Long An province is pondering the development of a super economic zone covering 32,000ha of land, one of the largest in the southern region, according to the latest proposal from the Long An Economic Zone Authority (LAEZA) at a recent conference held in Tan An City.

Tan An city, Long An province. Photo: VGP

The EZ project was part of the province’s development plan for the 2021-30 period with a vision to 2050, which will be submitted to the relevant ministries and agencies and the government for consideration and approval, according to the LAEZA.

With a strategic location and an abundant land fund, the project can connect with major localities such as Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Cantho, Vung Tau and Ho Chi Minh City, and  Phnom Penh in Cambodia. The project will become a link of a supply chain, especially in the hi-tech and agriculture industries.

The EZ will focus on smart electronics, robotics and automation, advanced agriculture and biotechnology, biofuel, biochemistry and healthcare.

Addressing the conference on April 19, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh said: “Long An needs to achieve a harmonious development of urban and agricultural areas. The provincial authority should define key industries for investment and focus on hi-tech, supporting industries and logistics services as well as enhance the technological application in agriculture.”

“The province must continue improving its institutional reform, the business environment and promptly remove obstacles for local enterprises,” he added.

The province will build the hi-tech economic zone in association with smart urban areas similar to those in South Korea to attract hi-tech projects, Nguyen Van Duoc, secretary of the Long An Party Committee, said. Besides, the province has signed ten memoranda of understanding on digital transformation and investment.

The zone, which will include Can Giuoc District and part of Can Duoc District, will be developed based on some existing industrial and hi-tech parks such as Long Hau, Dong Nam A, Tan Kim and Tan Kim.

The project is divided into seven functional areas, including two satellite residential areas in Can Giuoc and Can Duoc, an education, healthcare and sports complex, an auxiliary area, an industrial park-international seaport, a hi-tech agriculture and an eco-urban area.

Residential areas are expected to cover about 15,000ha, while more than 5,800ha will be reserved for seaport and agricultural areas, over 7,800ha are planned for high-tech agriculture and the rest for traffic projects and water surface.