Realizing the aspiration to become a new growth pole (Part 2)

Opening the East-West connection axis, linking the potential of the plateau with the advantages of the sea, technology with industry, logistics with export... is the "launch pad" for Dak Lak to continue to affirm its "strategic position of strategy", to rise up and break through in the new development stage.

In recent times, a series of strategic projects have been and are being implemented in Dak Lak province, creating a seamless connection network, helping to reduce logistics costs and expand development space. In particular, the Khanh Hoa - Buon Ma Thuot Expressway Project is a typical project, gradually realizing the goal of Resolution No. 23-NQ/TW, dated October 6, 2022 of the Politburo in building Dak Lak into the center of the Central Highlands region.

After more than 2 years of construction, phase 1 of the project with a total length of about 117.5 km (the section passing through Dak Lak province is 84.8 km long) is gradually taking shape. In the context that the existing East-West connecting routes in the province are overloaded due to the increasing traffic volume and the increasing demand for freight transport, the Khanh Hoa - Buon Ma Thuot expressway is an important solution to the problem of developing strategic transport infrastructure.

Provincial leaders presented the decision approving the investment policy of the Bai Goc Port Construction Investment Project to the representative of Bai Goc Phu Yen Port Joint Stock Company.

At the same time, Dak Lak is also promoting the upgrading and expansion of National Highway 29 and the construction of the East-West Expressway. Specifically, National Highway 29 connecting Phu Yen (old) with the administrative center of Dak Lak province has been agreed to be included in the medium-term public investment plan for the period 2026 - 2030, with a total estimated capital of 11,000 billion VND. As for the East-West Expressway, the starting point is from Bai Goc port, the end point is at Dak Rue border gate; in which phase 1 from the North-South Expressway in the East to National Highway 14 (Ho Chi Minh Road) is about 122 km long, with a scale of 4 lanes, expected to be implemented in the form of public-private partnership (PPP) with a total investment of over 30,000 billion VND.

The East-West transport infrastructure is considered a strategic artery, opening a new economic corridor, synchronously connecting from agricultural areas to industrial zones and coastal economic zones. Along this corridor, many dynamic economic zones will be formed, creating inter-regional development spillovers.

Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Ta Anh Tuan

Sharing about the opportunities opened up by the traffic infrastructure when connected along the East-West axis, General Director of Dak Lak 2-9 Import-Export Company Limited Thai Anh Tuan affirmed: “The strategy of developing traffic connection in the East-West direction is the key to help businesses reduce time and save costs in the process of bringing goods and agricultural products of Dak Lak to trade in the international market. When the East-West connecting highways are completed, the distance connecting to international seaports will be shortened, helping to increase the advantages and initiative in logistics stages of all businesses operating in the import-export sector of the province. Currently, the unit is looking for reputable investors and long-term partners in Ho Chi Minh City in the field of logistics to build warehousing services, export coffee and agricultural products, in order to bring local products to the global market”.

If the West of Dak Lak is a large agricultural production space, like the "warehouse" of the Central Highlands, rich in processing and export potential, the East of the province is positioned as an industrial and seaport center. The formation of the East-West axis connecting the seaport with the raw material area is assessed by economic experts as the "key" for Dak Lak to gradually participate deeply in the global supply chain. When the logistics infrastructure is synchronously connected, the seaport advantage will directly support the agricultural production area, creating a new growth momentum not only for Dak Lak province but also for the whole region.

Construction of Khanh Hoa - Buon Ma Thuot Expressway. Photo: Nguyen Gia

In the province's development strategy, the Nam Phu Yen Economic Zone, covering an area of over 20,700 hectares, is oriented to become a major industrial, urban, service and logistics center of the South Central Coast and Central Highlands regions with a series of infrastructure and industrial projects gradually taking shape, such as the Hoa Tam Industrial Park Infrastructure Construction and Business Project - Phase 1 and the Bai Goc Port Construction and Investment Project. In particular, Hoa Tam Industrial Park - Phase 1 has an area of nearly 492 hectares, with a total investment of over VND 4,100 billion, which is the initial step to form the Hoa Phat iron and steel complex with a capacity of 6 million tons/year. Meanwhile, Bai Goc Port has a scale of 12 wharfs, receiving 220,000 DWT fully loaded ships, with a design capacity of 26.7 million tons/year. With a total capital of about 16,300 billion VND, Bai Goc port will become a strategic cargo transit center, directly serving the metallurgical, petrochemical, energy and import-export industries. These are important driving forces for the province's development.

“The investment in Bai Goc port and the steel complex is a strategic step to raise the status of Vietnam's industry. When the projects are completed, Hoa Phat will contribute about 10,000 billion VND to the provincial budget each year, creating jobs for 15,000 direct workers and tens of thousands of indirect workers,” said Mr. Tran Dinh Long, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hoa Phat Group.

At the same time, the Phu Yen High-Tech Industrial Park Project invested by N&G Group was also launched. With an area of over 250 hectares and an investment capital of nearly VND 2,400 billion, the project aims to attract high-tech industries such as information technology, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, artificial intelligence and logistics. This is considered an important piece to add to the picture of sustainable industrial development of the province.

Recently, the Provincial People's Committee has directed relevant sectors to report on the results of the implementation of the provincial planning as a basis for adjusting the Dak Lak Provincial Planning for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050 after the merger. At the same time, a draft plan to adjust the planning implementation plan has been drafted. The integration of geographical and economic space is an institutional boost, opening up strategic space for the province to develop with a new scale and vision. This is the foundation for optimizing public investment resources as well as attracting investment, opening the door to the sea, promoting regional connectivity for Dak Lak to break through and rise up in the new development stage.

(To be continued)

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/chinh-tri/202509/hien-thuc-hoa-khat-vong-tro-thanh-cuc-tang-truong-moi-ky-2-ef4179c/