Gradually turn Bat Xat into a center of trade connection

Nguyen Manh Hung

Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Committee of Bat Xat commune

Building a cross-border economic cooperation zone is a new growth driver, creating a breakthrough to gradually turn Bat Xat into an international economic trade connection center, which is one of the important goals set by the Bat Xat Commune Party Committee for the 2025-2030 term.

Bat Xat commune is based on the merger of Quang Kim, Phin Ngan, Ban Qua, Ban Vuoc communes and Bat Xat town with an area of 189.98 km2 and a population of 26,838 people. Located in a strategic location, with inter-regional and China-connected traffic infrastructure being heavily invested, Bat Xat has a great opportunity to become a center for international economic trade connections.

In the period of 2021-2025, many planning projects were implemented to serve as a basis for investment, calling for investment in infrastructure projects in areas with development potential in the commune, such as: Detailed planning project of Bat Xat district entertainment area 308 ha; Detailed planning of Logistic area in Kim Thanh - Ban Vuoc area 332 ha; Detailed planning of industrial park for processing, manufacturing, packaging of import and export goods 222 ha; Detailed planning of Ban Qua Industrial Park 95 ha; Adjusting and expanding the detailed planning of Ban Vuoc sub-border gate with a scale of 343 ha to create a basis for investment in building a special functional area for tourism development and trade services, logistics, import and export of the province. Based on the set goals, based on the potential and advantages of the locality, in the term 2025 - 2030, Bat Xat commune Party Committee proposed 3 breakthrough areas:

One is infrastructure development. Focus on developing synchronous, modern, inter-regional economic and social infrastructure, focusing on transport infrastructure, urban infrastructure, industrial infrastructure, services, tourism, logistics, digital infrastructure according to planning, creating a foundation for rapid and sustainable development, especially in the border economic zone area. Complete infrastructure to build the central area of Bat Xat commune to gradually meet the criteria of a new urban area of the Central Government and towards an urban area to become a ward.

Second is to develop the border gate economy. Build the border gate economic zone into a multi-industry economic zone, a breakthrough point, a center of trade, logistics, finance, tourism and industrial production of Lao Cai , one of the trading centers of the ASEAN region and the Southwest region - China with a focus on the Free Trade Zone and the Cross-border Economic Cooperation Zone. Build a smart border gate at Ban Vuoc - Ba Sai Border Gate. Build at least 1 4-star resort or higher in the cross-border economic cooperation zone.

Third is industrial and logistics development associated with urban development. Focus on developing processing and manufacturing industries in the direction of deep processing of products and expanding and developing post-metallurgical industries associated with the exploitation and effective use of minerals with large reserves such as copper. Promote the agricultural and forestry processing industry associated with the development of raw material areas and consumption markets; attract investment in the construction of 2 industrial parks, 1 industrial cluster and 3 logistics projects, warehouses serving production, processing, manufacturing and import-export activities; develop service types including logistics services... Build at least 2 model urban areas associated with the formation of social housing projects serving workers in industrial parks and clusters.

In the context of increasingly deep international integration, our country has achieved many important achievements in economic development, in which, the most prominent is the promotion of cooperation with countries around the world and the active participation in Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), especially new generation Free Trade Agreements along with regional cooperation mechanisms, Bat Xat can take advantage of opportunities to export goods and attract international investment. The cross-border economic cooperation zone will create conditions for the locality to become a trading center, attracting domestic and foreign enterprises.

In addition to its outstanding potentials and advantages, Bat Xat also faces certain difficulties and challenges. First of all, the connecting infrastructure is not yet synchronized. Although it has received investment attention, the internal transport system and regional connection are still limited, causing difficulties in transporting goods and developing logistics; site clearance is still a "bottleneck" that needs to be resolved.

At the same time, other border localities are also receiving strong investment, creating great competitive pressure in attracting investment and developing border gate economy. In addition, the local labor force is limited in skills and qualifications, while the application of modern technology in production and logistics is still not synchronized.

To realize the goal of gradually becoming a center for international economic trade, in the coming period, Bat Xat will promote economic development by groups and sectors. First of all, it is necessary to urgently complete the planning and build synchronous infrastructure. Organize the establishment, adjustment and approval of the general planning of Bat Xat commune, in which the core urban development area is determined to be the central area.

Implement new planning, adjust detailed planning to suit new development orientation; Connecting the space of socio-economic activities through the economic corridor, along provincial roads (156, 156B), creating regional connections between Bat Xat commune and Lao Cai ward, Coc San commune; between Kim Thanh - Ban Vuoc economic zone and the Southwest region of China; between Lao Cai province and Hanoi and Hai Phong cities along the Noi Bai - Lao Cai expressway. Arrange works, projects, technical infrastructure, residential areas, ensuring smooth connection between inter-commune regions, in accordance with the general planning orientation of the province and the key development direction of the inter-commune region.

By identifying border gate economy as a breakthrough field, the commune will accelerate the implementation of key projects of the province in the area, creating momentum and spreading power. In particular, focusing on developing a logistics center meeting class II standards in Kim Thanh - Ban Vuoc area; soon completing the road bridge project across the Red River, the project of transporting goods (containers) across the border by advanced methods in Ban Vuoc.

Promote the development of economic, cultural and border gate logistics service centers, combined with the expansion of the commune central market. Attract investment in building supermarkets and type 3 bus stations, expand the static parking system to serve trade and import-export activities.

Along with that, develop the central area of Bat Xat commune to meet the urban criteria of the Central Government, towards urbanization to become a ward. Build an urban - industrial - commercial - tourism corridor along Provincial Road 156 (Kim Thanh - Ngoi Phat), contributing to promoting the urbanization process on the spot, harmoniously combining rural tradition and urban modernity, forming a diverse living space, typical of the border highlands.

Investment projects in industrial parks and clusters will continue to be prioritized. In particular, the construction and completion of Ban Qua Industrial Park will be completed, striving to attract and form 2 industrial parks and 1 industrial cluster; attracting investment in developing industrial projects, focusing on developing facilities for processing agricultural products, food, medicinal materials; processing wood and non-timber forest products.

Expand the scale of Sin Quyen copper mining, exploit iron ore points in Ban Vuoc area to supply raw materials for the copper smelter and processing factories when Ban Qua Industrial Park is formed. Gradually increase the occupancy rate of industrial zones and clusters to over 80%. Attract over 20,000 workers in the industrial sector.

Build industrial zones for processing, manufacturing, and packaging export goods in cross-border cooperation zones; prioritize the development of industries with high added value such as processing agricultural products, electronics, wooden furniture, metals, chemicals, and high-tech fields.

With the investment attention of the Central Government, the province and the efforts of the Party Committee, the government, especially the consensus of the people, we believe that Bat Xat will take advantage of all potentials and advantages, overcome difficulties and challenges to become one of the international economic trade connection centers of the province and the region.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/dua-bat-xat-tung-buoc-tro-thanh-trung-tam-ket-noi-giao-thuong-post879180.html