Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has signedDirective 25/CT-TG on measures to promote sustainable growth and development ofthe northern key economic zone.

The northern key economic zone, comprising the capital city of Ha Noi,Hai Phong city, and the provinces of Quang Ninh, Hai Duong, Hung Yen, Vinh Phucand Bac Ninh, is the political, economic, cultural and defence-security centreof the country.

The zone accounts for almost 32 percent of the national GDP and 35.52percent of the combined GRDP of the four key economic zones. The sevenlocalities contribute over 31 percent of the State budget and 32 percent of thenational export revenue.

However, the zone’s sustainable development is facing several problems,particularly the uneven development levels among localities in the zone, and somelocalities’ dependence on large-scale FDI projects for State budget collection,among others.

Directive 25 outlines a number of measures to address the problems, thefirst of which is to build favourable, open and stable policies and mechanismsthat suit the region’s situation.

Ministries are assigned specific tasks in reviewing and drafting lawsand other legal documents on investment, corporates, planning, while People’sCommittees of cities and provinces in the zone are asked to issue specificmechanisms to facilitate the development of several major businesses into corporationsof regional and global importance, thus leading the way for firms in the zone.

Another measure is to promote connectivity among sectors and industries.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment is asked to build a programme supportingconnectivity among small- and medium-sized enterprises according to regions.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade is assigned to coordinate with theMinistry of Agriculture and Rural Development to build linkages betweendistribution companies and agricultural producers, and develop a network oflogistics centre in the region.

The Ministry of Construction must research and design a national urbanand rural development master plan, propose mechanisms and solutions to developsocial housing in urban areas and industrial parks, and for low-income earners.

The PM urges People’s Committees of cities, provinces in the zone to payattention to linkages with each other and with localities outside the zone inattracting investment, mobilizing and distributing resources, and building socio-economicinfrastructure, and protecting the environment and adapting to climate change.

He reminded the zone’s localities toimprove the efficiency in using resources in socio-economic infrastructure and attract more investment in the form of public-privatepartnership, particularly into transport./.