Quang Ninh speeds up implementation of key projects   Illustrative image (Photo:VNA) The northern province of Quang Ninh is expediting a number of key projects to create breakthroughs in the investment climate and socio-economic development. The construction of the Bach Dang bridge and its connecting road is an example of such projects. Carried out under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) form and with a total investment of over 7.6 trillion VND (342 million USD), the bridge is one of the two main components of the Ha Long – Hai Phong highway project. The bridge will be over three kilometres long and 25 metres wide with four lanes allowing vehicles to travel at a maximum speed of up to 100 kilometres per hour. Once completed, it will contribute to completing a route connecting the key northern economic triangle, Hanoi – Hai Phong – Quang Ninh. It is expected to reduce the distance from Quang Ninh to Hanoi from 180 kilometres to 130 kilometres, and shorten the travel time from 3.5 hours to 1.5 hours. Meanwhile, the distance from Ha Long to Hai Phong will be reduced to 25 kilometres from 75 kilometres. Defining the bridge as an especially crucial project, the Ministry of Transports decided to establish a steering committee for the implementation of the project with active engagement from both localities. Once completed, the Ha Long – Hai Phong highway will open up opportunities for investors and businesses to promote trade activities at border gates. Quang Ninh has also been accelerating the Ha Long – Van Don expressway and upgrading the Ha Long – Mong Duong section of National Highway 18 with a total investment of nearly 14 trillion VND (630 million USD) since September this year. Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Long said the projects help build and complete the infrastructure network of the province and shorten travel time from Hanoi to Ha Long city and the Van Don special economic zone. They also help promote socio-economic affairs in Quang Ninh and the northern key economic region in general. The construction of Van Don airport in Doan Ket commune, Van Don district worth nearly 7.5 trillion VND (337.5 million USD) is set to be commenced shortly. The project will have one runway and a parking area for at least four Boeing 777 and Airbus 321 planes. The terminal is designed for two million passengers and 10,000 tonnes of cargo per year. Quang Ninh ranked fourth out of the seven provinces with outstanding economic management quality in the country in 2013, and ranked first in the field in the Red River delta last year, thanks to implementing strategic breakthroughs including administrative reform, human resources development and infrastructure construction. The decisive factor has been local efforts to improve the investment environment. Additionally, the province has put forth a number of policies to facilitate investment and overcome business difficulties. In 2015, the province has welcomed a number of major projects worth trillions of VND from both domestic and foreign businesses such as the Vincom Centre Ha Long and Vinpearl Ha Long invested by Vingroup, Ha Long ocean park by Sun Group, and Ha Long star tourism urban and entertainment complex Casino by real estate developer Nakheel from the United Arab Emirates.-VNA