Binh Duong province is surrounded by two great rivers of Dong Nai and Saigon. After many years of propaganda, the Ministry of Transport, Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee and Binh Duong province People's Committee cooperated to organize the groundbreaking ceremony of Saigon River renovation project in form of Build – Operate – Transfer (BOT).
A foresight
10 years ago, Mr. Ho Minh Phuong as Chairman of PPC actively promoted cooperation with HCM City to construct bridges over Saigon River, like: Ben Suc, Phu Cuong, Phu Long… These bridges has helped in creating the trade connection between the North – South. But the East - West river flow had not promoted its potentialities yet, because Binh Loi rail bridge obstructed the flow with a navigable height of under 3 meters. Mr. Ho Minh Phuong had a desire: “As long as Binh Loi bridge height is upgraded, waterway of Saigon River will be in crowds”.
Until now, provincial development planning was finished with impressive accents, such as: route along Saigon River from Lai Thieu to Dau Tieng to serve the river environment and as solid dikes protecting urban centers, industrial parks, orchards... Along this route, urban areas, ecotourism zones, orchards, logistic industrial complexes… have emerged.
Investors were waiting for the final obstacles on the river soon to be cleared. That was upgrading Binh Loi rail bridge.
A strategic transport route
Saigon River is 256km long, originates from Loc Ninh district, Binh Phuoc province through three provinces of Binh Phuoc, Binh Duong and Ho Chi Minh City before flowing into the sea. The river has been associated with tourism and historic sites, such as: Cu Chi Tunnels, Iron Triangle, Lai Thieu orchard ...; a strategic transport route in economic development, goods transporting from Central Highlands to industrial parks, ports and vice versa.
An Son port.
To promote this great potentiality, Ministry of Transport, Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee and Binh Duong province People's Committee organized the groundbreaking ceremony of the project upgrading Binh Loi rail bridge height by 8 meters, dredging, widening Saigon River flow from Binh Loi rail bridge to Ben Suc port (Dau Tieng district) with a total length of 71km. These two projects were invested by Ministry of Transport. Particularly, the project of dredging, widening Saigon River flow was executed in form of BOT project with a total investment of VND1,302 billion including VND156.3 billion from HCM City for clearance, resettlement, VND300 billion of interest-free loan and VND674 billion of commercial loan from Binh Duong province, and the remaining invested by GUD Company and STD Vietnam Company. The project was expected to finish in 2015.
Increasing competitive advantages of businesses
Saigon River flow through Binh Duong province was planned to construct port and container clusters, such as: An Son port, An Tay port, Ben Suc port… Currently, An Son port is invested by Thanh Le Corporation. Roads into the port were built with 4 lanes and linked to Highway 13 and My Phuoc - Tan Van route.
According to Mr. Huynh Xuan Phuong, Deputy General Director of Thanh Le Corporation, about 30 hectares An Son port and warehouses, containers were finished and met standards of a general waterway port allowing ship with capacity of 2,200 tons to enter. General Department of Customs also approved to establish a branch at this port to facilitate goods import and export. An Son port is expected to be open in 2016 in order to strengthen competitive advantages of businesses, due to cost and time saving, transportation convenience, and reduce pressure on the road system.
Reported by T.Thao – Translated by Ngoc Huynh
