provide education aboutnewculturedlifestyles and figln against superstition among the populatiun. IV. DEVELOPMENT ORIENTATIONS FOR DIFFERENT SECTORS 1.Agriculture, forestry and fisheries: To develop the Mekong River delta into a key agricultural development region, focusing on large-scale production of high-quality and competitivecommodities, with rice and aquatic products as two lIatiolldl strategic exports. To form large-scale specialized production areas in combination with hi-tech application and new-countryside development; to further Issue nos 03-04/July 2012 (Gong Baonos467468/July 3/,2012) restructure agricultural production along the market orientation. To strive for an annual agricultural growth rate of 5.2% during 2011 201S and 4.9% during 2016-2020. Agriculture: To further make scientific, technical and technological investment in the production of rice as the main crop so as to increase its yield and quality for domestic consumption and export; to promote the devclupmcnt of htrgC::-SI;;alc rice production areas (large model fields), especially in localities with rice production advantages, including An Giang, Kien Giang and Dong Thap provinces. To plan and develop concentrated and intensive areas under fruit trees, focusing on the creation of new plant varieties of high economic value. To attach importance to developing cash crops and seasonal industrial plants, such as maize, cotton, soybean and sugarcane, in order to substitute for imported agricultural materials. To maintain a total rice-growing land area of 1.8-l.8S million ha by 2020. To develop concentrated husbandry in association with processing industry, epidemic prevention and control and food hygiene and safe ty ass ut auce. ~ Fisheries: To develop fisheries into a spearhead industry with large-scale production, high competitiveness and export turnover. To continue developing intensive and concentrated aquaculture while expanding aquaculture on the sea and in islands, freshwater and brackish water areas. To apply models of aquaculture applying new and modern technologies and techniques so as to increase productivity, quality and effectiveness and protect the eco 45 environment. By 2020, the total land area under aquaculture will reach 550,000-600,000 ha. Tu aSSUI e xustai nablc dc vc Ioprncnt of aquatic resources and protection of the eco environment in the exploitation of aquatic resources; to develop offshore fishing models and offshore and onshore logistics services. Forestry; To concentrate on consolidating and perfecting the special-use forest system; to form a protection forest system able to protect coastal and border areas and infrastructure f.1cilities in flooded areas; to further plant production forests and scattered trees in a more effective way, and develop combined agriculture-forestry-fisheries toward sustainable development in association with eco environmental protection. 2. Industries: To boost industrial development asa driving force for regional eCOnOI1l1C development, focusing on tbe industry of processing agricultural, forestry and fishery products for export; power and energy industries, textile gannent and leather-footwear industries; and mechanical engineering. To strive for an average industrial production value growrh rate of 16%/ year during 1011-2015 and 16.Y;;b/year during 2016-2010. To build a large-scale hi-tech processing industry in combination with development of raw material zones; to form processing centers with modern and chained technologies and complete-set equipment for the production of deeply processed products; at the same time, to encourage small- and medium-sized enterprises to make investment and procure equipment to 46 tum out products to meet market demands; to concentrate on developing processing of rice, aquatic products, vegetables, fruits,coconut and meat and the production of animal feeds. To develop textile-garment and leather footwear industries to meet local labor demands; to attach importance to equipment procurement and "kill improvement so as ro directly produce exports and gradually reduce processing; to diversify models and products; to research and expand domestic and overseas markets, ~ To make in-depth investment in existing establishments that produce mechanical engineering products for agriculture; to study the building of a regional mechanical engineering center in Can Tho city to promote and improve the technological level of the regional localities; to attach importance to the development of ship bui lding and repair in Can Tho city and Tra Vinh, Soc Trang and Ca Mau provinces. Industrial parks will be planned and developed in a synchronous manner in association with the retraining of highly skilled human resources and workforce and investment in social infrastructure faciIities, such as houses, schools, medical establishments. and with environmental protection. To minimize the use agricultural land for development of industrial parks and complexes. To strictly comply with regulations on formation of new industrial parks. To attach importance to the development of industrial- cottage industry complexes and craft villages in localities. 