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Da Nang's new chairman, Nguyen Manh Hung, chairman of the City People's Committee, chaired a meeting with the Department of Industry and Trade and issued the initial directives concerning the free trade zone. On the morning of April 16, Mr. Nguyen Manh Hung, the chairman of Da Nang City People's Committee, chaired a working session with the Department of Industry and Trade to discuss the tasks managed by the department. Report on the Da Nang Free Trade Zone (FTZ) states that Ms. Le Thi Kim Phuong, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, affirmed that the policy for Da Nang FTZ is the most favorable in the country. In addition to the seven locations already selected, the department is leading the drafting of an expanded FTZ plan, prioritizing the southern part of the city. The department is working to identify locations in May and to propose expanding the FTZ within the Chu Lai open economic zone to about 3,000 hectares. Ms. Phuong also urged city leaders to direct relevant agencies and localities to accelerate land clearance for the seven current locations and for future expansion sites to create clean land to attract investors. When asked by the Da Nang chairman whether the seven locations, given the city's new size after the merger, are appropriate, Ms Phuong said they are appropriate because all locations are near Liên Chiểu Port. Resolutions 136 and 259 of the National Assembly allow Da Nang to select an investor to implement the FTZ in the form: if only one investor submits a dossier, that investor will be chosen; if multiple investors apply, the city will select based on specific criteria. Mr. Nguyen Manh Hung noted that the seven FTZ sites were chosen when it was still the old city; now it is the new city. Therefore, Mr. Hung suggested that the departments review and re-examine the sites. The aim is to push toward Chu Lai, because in the future road, rail, and maritime connections will be very convenient, with inland waterways along the Truong Giang River. Mr. Nguyen Manh Hung concluded by directing the vice-chairman of the city to work with relevant departments to set criteria and select an expansion site for the FTZ. The final selection results must be reported to the city chairman by April 30 to report to the Standing Committee and the City’s Party Committee for a decision, so the Construction Department can update the plan. Tan Viet
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