Forum on Da Nang free trade zone opens

The "Da Nang Free Trade Zone  - New Driving Force for the Development of Da Nang's Logistics Industry" forum opened in central Da Nang city on November 14.

The forum attracted over 300 delegates, including domestic and international corporations, businesses, and industry experts involved in port infrastructure, warehousing, transportation, and shipping.

The forum served as a platform for the city leaders and businesses to exchange ideas and develop strategies for promoting the logistics industry.

The event was held as part of activities to implement the National Assembly Resolution on the organization of urban administration and pilot implementation of special mechanisms and policies for the development of Da Nang City.

The Resolution aims to attract strategic investors, establish the Da Nang Free Trade Zone, reclaim land for logistics infrastructure development, advance semiconductor technology and artificial intelligence, and invest in and manage scientific and technological infrastructure.

Addressing the event, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Tran Chi Cuong said logistics was one of the important service sectors in the overall structure of the national economy. In addition to its favorable geographical and economic position, Da Nang boasted great advantages in terms of high-quality human resources, synchronously developed infrastructure, and inter-regional and regional transportation systems.

The city is one of the few localities to have both international seaports and airports, and is located on the country's main roads. All help the city to be more favorable in economic, investment, trade, services and tourism development, he said.

Under the National Assembly Resolution, the Da Nang Free Trade Zone will be established as an integrated urban business complex which includes many functional areas (production areas, logistics centers, trade - service areas and other types of functional areas according to the provisions of law) so as to maximize the development advantages of the city, he said.

In particular, this specific policy is also associated with the future development roadmap of Lien Chieu seaport and Da Nang international airport. This creates a favorable condition for Da Nang to become a regional and international freight transit center, contributing to strongly attracting domestic and foreign investment capital flows into the city and the Central Key Economic Zone.

The city is determined to accelerate the investment process of key projects such as Lien Chieu Port, a logistics center at Da Nang International Airport, and dry ports, according to Mr. Cuong.

Da Nang has identified 10 potential locations for the Free Trade Zone, spanning nearly 1,500 ha. These strategically located sites, situated near transportation hubs, are ideal for establishing functional zones, including manufacturing zones, logistics centers, commercial and service zones, and other designated areas.