3. Service, trade and tourism development Issue nos03·04JJuly2m2 (Gong Bao uos 4u7-4681Jufy 31, 2()J2) Services and trade: To develop trade of various organizational and operational modes so as to meet people's needs. To form big commercial and exchange hubs in Can Tho, Phu Quoc and other big urban centers; to attach importance to trade development in rural, deep-lying, remote, border and island areas so as to serve ethnic minority people; to complete the building of goods distribution networks from urban to rural areas. To invest in building a synchronous trade infrastructure system, including trade-service centers, logistics centers and marketplaces of appropriate size, to attach impOltallcc to tilt: construction of farm produce storage and preservation warehouses, especi all y rice warehouses up to standards; 10 expand trade relations with neighboring localities, especially those in South eastern Vietnam and regional countries; to develop the border economy through boosting border trade exchange. To strive for an annual retail and consumption service turnover growth rate of 15.5% during 2011-2015 andover 14.5% during 2016-2020. To support and encourage enterprises to operate effectively and jointly form a number of specialized trade groups capable of competing and effectively cooperating with foreign distribution groups. To strongly develop financial, bank iug, insurance, audit, accounting, technology transfer and other services so as to meet the demandsof a socialist-oriented marketeconomy: to encourage and support various economic sectorstoprocure vehicles tor roadand waterway Issue nos 03.04/July 2012 (Gong BaD nos467-468/Ju/y 31,2012) transportation and invest in mass transit. ~ Tourism: To develop tourism into an important industry based on the region's competitiveedges in geographical position and llUlU1U1 resources, including the submerged forest eco-system, the canal network and ethnic minority groups' cultural festivals, so as to create unique ecological and cultural tourism products associated with the countryside and river and canal areas. To create a close link among the regional localities and neighboring areas, especially Ho Chi Minh City, to develop inter provincial and international tourist routes. To form anddevelop4 major tourist clusters, including Can Tho city and its vicinity, My Tho and its vicinity, Bay Nui-Rach Gia and its vicinity; and Nam Can and its vicinity. 4. Cultural and social development: Education and training To develop education and training in the direction of standardizing and improving the qual ity of teachers and educational administrators, build a learning society, create conditions for every perso u to lc ai n aud unceasingly raise educational quality; to further renew teaching methods and teaching organization forms; to mobilize more children to go to school, especially in economically difficult and ethnic minority areas; to reduce the school dropout rates at all educational grades. To further properly implement the program on solidification of schools and classrooms within the preschool and general education system. 47 To attach importance to job training at the collegial and professional secondary levels in order to form a technical workforce up to national standards to meet thc demand for labor for industria! parks, economic zones, spearhead industries and for export: to intensify short-term job training for rural laborers, ethnic minority people and laborers whose land is converted for other use purposes: to develop mobile job training alln f'rC'alt> favoruhk- conditjons fnr disadvantagedpeople to receivejob training and self-employ. To further invest in upgrading the Can Tho University with physical foundations and lecturing staff attaining the level of advanced regional countries; to invest in the Nha Trang university's branch in Kien Giang; to expand tertiary and postgraduate education and develop a number of colleges and universities in the region in order to gradually restructure and improve the qualifications of the workforce. Public health care: To properly perform family planning and reproductive health care. To keep the natural population growth rate at 1.27(fo during 2011 ?01 ') and 10k! during )016-2020 To build and modernize the regional health svstern to achieve the objectives offaimess and effectiveness and develop at the national average rate in order to meet the people's needs tor protection, health care and living standard improvement. To consolidate and improve the grassroots health network so that by 2015 all commune or ward health stations will reach national standards. To complete the building of a specialized health center in Can Tho city. To build regional general hospitals in TienGiang and Kien Giang provinces, and upgradeprovincial-levelgeneral hospitals to grade-I standards with JUO-80U patient beds each; to further consolidate obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry, tuberculosis and traditional medicine hospitals in the regional provinces. Culture. physical training and sports: Toconserve and promote traditionalcultural values deeply imbued with the national identities to serve cultural exchange among ethnic communities in the region; to build and develop newcultural values, forming a civilized lifestyleand newcultured families in the region; to step up the buildingof a synchronous system of cultural and information institutionsfrom the provincial to grassroots level. To continue stepping up the movement "All the people do physical exercise following the example of Uncle Ho". To implement the program on development of physical