In 2021, Mekong Development Research Institute (MDRI) was honored to be chosen by the People’s Committee of Quang Ngai province as one of the five consulting organizations in charge of the planning project for the province for 2021-2030 period, vision to 2050. This is a crucial, large-scale project with the goal of making a comprehensive assessment of Quang Ngai’s economic and political merits; the impacts that external conditions and international backgrounds exert upon the province’s development; the opportunities to connect the province with the Central key economic region, the South Central Coast, the Central Highlands, and beyond; the capacity to utilize the trade agreements which Vietnam has entered into; the development foundation to capitalize on the promises of the fourth industrial revolution. At the same time, the purpose of the planning is to promote developments among the dynamic economic zones; to take advantage of the province’s main economic corridor along the vital traffic routes, as well as to foster the connections between the flat plain, the mountainous and the island areas, appropriate to the province’s capability and resources.
On November 9th, 2021, MDRI and collaborating organizations attended the meeting with the People’s Committee of Quang Ngai and various local departments, led by the Committee’s chairman Dang Van Minh discussing and directing the process of the planning initiative for 2021-2030, vision to 2050. The meeting was conducted in teleconference format, with two locations being the headquarter of the People’s Committee of Quang Ngai and Paris (France), where some of the international experts are based.
At the meeting, the consulting organizations informed the People’s Committee of the planning progress, some initial ideas, key observations and orientation for the province’s economic development efforts, and listened to the People’s Committee’s opinions on next steps of the planning process.
MDRI experts and collaborating organizations remarked the needs to identify main challenges of the planning process, which include the diverse, efficient utilization of local resources, the fostering of social equity, the strengthening of the land’s resilience before extreme weather and climate change, and the conservation of existing heritages and thus prepare resolutions accordingly.
The planning experts identified three strategic visions for the province in the upcoming years. The first vision emphasized on the use of existing local advantages, which is geared towards sustainable, equitable developments. The second posited that Quang Ngai is a promising destination, with its specialized placement within the Central region’s economic axis, and has great potentials to connect with the city of Danang, the provinces of Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam, and Binh Dinh, in order to become an economic center. Finally, the third vision asserted that Quang Ngai (in combination with Quang Nam) should maximize their specific strengths in terms of sea logistics, maritime economy, and their strategic location within the East-West economic axis, and work towards becoming an international economic hub.
Regarding the approach, the experts recognized the need for a comprehensive, collaborative land-use planning that incorporates a diverse selection of perspectives, so as to optimize effectiveness in the future execution of the plan.
After hearing the suggestions put forth by the consulting organizations and the relevant departments, the Chairman of the People’s Committee Dang Van Minh acknowledged and accredited the efforts of the local administrative bodies and professional organizations, especially the organizing role of the Department of Planning and Investment in the process of setting up this planning project for the 2021-2030 period, vision to 2050.