Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has approved the establishment of the Ha Tien border-gate economic zone (EZ) in the southern province of Kien Giang.

Ha Tien city, Kien Giang province. Photo: baoxaydung

The EZ, the only of its kind in the province, is expected to lure more local and foreign investors, contributing to promoting the socio-economic development and ensuring the provincial defence and security.

The Ha Tien EZ covers an area of 1,600 ha, including five wards: Phao Dai, Dong Ho, To Chau, Binh San and My Duc. 

The economic zone is divided into five functional areas including: the customs-free and industrial zones, the areas for international border-gate, tourism, administration, housing and other functional areas. 

With the establishment of the economic zone, the provincial authority is calling for more investment projects in terms of trade, tourism, services, and technical infrastructure and in functional areas.

At the EZ establishment ceremony on April 2 in Kien Giang province, Ha Tien Provincial People's Committee Chairman Le Quoc Anh said: “Ha Tien is expected to make a great economic breakthrough to become a city of culture and ecotourism on a regional and international scale, as well as becoming a key urban area of the Mekong Delta region.”

As of 2020, the EZ has lured 35 foreign-invested projects with a total capital of VND4.4 trillion (US$191 million). Trade turnover through the EZ was US$300 million on average in the 2015-2020 period. Revenues from export-import activities reached VND90 billion (US$3.9 million) annually.

Nguyen Thanh Nhan, Deputy Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee asked the EZ management board to promptly complete the organizational structure for the operation of the EZ, review  mechanism, policies and draw up the investment portfolio.

“The Ha Tien border gate economic zone is considered as a truly potential and promising area for the business community and investors. We are committed to always supporting investors here,” Nhan affirmed.