Transport sector must prioritise key projects

The Ministry of Transport (MoT) should give priority in capital to key works and projects that may be completed in 2011, said Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai.

At the ministry’s meeting to review the 2010 work and discuss the implementation of this year’s tasks and plans in Hanoi on February 14, Deputy PM Hai stressed that seeking capital sources for transport projects was now very difficult.

Therefore, one of the top priorities is to stimulate all economic sectors to get involved in transport projects through such models as build-operate-transfer (BOT), build-transfer (BT) and public-private partnership (PPP), he said.

The Deputy PM asked the MoT to take advantage of capital sources from foreign organisations, including the International Climate Change Prevention Fund.

According to MoT Deputy Minister Ngo Thinh Duc, in 2011, the first year of the five-year socio-economic development plan (2011-2015), the ministry strives to increase goods transport by 8-10 per cent and passenger transport by 9-10 per cent, as well as reduce the number of casualties by traffic accidents by at least 3 per cent.

The ministry plans to build and upgrade over 800 kilometres of roads and construct 10 kilometres of bridges, he said, adding that it would try to complete and hand over more than 10 large projects.

To reach these targets, the MoT will ensure sufficient capital for projects that may be completed this year as well as those which are essential for transport safety, Duc said.

The ministry will also speed up the issuance of technical standards in traffic work infrastructure construction as well as improve consultancy work and project management, he added. – VNA

Tags: Vietnam Transport sector