training and sports in communes, wards and townships, especially in deep-lying, remote and ethnic minority areas, areas along the southwestern border and coastal areas. Tocontinue investing in national-standard infrastructure facilities for sports training and competition; for the immediate future, to build a regiollal physical training and sports center in Can Tho city. Poverty alleviation, employment and assurance of social security benefits: To synchronously, comprehensively and effectively implement poverty alleviation programsand projects; to createopportunities for the poor to benefit from policies on supports in ,... .' Issue nos03.04J.luly 2012 (Gong Bso nos 4674fl8/Jc<[y 31, 2012) land,credit.job training,employment, industrial ex tension. agr: eu j tu ral- forestry- fi shery extension and product sale; to build poverty alleviation models and concentrate supports on creating conditions for poor households to develop production and increase incomes To develop social security and protect and care for children; to mobilize all people to participate in "gratitude" activities and care for people with meritorious contributions to the nation; to pay attention to training, job training and employment of children of policy beneficiary families; to intensify charity and humanitarianactivities to help thepoor integrate into the community. To exercise the rights of children to be cared for and protected; to create a healthy and safe environment for their comprehensive development: (0 prevent and ward off violence against children. s., Infrastructure development: Tosynchronously develop theeconomic and social infrastructuresystem to serve as a driving force for the region's socio-economic development To closely combine investment in transport infrastructure with irrigation, flood control and development of the network of urban centers, rural residential areas and population clusters and lines in flooded areas. Transport development: Roads: To form 5 corridor road systems linking the Mekong River delta With South Eastern Vietnam and the whole country. including the coastal roads (national highways 50 and 60), national highway IA. Ho Chi Minh City-Can Tho city expressway. N2 and N 1 roads; to complete the upgrading of the Issue nos 03·04lJulY-Wn (Cong 8ilO J10S 467468/July 31,2012) transversal axial roads to grade-Ill standards with 2 motor lanes; particularly, Nl road will reach grade-TV standards with 2 motor lanes; [Q complete the building of the big bridges of Yam Cong, CaD Lanh, Co Chien and Nam Can and step by step upgrade weak bridges on national highways, To upgrade and build provincial and district roads as planned. To strive for the target that by 2020 there will be motor roads to all commune centers; 100% of district roads and at least 70% of commune roads will be asphalted or concreted; to e lirninatc an foot bridges; to further invest in a numberof important and urgentworks to serve the socio-economic development of theregional localities. • InlCI nal waterways. To build the waterway transport routes of Ca Mau-Nam Can, Kien Luong-Ha Tien. Bac Lieu-Ca Mau and cargo loading-unloading ports. To complete the project to upgrade Cho Gao canal route and the project to develop the transport infrastructure in the Mekong River delta, which are funded with \VBS capital source. To further upgrade the existing waterway transport routes to technical standards. To promote multi-modal transportation, focusing on fully tapping waterway transport advantages. Seaways: To complete the investment project on port entrance fairways on Hau river through Quan Chanh Bo canal; to study the upgrading of Cua Lon river fairways. To invest in building seaports capable of receiving ships of30,000-50,OOO DWT. To further upgrade the system of ports and fairways in a synchronous manner to meet the region's transport needs. 49 Airways: Tu complete soon and commission the new Phu Quoc international airport (phase 1) which can accommodate B777 and B747 airplanes. To upgrade and expand the Ca Mau airport. To further invest in upgrading and raising the capacity and service quality of these airports to receive growing passenger arrivals. Railways. To study investment in a 1,435 mm railway from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho city at an appropriate time Electricity supply: To develop gas-fired thermal power plants which use gas exploited from CUll Long, Southern Can Son and Malay-Tho Chu deposit basins. Tobuild coa1-fi red thermal power pIants in Duyen Hai-Tra Vinh, Long Phu-Soc Trang. Hau ri ver-Hau Giang and Kicn Luong power centers and Long An power plant. To build Phu Quoc thermal power plant and an undersea power line to Phu Quoc island. To invest in a synchronous power distribution system to meet increasing power consumption needs of urban and rural inhabitants. Infor mation and communications: To build modern telecommunications infrastructure facili ties of large throughput and high reliability and capable of integrating services on a transmission network. To build Can Tho city into a major postal and telecommunications service center of the region and tht: whole COUll try. To build industrial parks for information technology (IT parks) and IT enterprise nurseries in Can Tho city and major urban centers in the region. Water supply and drainage and environmental sanitation: 50 Water ~lIrrly' To step by