Binh Duong aims at building a smart, green and sustainable city

Provincial planning for for the period of 2021-2030, with a vision towards 2050 (briefly called provincial planning), approved by the Prime Minister, is expected to open up new development spaces and opportunities for Binh Duong to become a modern urban, industrial and service hub with regional and international significance; further enhance the province’s position, propelling Binh Duong’s development in the new era with higher, more comprehensive and broader objectives. On the occasion of the ceremony announcing provincial plan, Binh Duong Newspaper had an interview with Mai Hung Dung, Member of provincial Party Standing Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of provincial People's Committee, to clarify the province's development orientation.

The construction of roads with regional connectivity is one of the breakthrough steps in Binh Duong's infrastructure development. In picture: My Phuoc - Tan Van expressway

- Could you share what is new and different about this provincial planning compared to the previous one?

Provincial planning for the period of 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, has several new and different aspects compared to the previous periods. Specifically, unlike the previous plans which mainly focused on short-term goals, this plan also provides long-term development directions until 2050. This allows Binh Duong to plan comprehensively, anticipating new development trends. In addition, Binh Duong aims at building a smart, green and sustainable city, focusing on the application of high technology, renewable energy and a friendly living environment. These changes meet the demands of urban modernization and improve the quality of people’s life for residents.

This planning emphasizes that creating stronger inter-regional and inter-provincial connections will help Binh Duong become an economic hub of the southern region, closely connected with Ho Chi Minh city and neighboring provinces. The traffic system, especially highways, Metro lines and logistics networks, will be expanded and upgraded. The new planning prioritizes the shift from traditional industries to Industry 4.0, promoting high-tech sectors, automation and high-quality services, rather than just focusing on industrial production as before. Additionally, Binh Duong is enhancing land management and environmental protection; continues planning and using land efficiently, minimizing the use of natural resources and land for environmentally harmful purposes while protecting ecological areas and water resources.

Under this planning, Binh Duong will further promote investment activities, improve the local business and investment environment and enhance its international brand, with a particular focus on maintaining its position in the ICF Top 1.

- Provincial planning sets many major goals, especially the goal of making Binh Duong become a centrally run city by 2030. What breakthrough mechanisms and policies will Binh Duong implement to achieve this goal?

To achieve the goal of becoming a centrally run city by 2030, Binh Duong has proposed a series of breakthrough mechanisms, policies and directions, focusing on the following factors:

First is the restructuring of urban space. In terms of urban decentralization, Binh Duong will develop cities in a decentralized manner, with satellite cities such as Thu Dau Mot city, Thuan An city, Di An city and Ben Cat city, with focus on synchronous planning and modernization for infrastructure. Regarding the development of smart cities, Binh Duong will continue strongly promoting a model on smart city, enhancing the application of technology in urban management and public services and attract investment in smart infrastructure projects.

Second is the breakthrough in traffic infrastructure. Specifically, in terms of regional traffic infrastructure development, Binh Duong will build highways, urban railway systems and Metro lines connecting with Ho Chi Minh city and other provinces in the Southern Key Economic Region. Major projects such as belt road 3, belt road 4 and inter-provincial roads will be accelerated. In terms of strengthening logistics infrastructure, Binh Duong will develop industrial parks integrated with large-scale logistics centers to meet the entire region’s needs for goods circulation and transportation.

Third is administrative reform and improvement on investment environment. Specifically, regarding administrative procedures, Binh Duong will further reform administrative processes, reducing the time required to handle procedures related to investment and business, creating favorable conditions for both domestic and foreign businesses to make investment. In terms of special mechanisms, Binh Duong may ask the government’s approval to apply certain special policies such as tax exemptions or reductions for high-tech projects and incentives for investment in technological and environmental sectors.

Fourth is the economic transformation towards Industry 4.0. In a bid to promote the restructuring of the economy, Binh Duong will not only focus on traditional industries, but also aim at developing new industrial parks and green ones. For FDI attraction, Binh Duong will enhance investment promotion in high-tech sectors, clean energy, services and tourism while encouraging large international corporations to establish their facilities in Binh Duong.

Provincial planning for the period of 2021-2030, with a vision towards 2050, aims at building a smart, green and sustainable city, focusing on high technology application, renewable energy and a friendly living environment. In picture: The road leading to the center of Binh Duong New City

Fifth is the development of high-quality human resources. Specifically, in terms of training and attracting talent people, Binh Duong will collaborate with universities and research institutes at home and abroad to train high-quality human resources, particularly in high-tech fields, artificial intelligence and smart urban management. Regarding talent attraction policies, Binh Duong will implement preferential policies on salaries, bonuses, housing and working conditions to attract skilled experts, engineers and entrepreneurs to work in Binh Duong.

Sixth is environmental protection and sustainable development. Accordingly, for green development, Binh Duong will incorporate sustainable development policies that combine environmental protection and the use of renewable energy. New infrastructure projects and industrial parks will have to comply with environmental standards and green development practices.

Seventh is building an international brand. Binh Duong will further maintain its position as the Top 1 in the ICF; further participate in international organizations while promoting foreign investment activities and enhancing the image of Binh Duong as a leading destination for high-tech development and investment.

-Provincial plan sets the goal for Binh Duong to lead in science, technology and innovation, becoming a modern industrial and service hub in the region. What breakthrough solutions does Binh Duong have to achieve this goal, sir?

Binh Duong is implementing a number of key solutions in a synchronous manner such as establishing the “Binh Duong Innovation Region”. Binh Duong is also actively pursuing digital transformation; focusing on industry as the foundation and breakthrough, with the core being the development of industrial infrastructure associated to urbanization while continuously improving the investment environment to enhance the province's competitiveness.

-Under provincial planning, what are Binh Duong’s expectations on attracting new generations of foreign investment in the near future, sir?

In the upcoming period, the province's investment attraction will be selectively focused on obtaining high-tech projects, clean technologies and those requiring less labor and having high added value. Binh Duong will also attract auxiliary industries and services towards sustainable development in association with a green economy and a circular economy. The province will establish urban development models associated with breakthroughs in renewable energy usage, becoming one of the dynamic and comprehensive development centers in the country and Southeast Asia, driving the construction of modern, synchronized, smart and sustainable economic and social infrastructure and urban systems.

- Thank you, sir.

Reported by Phuong Le-Translated by Kim Tin