Hai Duong and other localities in connecting the eastern expressway axis achieved many outstanding results.

Attending the conference were leaders of four localities including the provinces and cities of Hai Phong, Hai Duong, Quang Ninh, Hung Yen and the Vietnam Federation of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).

Comrade Le Van Hieu, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Council, Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation attended the conference. Also attending were Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Tran Van Quan and leaders of a number of relevant departments and branches.

In his welcoming speech, Comrade Nguyen Xuan Ky, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Council of Quang Ninh province affirmed that the VEHEC agreement has been materialized through specific activities. Although it has not been established for long, VEHEC has carried out practical tasks, promoting regional connectivity. The conference to review the year 2023 and deploy the plan for 2024 is an opportunity for localities to evaluate the results achieved as well as frankly acknowledge the limitations, thereby proposing solutions to promote VEHEC cooperation in depth.

The four localities in VEHEC all play an important role in the socio-economic development of the country with many unique strengths. In particular, in recent times, all four provinces and cities have been determined to strongly improve the investment and business environment, enhance provincial competitiveness to seize new opportunities. Therefore, VEHEC localities need to seriously implement the commitments they have made, harmonizing common interests with individual goals for mutual development.

Participating in the discussion at the conference, Mr. Le Van Hieu, Standing Deputy Secretary of Hai Duong Provincial Party Committee, highlighted the unique development advantages of Hai Duong. At the same time, he affirmed that VEHEC is an important initiative, promoting the major orientations and goals of each locality and the sub-region. For VEHEC to operate effectively and practically, Mr. Le Van Hieu, Standing Deputy Secretary of Hai Duong Provincial Party Committee, suggested that VEHEC should promote its role in policy research and advocacy. From there, remove difficulties for people and businesses from policies and institutions. Highly appreciating the establishment of the Eastern Expressway Sub-regional Business Council, Mr. Le Van Hieu expected that the council would connect the business community of 4 provinces and cities, playing an important role in the development of sub-regional enterprises. In addition, the 4 localities need to research to connect and develop OCOP products to promote linkages in agricultural production in addition to focusing on industry, trade and services.

Sharing this view, VCCI Chairman Pham Tan Cong said that 2023 is the starting year to implement VEHEC's development goals. The spirit of solidarity has helped the four localities increase their adaptability to difficulties to achieve impressive growth, surpassing the whole country. The provinces and cities have exploited and promoted their strengths to build a sustainable and highly competitive sub-region. In addition to the proud results achieved, VEHEC also faces many challenges, especially in operation. Therefore, the success of VEHEC is not only the individual efforts of each locality but also the solidarity and consensus of the four localities.

At the conference, the Eastern Expressway Sub-regional Business Council (VBC) under VEHEC was launched with members representing a number of associations and business associations in 4 provinces and cities. VBC will create a connection mechanism, expand business development and investment space for enterprises. At the same time, it will help enterprises exploit opportunities through cooperation and association activities... At the same time, it will grant the co-chairmanship of VEHEC in 2024 to Quang Ninh province.

VEHEC will be implemented from July 2022 with the consensus of 4 provinces and cities: Hai Phong, Hai Duong, Quang Ninh and Hung Yen, with VCCI playing a coordinating role.

In 2023, the growth rate of the 4 provinces and cities in VEHEC will be over 8%, among the top 20 localities with good results nationwide. The industrial production index improved by over 6%, far exceeding the national average (1%). All 4 localities have positive results in attracting investment, especially foreign direct investment (FDI). The total newly registered capital of the sub-region in 2023 is forecast to reach 8.15 billion USD, equal to nearly half of the total newly registered FDI capital of the whole country...

In 2023, VEHEC has signed a connection agreement, issued documents to improve the organizational structure and actively developed and implemented the project to establish a Regional Business Council. VEHEC has increased trade and investment activities by organizing and participating in the Vietnam-Japan business forum, promoting trade and investment in Europe, and the VEHEC industrial park forum. In addition, VEHEC also participated in seminars on green business investment environment, trained sub-regional business associations on policies and laws in import and export, and dialogued and resolved difficulties for businesses in the sub-region.

It is expected that in 2024, VEHEC will continue to improve its organizational structure, promote foreign investment, and advocate policies related to the sub-region. In addition, VEHEC is interested in organizing business forums, training, and coaching for business associations and typical businesses in the sub-region...