step upgrade existing and synchronously build new water supply systems to meet production and daily life needs of urbancenters. For rural andcoastal areas and islands, to study water supply models and scales suitable to thecharacteristics of each sub-region (flooded areas, coastal areas and islands). To build a network of observation of surface water and groundwater quality in the whole region for contamination and salinity inspection and checking of water sources. Water drainage and environmental sanitation: To step by step invest in upgrading existing and building new wastewater and rain water drainage systems in urban centers, to assure that wastewater from households, industrialparks. hospitalsandcraft villageswill be treated up to set standards before being dischargedintothe centralizeddrainagesystem. To collect and treat garbage in a concentrated manner; (0 apply advanced technologies to treating garbage for recycling, and limit the use of landfills so as to conserve land and assure environmental sanitation. Irrigation development: To complete the multi-purpose irrigation and dike system to serve agricultural production, forestry, fisheries and ruraldevelopment, address socio-economic issues, protect theenvironment and assure sustainable development. Tocontinue improving flood mitigation and water sa linity control works and irrigation canals; to build water supply works for aquaculture in coastal areas and combined rice farming and aquaculture models in freshwater ecological zones. Tostudy and build large-scale Issuenos03-04/.Iuly 2012 (Gong Baa //0.1 4M-4fJ,1IJrdv 3L 2U12) irrigation works in river estuaries. ensuring sufficient fresh water for production. water salinity control and environmental protection. To consolidate and upgrade the existing dikes. build new dikes, plant and protect land protection forests along the dikes in coastal localities for socio-economic development. 6. Scientific and technological development: To strongly and diversely develop the scientific and technological potential of the region, and build Can Tho city into a regional scientific and technologicalcenter.To establish the Scientific and Technological Institute, Biological Technology Institute, Fishery Research Institute and Techniques and Technological Application Center in the Mekong River delta. To develop the system of centers for application of scientific and technological advancesinall provinces andcities in the region in order to intensifyscientific and technological research and transfer.To prioritize and support the application of GAP standards (good agricultural/fishery practices) to agricultural production, forestry and fisheries; to prioritize and support the application of technical advances to mechanizing harvesting activities and reducing harvest and post-harvest losses; to ~uppun enterprises in processing agricukural and aquatic products. 7. Response to climatechange and dSSUlLIllCt: of sustainable development: To assure sustainab!c soc io-ccono rnic development to limit the adverse impacts of climate change. To plan and build a system of works to combat flood and salinization, taking ]!iOSll(' "OS O~-04/.JlIly2012 (GongBeonos 467468/July 31,2012) into account the impacts of climate change and sea level rise. To apply new technologies to the treatment of wastewater and garbage in industrial parks; to modernize the daily-life wastewater and rainwater drainage systems in urbancenters and transferenvironment-friendly technologies for production. To survey, warn and devise measures to prevent and control natural disasters (embanking river banks, relocating people, planting trees to protect river banks, etc.) in areas highly vulnerable to landslide along rivers and canals. Toincorporate the tasks of response to climate change and sustainable development in all acrivities involved in the development strategies of the sectors and localities in the region, especially in economic development of the coastal localities. To protect the ecosystem of coastal protection forests, essential infrastructure facilities and population clusters in flood-hit arcus and the southwestern border corridor, To protect national parks and nature reserves; to conserve standard models of the wetland ecosystem, bio-divcrsity and gene sources. 8. Combination of soc io-e co n orn ic development with defense and security: Toplan and build defense economic zones and closely associate the two strategic tasks of socio-economic development and defense and security consolidation, enhancing the defense potential through building the all-the-people defense and people's security disposition and assuring the readiness of all forces to frustrate all plots and tricks of hostile forces. To accelerate the upgrading and expansion 51 of roads along the border; to build border patrol roads so as to combine economic development with security and defense consolidalion To build works in fishing ports, especially those in islands, creating a synchronous system of infrastructureand logisticsservices from coastal areas to outermost islands to serve offshore Iishi fIg, stw rn slit; lteri ug and security and defense maintenance. V. ORIENTATIONS FOR ORGANIZATION OF DEVELOPMENT SPACES 1. Development of urban spaces: The system of urban centers: To develop the urban network in combination with the development of industrial parks and trade and service centers: