Chairing the working session

Chairing the meeting were Mr. Pham Hoang Mai, Head of the Department of Foreign Economic Relations at the Ministry of Planning and Investment; Mr. Ron H.Slangen, ADB's Deputy Country Director in Vietnam; and Mr. Tomoaki Kawabata, a senior transportation expert from ADB.

Representatives from Tra Vinh province, including Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Trung Hoang and leaders of relevant departments and agencies, engaged with the delegation. Also present were leaders from the Departments of Planning and Investment, Transport, and the Management Board of Investment and Construction Projects of Transport Works in Tien Giang, Soc Trang, Dong Thap, Kien Giang, and Bac Lieu provinces.

Mr. Pham Hoang Mai, Head of the Department of Foreign Economic Relations at the Ministry of Planning and Investment, stated that Tra Vinh was the first locality to have its project proposal approved. To expedite the subsequent steps, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, along with ADB, will conduct on-site surveys and hold discussions to contribute ideas to the province in developing a pre-feasibility study report.

The meeting also aimed to share Tra Vinh province's experiences in finalizing project proposals, review and specifically identify outstanding issues in Tien Giang, Soc Trang, Dong Thap, Kien Giang, and Bac Lieu provinces to promptly complete project proposals, and provide guidance on disseminating processes, procedures, standard requirements, and conditions of both Vietnam and ADB for pre-feasibility and feasibility study reports, and the subsequent project approval steps.

Mr. Pham Hoang Mai, Head of the Department of Foreign Economic Relations - Ministry of Planning and Investment, instructing on necessary contents when implementing the project proposal

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Trung Hoang informed that on February 7, 2024, the Prime Minister approved the project proposal to construct the coastal corridor in Tra Vinh province, with ADB financing, as per Decision No. 168/QD-TTg.

Following this, Tra Vinh proactively engaged in discussions with ADB regarding relevant contents for the preparation of pre-feasibility study reports. Simultaneously, they sent the draft Terms of Reference for survey consulting services and prepared a pre-feasibility study report for ADB's input and concurrence with these Terms of Reference. This laid the groundwork for the investor to engage contractors to provide consulting services, meeting both ADB's requirements and the regulations of the Vietnamese Government. Consequently, ADB provided feedback on the draft.

Currently, the province is evaluating tasks and survey estimates to prepare a pre-feasibility study report, as well as collecting data and conducting specific surveys of the route. Tra Vinh has also established a Project Implementation Steering Committee to oversee crucial tasks resolution and timely problem-solving.

Vice Chairman of Tra Vinh Provincial People's Committee added that the Provincial People's Committee has directed the relevant departments and branches to prepare the necessary conditions to work with the ADB Consultation Delegation. Tra Vinh Provincial People's Committee commits to closely coordinate with the Ministry of Planning and Investment and ADB to provide information and explain recommendations to promptly submit and approve pre-feasibility and feasibility study reports, leading to the signing of an agreement with ADB.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Trung Hoang providing updates on the progress of Tra Vinh province's project implementation

During the meeting, ADB experts shared insights and contributed some opinions to Tra Vinh province regarding the progress of pre-feasibility studies, ADB requirements for pre-feasibility study reports, and the level of participation of stakeholders.

ADB Deputy Country Director in Vietnam, Mr. Ron H.Slangen, providing preliminary information about the field survey in Tra Vinh and contributing opinions to the province

Director of the Department of Planning and Investment of Dong Thap province, Mr. Truong Hoa Chau, reporting on the progress and current challenges in implementing the project proposal

ADB Deputy Country Director in Vietnam, Mr. Ron H.Slangen, provided preliminary information about the field survey in Tra Vinh and contributed opinions to the province. Representatives from Tien Giang, Soc Trang, Dong Thap, Kien Giang, and Bac Lieu provinces provided updates on the progress and current challenges, aiming to discuss and propose measures to overcome difficulties and expedite project approval.

Overview of the working session

The project to construct a coastal corridor in Tra Vinh province spans approximately 60.7km. It has a total investment capital of over 9,180 billion VND, with over 6,710 billion VND in ADB loan capital and over 2,470 billion VND from the provincial budget.

According to the province's expected timeline, the project will conduct a pre-feasibility study from March to October 2024, feasibility study from November 2024 to April 2025, and negotiation and agreement signing from May 5 to July 2025.

Phuong An

Hoang Khiem (translator)