Controversial land exchangeFrom 2015-2017, HCMC mobilized about VND20.4 trillion from the private sector for BT infrastructure development projects. Completed BT projects in the city include Phu My Bridge, Saigon 2 Bridge, Hanoi Highway, Pham Van Dong Road, and the Tham Luong- Ben Cat Canal wastewater treatment plant.However, some assessments indicate that the BT investment mode exposed a number of problems, as it is based on exchange of land for infrastructure that remains controversial and vague.In addition, the Ministry of Finance points out that BT project implementation is governed by six different laws, burdening both investors and state management.Dr. Huynh The Du, a lecturer on public policy and Academic Director of the Fulbright Economics Teaching Program, Vietnam, brings up another point: although it is risky, exploiting land value is still the best way for HCMC to raise capital for infrastructure development. Referring to BT project implementation, he said land is usually … [Read more...] about HCMC seeks transparent land-infrastructure exchange
Infrastructure
Bangkok airport infrastructure fails to meet traffic demand
Passengers in long queues in Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport. (Photo: AFP/VNA)Bangkok (VNA) – Airport infrastructure in the capital city of Bangkok,Thailand has failed to expand fast enough to cope with increasing trafficdemand, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).Bangkok isamong eight cities outlined by the IATA for aviation infrastructure deficiency.The city’stwo main airports, Suvarnabhumi and DonMueang, are facing serious congestion, the same problems confronted by citiesworldwide like Sydney (Australia), Manila (the Philippines), Jakarta(Indonesia), Mumbai (India), Mexico City (Mexico), New York (the US), and SaoPaulo (Brazil).Statisticsby the Airports of Thailand showed that Suvarnabhumi Airport received a totalof 59.1 million passengers in the first nine months of 2017, a year-on-yearincrease of 6.5 percent, while its designed capacity is only 45 millionpassengers a year.About 37.2million passengers were crammed into Don Mueang Airport in … [Read more...] about Bangkok airport infrastructure fails to meet traffic demand
London firms keen on infrastructure projects
London firms keen on infrastructure projects Le Hoang By Le Hoang - The Saigon Times Daily HCMC – Alderman Fiona Woolf, Lord Mayor of the City of London, said companies from London are interested in transport infrastructure and healthcare projects in HCMC. Woolf was speaking at a meeting with HCMC chairman Le Hoang Quan on Monday as part of her visit to Vietnam from October 5 to 7. The visit is aimed to boost trade and economic ties between Vietnam and the UK. London’s enterprises are looking for opportunities in road projects and the development of Thu Thiem New Urban Area in District 2. Of the infrastructure developments, they have paid much attention to the city’s subway projects, Woolf said. The UK and London have experiences in metro construction. Around 92% of Londoners use public transport, so UK firms can give consulting to transport projects in the city. Notably, companies from London are interested in Metro Line No. 5 in the city, she added. London … [Read more...] about London firms keen on infrastructure projects
City seeks funds for traffic infrastructure via bond issue
City seeks funds for traffic infrastructure via bond issue By Van Nam - The Saigon Times Daily HCMC – HCMC will issue municipal bonds to raise funds for infrastructure projects, in which traffic infrastructure alone demands some US$39 billion from now to 2020, said the city’s top leader. “Reality shows that urban infrastructure in HCMC is now asynchronous, full of shortcomings, hindering economic growth and living standard improvement,” said HCMC’s Party Secretary Le Thanh Hai at the 10th meeting of the city’s Party Committee that wrapped up on Wednesday. Capital is the key factor in urban infrastructure development, Hai stated, whereas the State budget allocations are insufficient. Therefore, in the coming time, HCMC will form a research group, asking for the Government’s permission to mobilize capital under the formats of BOT, BT and PPP, which the city has been piloting over the past time. In addition, the city will issue urban bonds via … [Read more...] about City seeks funds for traffic infrastructure via bond issue
Logistics infrastructure insufficient for retail sector
Logistics infrastructure insufficient for retail sector By Thu Nguyet -The Saigon Times Daily HCMC - Vietnam's retail industry is forecast to post stronger growth but it is facing challenges as inadequate infrastructure is obstructing the flow of goods from retail sites to the customer. The report says the industry is set for double-digit growth. The modern distribution system is seen making up 40% or 60% of the marketplace by 2010 and 2020 respectively. Many foreign retailers and distributors have also unveiled plans to expand operations or enter Vietnam, including Carrefour and Wal-Mart. A convenience stores system is expected to develop strongly. Sectors such as food, beverage and fashion may achieve the highest annual growth in the retail industry. Mega Lifesciences Pty Ltd, a Thai medicine and functional food distributor, came to Vietnam since the early 1900s and saw 15% annual growth. The company, however, found challenges in Vietnam's improved but insufficient … [Read more...] about Logistics infrastructure insufficient for retail sector