to create a network close Iy linked with the South eastern Vietnam,East Sea and West Sea and border areas through a convenient transport system. The central urban area: This area embraces Can Tho city and thesatellite cities ofCao Lanh, Long Xuyen and Vinh Long and Sa Dec town. To build CanTho city into a regional industrial, service, commercial, scientific, technological. health, education, training, cultural und sport center,and Long Xuyen city into a central urban center of the Long Xuyen quadrangle. The northeastern urban area: Todevelop My Tho city into a key urban center linked with the urban centers of Go Cong, Tan An. Tra Vinh, Ben Tre and Tan Thach. This area links the Mekong Rive: della with Ho Chi Minh City. The southwestern urban area: To develop Cam Mau city into a key urban center linked with the urban centers of Rach Gia, Ha Tien, 52 Bac Lieu, Soc Trang and Vi Thanh. To step by step build and develop Phu Quae island into a high-quality ceo-tourismcenter andmajortrade exchange hub of the delta, the whole country and the region. Development of rural residential areas: To complete the program on population clusters and lines and houses in frequently floodedareas andprovidesupportsfor abolition of thatched and makeshift houses in the region Tobuild rural residential areas under themaster plan and in conformity with the cultural traditions and production conditions of local people. At the same time, to concentrate investment on building essential infrastructure in order to stabilize the people's life. 2. Development of economic zones The key economic zone (embracing Can Tho city and An Giang, Kien GiangandCaMau provinces) will be a major center for rice production, aquaculture, fishing and aquatic product processing, greatly contributing to the country's export of agricultural and aquatic products. To prtoriuze developing such importantservices as transferof bio-technology, supply of plant seeds and animal breeds and technical services, processing and export of agricultural products for the whole region. To develop power centers in Can Tho (0 Mon), Ca Mau (the gas - power generation nitrogenous fertilizer complex), Kien Giang (Kien Luong) and supply fuel gas from the southwestern gas fields, playing the role a" the major energy center of the region. To develop trade and service centers in Can Tho, Long Xuyen, Rach Gia and Ca Mau: and Issuenos 03.04/,July 2012 (Cong Bao nos4674681Ju!y 31, 2(12) tourist sites in Phu Quoc island and Bay Nui area;todeveloptheborder-gate economic zones inAn Giangand HaTien; to invest ineducation, training, health,scienceand technology in these provinces, ensuring that they play the role as the socio-economicdevelopmentdriving force of the whole region. The zone in the north of Ticn river (embracing theeasternpartof LongAnandTien Giangprovinces intheHoChi MinhCitv region): To concentrate on developing planned industrial parks; to prioritize labor-intensive industries, support industries, and agricultural, forest and aquatic product processing industry; to promote goods exchange services, build a systemof wholesale markets for fruits and rice. provide high-quality health and training services (in My Tho and TanAn): to step by step form a tourist site on Thoi Son islet; and to develop concentratedfruit tree zones in Tien Giang. Dong Thap Muoi zone (embracing the western districts of Long An and Tien Giang provinces and Dong Thap province): Todevelop agricultural production, especially innon-flood seasons, studyandrestructure crops and production to improve their yields. To develop cross-border tradeandborder-gate zones in LongAn and Dong Thap provinces. To develop eco-tourism combined with cultural and historical tourism in such tourist sitesasTramChimand GoThap; Laconcentrate on building and upgrading arterial transport routes linking Dong Thap Muoi with the southern key economic region; to complete the building of flood-resistant residential clusters and lines forstabilizing thepeople's life;todevelopsmall IssuenosOl-D4I.luh 2012 (Gong Beo 110S4674681July 31,2012) and medium-sized industrial estahlislnnents suitable to the regional conditions. The zone on the Eas t Scu ' s coas t (embracing the coastal districts of Tien Giang province and the coastal provinces from Ben Tre to Bac Lieu): To concentrate on developing saltwater and brackish water aquaculture in coastal areas: to combine the rearing of shrimps and fishes with gardening ami rearing of crustaceans i II tidal shores. To develop the production of specialty rice varieties of high quality and build concentrated fruit tree zones in freshwater ecological zones. To develop agricultural and aquatic product processing and cottage industries; and to form some major aquatic product processing centers. To attach importance to developing the infrastructure network in the coast (coastal mads and water supply systems), renovate the channels and fairways in Tien and Hau rivers; to develop Dinh An economic zone (Tra Vmh) together with port services and shipbuilding. To study investment in synchronous infrastructure and necessary conditions for forming Ganh Hao marine economic zone when having sufficient conditions. VI. LIST Of' PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS PRJORITIZEDFOR INVESTMENT STUDY (See the attached Appendix) VII. MASTERPLAN IMPLEMENTATION SOLUTIONS 1.For the sectors prioritized for