Le Thanh International Border Gate Economic Zone: Methodical planning, opening the way to attract investors

This is considered a core "tool" to increase the effectiveness of investment attraction, clearly identifying priority projects in each phase, suitable to the potential of each region.

Le Thanh international border gate is the western trade hub of Gia Lai and the Central Highlands region with Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand; and is also a gateway for goods and tourism transit on the East-West corridor.

This is also the driving force for economic development of the western sub-region of the province, focusing on border trade, import-export, logistics services and tourism activities.

Synchronous planning is the foundation for long-term development.

On June 4, 2025, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 1074/QD-TTg approving the Master Plan for the construction of the Le Thanh International Border Gate Economic Zone (EZ) until 2045. On that basis, on September 30, the Provincial People's Committee specified the master plan with 6 functional sub-zones.

A corner of Le Thanh International Border Gate. **Photo: Ha Duy**

In which, subdivision 1 - Le Thanh border gate urban area has an area of 1,512 hectares and is planned as a comprehensive economic center, trade services, and border gate trade exchange. This subdivision includes the border gate area; duty-free zone; industrial production area; ICD dry port and urban area; expected population of 15,000 people by 2045.

Sub-zone 2 - Chu Ty town (now Duc Co commune) has an area of 1,545 hectares, planned as a central urban area connecting with the Border Gate Economic Zone, a trading hub and an important transit point for goods, tourism, and logistics; estimated population of 26,000 people.

The remaining four sub-zones include: Sub-zone 3-Ia Kla commune (now Ia Dok commune, 4,995 ha), sub-zone 4-Ia Dom commune (13,266 ha), sub-zone 5-Ia Nan commune (8,797 ha) and sub-zone 6-Ia Pnôn commune (11,400 ha) planned as rural residential areas associated with agricultural raw material areas, prioritizing tourism development (ecological, community, cultural).

Architect Vo Hong Nhan - Chairman of the Gia Lai Province Architects Association - assessed: "The master plan for the Le Thanh International Border Gate Economic Zone until 2045 is very specific and complete, helping to reasonably allocate space for socio-economic activities, national defense and security associated with infrastructure development, resource use and environmental protection, towards sustainable development.

With future investment in "backbone" infrastructure such as the Pleiku-Le Thanh expressway and upgraded National Highway 14C, the border gate area will have a strong push for development.

This year, the province will establish a 1/2000 scale zoning plan for zone 1 (1,512 hectares) and a 1/500 detailed plan for the central area (189 hectares). "After the 1/2000 scale zoning plan for zone 1 is approved, the Provincial Economic Zone Management Board will organize the selection of investors to build and operate infrastructure for logistics zones (10 hectares), duty-free zones (65 hectares) and industrial zones (155 hectares until 2030)" - Mr. Nguyen Nhu Trinh - Deputy Head of the Provincial Economic Zone Management Board informed.

Urgent implementation, creating breakthroughs to attract investment

Currently, at Le Thanh International Border Gate Economic Zone, there are 37 investment projects with a total registered capital of 643.9 billion VND, implemented capital reaching 319.1 billion VND (49.6%). Total import-export turnover in the first 9 months of 2025 in this area reached 157 million USD; budget revenue was 8.9 billion VND. However, border trade activities are still small, lack of excitement, and not commensurate with the potential...

Construction of infrastructure upgrade project at Le Thanh International Border Gate complex. **Photo: Ha Duy**

Ms. Le Thi Hien - Director of Gia Trong Tin One Member Co., Ltd., one of the long-standing investment enterprises in Le Thanh International Border Gate Economic Zone - shared: "We hope that the province will continue to invest in synchronous infrastructure, warehouses, logistics and transportation to attract more enterprises to invest. Thereby, helping commercial activities here become more vibrant, commensurate with the potential".

Gia Lai aims to have an import-export turnover through Le Thanh International Border Gate of over 2 billion USD by 2030. To achieve this goal, the effective implementation of the master plan for the Le Thanh International Border Gate Economic Zone to 2045 is a prerequisite.

The Provincial People's Committee requested the Provincial Economic Zone Management Board to focus on developing a plan for the development of Zone 1; coordinate with departments and branches to develop mechanisms and preferential policies to attract strategic projects in the fields of processing agricultural products, wood, rubber, starch, animal feed, etc.

The People's Committees of communes within the Le Thanh International Border Gate Economic Zone are assigned to develop sub-zone development plans according to the plan.

Mr. Tran Ngoc Phan - Secretary of the Party Committee of Ia Dom Commune - affirmed: "The commune will maximize its potential and advantages, calling for investment in developing trade, services and tourism. At the same time, encourage businesses to invest in opening chains of mini supermarkets and convenience stores in the commune center and border gate areas."

To continue promoting the development of the economic zone and attracting strategic investors, at the meeting and dialogue with import-export enterprises at the Le Thanh International Border Gate Economic Zone on September 27, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Pham Anh Tuan requested the Provincial Economic Zone Management Board to review and develop a specific implementation plan; continue to improve border trade infrastructure, prioritize investment in inspection yards, bonded warehouses, cold storage and specialized inspection systems.

At the same time, connect border gate infrastructure with major traffic routes, especially the Quy Nhon-Pleiku expressway; soon deploy digital border gates, smart border gates, apply digital technology, QR codes and the "one-stop, one-stop" model to facilitate import and export activities.

Mr. Nguyen Nhu Trinh said, implementing the direction of the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, from now until the end of 2025, the Provincial Economic Zone Management Board will appraise and approve functional area planning projects; at the same time, develop a plan to develop markets in the economic zone into large-scale commodity exchange points, attracting traders from border provinces.

Along with that, the Board will complete the organizational model and coordination regulations in managing and controlling people, vehicles and import-export goods; managing and exploiting border gate infrastructure to ensure synchronization and compliance with regulations.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/khu-kinh-te-cua-khau-quoc-te-le-thanh-quy-hoach-bai-ban-mo-loi-thu-hut-nha-dau-tu-post569309.html