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COVER STORY

At the forefront

In his welcome address at VET’s Vietnam Connect Forum in Hai Phong on
April 10, reproduced below, Mr. Le Tien Chau, member of the Party Cental
Committee, Secretary of the Hai Phong city Party Committee, spoke of its
efforts in green growth and green transition.

eeply aware that green growth is On that basis, the government and local-
an important way to maintain and ities need to develop an adequate and com-
D create sustainable growth momen- prehensive legal corridor and appropriate
tum for now and into the future, Hai approach to encourage and create the most
Phong has been one of the pioneering favorable conditions possible for businesses
localities in Vietnam in implementing in the green transition process, by allowing
the National Green Growth Strategy. Over the piloting of new economic models in a
the last decade, it has always been among green and sustainable direction.
the leaders in terms of socio-economic Secondly, green transformation needs
development. In 2023, in the context of an appropriate roadmap, taking into
general difficulties facing the global and account the specific conditions and dif-
domestic economy, the city’s gross regional ferent capacities of localities. For example,
domestic product (GRDP) growth still “Green and sustainable localities with strengths in agriculture
managed to reach 10.34 per cent, marking economic development is key will have different requirements and
nine consecutive years of double-digit roadmaps than localities with a foundation
growth, while export turnover reached and has become a necessary in industrial development. Therefore,
$31 billion and cargo throughput at its direction for all countries around localities around the country must uphold
ports stood at 170 million tons. Hai Phong the globe and each locality to take, a spirit of solidarity, cooperation, sharing,
has also been a bright spot in FDI attrac- including Hai Phong”. and harmonizing interests to reach the
tion, bringing in over $3.6 billion in 2023. goals set out by the government.
In the first quarter of 2024, Hai Phong H.E. Mr. Le Tien Chau Thirdly, responding to the government’s
ranked first among five centrally-run cities Member of the Party Central Committee, strategic orientation on green and sustainable
in GRDP growth, with 9.32 per cent year- Secretary of City Party Committee, Head development, Hai Phong proposes that it
on-year, or 1.6-fold higher than the national of Hai Phong National Assembly Delegation establish the country’s first green economic
average. Domestic budget revenue reached zone, in the southern reaches of the Hai
over VND18.9 trillion ($754.9 million), Phong coastal economic zone, while at the
an increase of 130 per cent and representing same time developing the Cat Ba Archipelago
50 per cent of the central allocation esti- into a “green” tourism destination. Hai
mate, while export turnover stood at some Phong hopes to receive the attention and
$7.74 billion, up more than 18 per cent. helps us more clearly see the importance support of the government, ministries,
The DEEP C Industrial Park and the Nam of protecting the living environment, central agencies, and localities in this regard.
Cau Kien Industrial Park in Hai Phong ensuring harmony between people and By co-organizing this important and
are both oriented to develop into eco- nature. Green and sustainable economic meaningful event today, together with the
industrial parks, pioneering the transition development is key and has become a Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Vietnam
to this model in Vietnam. necessary direction for all countries around Economic Times, Hai Phong hopes the
On December 2, 2023, the government the globe and each locality to take, includ- Forum will create opportunities for all
approved the Hai Phong City Master Plan ing Hai Phong. At today’s Forum, on parties to share their mission, vision, and
for the 2021-2030 Period with a Vision to behalf of Hai Phong, I would like to pro- goals, seek opportunities and strengthen
2050. This features six development view- pose the following. cooperation, and work from awareness to
points, of which the city will focus on Firstly, the Vietnamese Government’s action on “greening” to contribute to creating
developing a number of modern scientific commitment to achieve net-zero emissions a more beautiful and sustainable future.
and technological fields and especially at COP26 is impressive and demonstrates As one of five centrally-run cities in
its marine economy, to be truly at the the country’s political determination. Vietnam and as the economic engine of
forefront of the country’s industrialization However, the concept of sustainable devel- the northern region, Hai Phong commits
and modernization process. It will quickly opment, net emissions, and carbon neu- to continuing to synchronously and dras-
become a city with modern industry and trality are quite new to a large proportion tically implement solutions and immerse
services and high-tech, organic, green, of Vietnam’s population. I think it is busi- itself in the general development rhythm
and circular agriculture associated with ness that must play a leading role and of the country, becoming a “green city”
digital transformation. support the commitment to net-zero emis- based on a “green and sustainable econ-
The global context is quite complex sions and green development. Businesses omy”. At the same time, it will effectively
and unpredictable, with geopolitical con- have all the necessary information, con- implement green growth projects to
flicts and crises caused by climate change ditions, and resources to do so. Therefore, improve its competitiveness, with a vision
and the depletion of natural resources I propose that businesses show a pio- of becoming a model of a dynamic, green,
posing a host of challenges to the devel- neering spirit and take the lead in imple- clean, and livable city in the region and
opment of each and every country and menting green and sustainable economic also an attractive destination for domestic
locality. At the same time, however, this development strategies. and foreign investors. %

18 Vietnam Economic Times April 15, 2024 en.vneconomy.vn