development 53 Perfecting the system of mechanisms and policies favorable for the regional economic development; creating an environment for equal and transparent competition among enterprises; reforming administrative procedures. Synchronously developing the infrastructure system, especially the transport network to link theregional lccalirieswith neig,lioo, iug localities; the irrigation system to serve rice production and aquaculture and large-scale fruit tree zones; and works for preventing and mitigating the impacts of the global climate change. Concentrating on improving the quality of education, training and job training, quickly developing high-level human resources to meet the society's needs. To step up the application of high technologies to agricultural production to increase the yield and quality of products and production value per hectare of cultivated land. 2. Investment capital solutions Effectively mobilizing all resources, especially internal strengths, for investment in socio-economic development. Striving to increase Slate budget revenues, intensifying the combat against revenue loss and strictly handling [ax evasions and trade frauds; ensuring correct. adequate and prompt collection of state budget revenues. Prioritizing the investment of state budget capital in works and projects that are strategically significant for the region, see no possibility of capital recovery, or treat environmental poltution, essential social infrastructure facilities and agricultural and rural development projects: at the same time, batancing the state budget for realizi ng the 54 social security policies, especially for the poor and policybeneficiaryhouseholds; intensifying the control of expenditures, ensuring the effective use of budget funds for socio economic development in the region. Drawing up and promulgating a list of programs and projects calling for investment through 2020; intensifying investment promotion in order to attract investment capital from all economic sectors; using and making the best use of aDA sources for investing in the development of large-sized, synchronous and modem socio-economic infrastructure facilities. • Organizing auctions of land use rights to mobilize capital from domestic and foreign investors fordevelopment investment, effectively exploitinglandresources; promulgating policies to promote investment and concurrently creating a favorable investment environment; developing the financial market; steppingup the socialization of investmentin health,education, culture and sports. Expanding the investment fOnTIS of BOT, RT, RTO ~md PPP, creating bvof::lhle conditions for developing capital markets; developing forms of joint venture, investment partnership and contributionof assets as investmentcapital. 3. Solutions regarding mechanisms and policies Adopting policies to support rice production zones in order to assure the national food security(grant of preferential credit for the purchase and storage of rice to stabilize rice prices, investment in infrastructure and warehouses in the direction of partnering with localities, creation of a driving force for Issue nos 03-04/July 2012 (C6ng Bdo lias467-4r58/Julv3/, 20f2) development): supporting the development of clean and hi-tech agricultural products. especiallyexport products, and building brands for agricultural commodities. Adopting policies to further develop the industry of preliminary processing and processing of agricultural, forest and fishery products in deep-lying, remote and difficulty-hit areas. Adopting special investment, financial and creditincentives for sub-regions with many rivers and canals, includingapplication or appropriate investment rates and ratios to development projects funded with {he state budget or credit loans originating from the state budget. 4. Human resource solutions Introducing policies to promote and attract talentsand highly quaf fied technicians {O work permanently in the regional localities, and at the same time accelerating the training of local human resources suitable to the schedule of the regional socio-economic restructuring. Intensifying investment in education, training, health and culture to improve the people's intellectual standards. percentage of trained labor, people's health and professional qualifications of economic managers and state administrativc officia Is and civiI servants. Expanding job training, employment promotion, assistance and recommendation in many appropriate forms; adopting policies on job training for laborers who snift to non agricultural occupations and trades. Accelerating the elaboration unci announcement of a master plan on the network of schools at all levels (general education, job training,college and university); reserving land Issue nos 03-04/July 2012 (Gong BaD nos467-4681July 3 J, 2012) for non-public schools in order to step up the socialization of education and training. Completing the master plan on development of the health sector and the master plan on training of health workers, focusing on development of hi-tech medical establishments; increasing investment in specialized health centers and training human resources for the grassroots health network and preventive medicine. S. Scientific and technological solutions Concentrating on scientific and technological research and application, creating a new and effective development in the research and application of scientific and technological advances to production, business and state management. Promoting inventive research to meet requirements of local and regional socio economic development. Promoting internal strengths combined with international cooperation and socialization of scientific and iechnotog ical acriviues, founding a scientific and technological market associated with eco-environmental protection and sustainable development. 6. Administrative reform solutions Further improving the effectiveness of administrative reforms toward publicity and transparency, and at the same time raising the quality of tile contingent of cadres and civil servants so as to create a favorable environment for attracting investment and properly settling administrative procedures. Promptly and fully elaborating and promulgating regulations, mechanisms and policies to promote dernocracv, innovation and ss creativity and facilitate effective operation of the entire administration system. thus meeting de velopmein re4 uirements. Raising the effectiveness of management activities of local administrations at all levels; clearly defining the powers and responsibilities of diffcrcnt agencies to prevent overlapping functions and tasks; and at the same time intensifying the combat against red tape, corruption and wastefulness in the performance of task of the state agencies. 7. Cooperation and market development solutions Expanding cooperation on the development of agriculture, training. health, tourism, sc ieuti fie research, technology transfer and labor supply between the Mekong River delta and south eastern Vietnam. especial ly Ho Chi Minh City, in order to bring into full play the potential of the region. Enhancing cooperation among the regional localities on investment promotion, building of material zones and development of the processing industry, and expansion of product outlets, facilitating the common use of the regional infrastructure for industrial production, treatment of solid waste, water supply, and wholesale markets; conducti ng coordi nated tourism promotion, forming tours; exploiting, using and protecting water resources and protecting the environment. Enhancing cooperation on the development of cross-border trade with Cambodia, developing border-gate economic zones, building transport and power supply networks 56 for neighboring Vietnamese and Cambodian localities. Stepping up cooperation with the countries in the Mekong River lower basin on the exploitationand useof MekongRiver water sources, especially for the purposes of agricultural development, fishing and aquaculture and mitigation of flood impacts. Article 2. Organization and supervision of the master plan implementation 1. After being approved by the Prime Minister, this master plan will serve as a basis for theelaboration, submission for approval and implementation of sectoral master plans in the region, and socioeconomic development master plans of the regional localities, 2. The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries and sectors and regional localities in: ~ Announcing and publicizing the master plan, organizing investment promotion, propagandaandadvertisement in order toattract domestic and foreign investment and all economic sectors to take part in implementing the master plan Monitoring, urging, supervising and inspecting the implementation of the regional master plan and master plans of ministries, sectors and regional localities; supervising the implementation of regional key programs and investment projects. Studying and proposing a mechanism for coordination and policies on partnership and coordination among locallocalities and between the region and other regions. Calling for Issuenos03·04/July 2012 (Cong Baa nos 467·4681Julv 31, 20/2) investment in regional key projects, 3. Related ministries and sectors shall: Elaborate, adjust and submit for approval their master plans and plans on major products of the region suitable to the development objectives, tasks and orientations approved in Article 1of this Decision. Study, formulate and submit to competent state agencies for promulgation a number of special mechanisms and policies mentioned in Clause 5, Article I of this Decision for successfully achieving thc objectives and performing the tasksset forth in the masterplan. Coordinate with the Ministry of Planning and Investment in organizing and supervising the implementation of the master plan. supervisingthe implementationof regional key programsand investmentprojectsin thepriority order under their management, with a view 10 promoting the socio-economicdevelopment of the region. These ministries and sectors have the following specific tasks: aJ The Ministry of Transport shall: Direct the building and completion of important transport works in the region, such as Quan ChanhBocanal fairways, TrungLuong My Thuan - Can Tho expressway, new Phu Quoc international airport, upgraded Cho Gao canal, southern coastal roads, and Cao Lanh, Yam Cong, Nam Can and Co Chien bridges. Study investment in building J seaport capable of accommodating ships of 30,000· 50,OOODWT. Propose a mechanism to raise capital for Issuenos03-04/July 2012 (Gong Beo rWs467-468/}u[y31, 2U12) large-sized transport development projects in the region. hi The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall: Complete the elaboration and organize the implementation of master plans on irrigation, and key agricultural and aquatic products in the region. Propose support mechanisms and policies and provide suppons for the regional localities in building hi-tech agricultural zones. cl The Ministry of Education aud Training shall : Study and propose mechanisms and policies to promote partnership between training establishments and enterprises employing trained human resources in the region; create conditions for the Can Tho University and some other universities to modernize their physical foundations and develop {heir lecturing staffs and training programs to reach the level of the developed regional countries. Coordinate with the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, Can Tho city and related agencies in bui lding Can Tho city into a regional center for training high-quality human resources. dJ The Ministry oflndustry and Trade shall: Assure {he building of power centers and power distribution networks in the region according to set schedules and master plans. ~ Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related localities in, building a network of regional wholesale markets and 57 trade centers. e/ The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related localities in, responding to climate change and sea level rise; protectingand rationallyexplorting water sources; protecting national parks and nature reserves, and conserving bio-diversity fl The Ministry of Construction shalt assume the prime responsibility for elaborating and adjusting general master plans in association with the planning, inspection and supervision of the building of regional hazardous waste treatment fad lities. cemeteries and water supply systems; coordinate with the regional localities in building water drainage and wastewater treatment systems, step by step remedying inundation in urban centers. 4. The provincial-level People's Committees in the Mekong River delta shall: Take the initiative in reviewing, adjusting, supplementing and submitting to competent authorities for approval their adjusted master plans on socio-economic development through 2020 in line with the objectives and tasks approved in this Decision, To coordinate with ministries and sectors in organizing investment promotion, publicity and advertisement, thereby auracting domestic and foreign investors and all economic sectors to take part in implementing the master plan, To supervise and inspect the implementation of development investment projects in their localities according to {heir assigned functions, and report to the Prime Minister. Article 3. This Decision takes effect on the Issue nos03"04J,July 20]2 (Cong 8<io JJO.\ 467-46S/Jlily 31. ?O1?) date of its signing. government-attached agencies shall imp!ement this Decision. Article 4. Chairpersons of provincial-level People's Committees in the region, ministers, Prune Minister heads of ministerial-level agencies and NGUYEN TAN DUNG Appendix List of programs and projects prioritized for investment study in the Mekong river delta through 2020 (To the Prime Minister's Decision No. 939/QD-TTg ofJuly /9, 2012) No. Sector I Agriculture Program on I million hectares of high-quality rice; program on plant varieties and livestock and aquatic animal breeds; Programs to build and upgrade the system of fishing ports: to build hi-tech agricultural production areas and zones, zones of high-quality rice for export and intensive farming of specialty fruit trees; Projects to develop semi-industrial and industrial-scale husbandry; raising of high quality beef cattle; Project to protect and develon national narks. II Industry Powercenters: 0 Man in Can Tho; Duyen Hai in Tra Vinh; Long Phu in Soc Trang; Song Hau in Hau Giang; Kien Luong in Kien Giang; and Phu Quae thermal power plant (200 MW); Power uunsrnission network: Tra Vinh ' My Tho 500 kY transmission line, 0 Mon - Soc Trang 500 kV transmission line:and an undersea powercable line to Phu Quae island. III Services and tourism Infrastructure of border-gale economic zones: Tinh Bien, Vinh Xuong, Khanh Binh (An Giang province), Ha Tien (Kien Giang province); Dong Thap; Long An; Tourism; Tourist sites in Phu Quoc island; Bay Nui (That Son) - An Giang; Thoi Son islet - Tien Giang; U Minh Ha national park ceo-tourism site - Ca Mau. IV Infrastructure facilities I Transport Roads: 60 .1 S~~JIPJU'~. {J.l-~o;/ t:I~~". :~.H}.f (CC)fj[J LJi~(llili.\ oiIJi4rj'j'iJilh ,I, ,)1)1,.) 2 Health The Can Tho central general hospital; and regional general hospitals in Tien (iiiJllg and Kien (Jiang provinces; Oncology and pediatrics hospitals in Can Tho, and a cardiovascular hospital ill An Giang province 3 Culture and sports Building of Dong Thap Muoi museum in Go Thup (Dong Thap): Building of Tay Do cultural center and 0 Mon cultural center (Khmer cultural center) in Can Tho; • Building of a regional physical training and sports center in Can Tho, VI Science, technology and environment ~ Compilation of cadastral dossiers and a land management database, and building of environment observation centers in the regional provinces; Upgrading of the Rice Institute for the Mekong River delta; the Fruit Tree Institute for South Vietnam; the Aquatic Research Institute for the Mekong River della in Can Tho; and ~ Technical ami Technological Application Center for the Mekong River delta.