On 23/7, Can Tho city leaders met with businesses and investors to address obstacles hindering their operations.

At the meeting, a representative from Vinataba - Philip Morris, located in Cai Rang ward, explained that the joint venture between Vietnam National Tobacco Corporation and Philip Morris International began in 2010. In 2014, the company proposed a 20,000 m2 production expansion project, which was approved by the Can Tho People's Committee.

A Vinataba - Philip Morris representative raises project concerns at the meeting on 23/7. Photo: An Binh

A Vinataba - Philip Morris representative raises project concerns at the meeting on 23/7. Photo: An Binh

Two years later, the company reported completing compensation and site clearance, costing over 18.3 billion VND. However, the project has since faced numerous procedural hurdles, including adjustments to the investment registration certificate, land-lease procedures for the expanded area, and updates to land-use plans.

In mid-2023, the Can Tho People's Committee adjusted the land-use plan. The Department of Natural Resources and Environment (now the Department of Agriculture and Environment) documented the project's updated location within Cai Rang district's land-use plan.

"However, in March, the Department of Agriculture and Environment stated that the company's production expansion did not meet regulations, preventing land lease," the company representative said, requesting local support to resolve these issues and allow the project to proceed.

Ha Vu Son, Director of Can Tho City's Department of Industry and Trade, explained that the former Can Tho People's Committee tasked the Cai Rang District People's Committee with guiding the company through the procedures. However, there was an oversight in not involving the District People's Council in the land acquisition process.

According to Son, in April, a city People's Committee leader reassigned the task to the district for adjustments in accordance with the 2024 Land Law. After the merger, Cai Rang ward will continue this process, collaborating with the Department of Agriculture and Environment to resolve the company's issues.

Vinataba - Philip Morris contributes 500 to 600 billion VND annually to the city's budget, Son added.

Besides Vinataba - Philip Morris, Trung An company also reported lengthy procedural delays for its waste-to-energy plant in Can Tho. Exporters of low-emission, high-quality rice requested prompt project approvals from authorities to facilitate collaboration with farmers and access investment capital.

A social housing developer expressed difficulty accessing the 120,000 billion VND bank loan package. Con Son Tourism Cooperative, located on the Hau River, reported operating for years without a pier for tourists due to land-lease and water-surface area procedures.

Can Tho Party Secretary Do Thanh Binh speaks with businesses at the meeting on 23/7. Photo: An Binh

Do Thanh Binh, Can Tho Party Secretary, acknowledged that businesses might face more difficulties than those voiced at the meeting. He encouraged businesses, investors, and citizens to provide open feedback for the city's improvement and collaboration.

Binh directed relevant agencies and local authorities to immediately address Vinataba - Philip Morris's project issues, ensuring the matter is resolved before the next meeting. He also ordered urgent review of the waste-to-energy plant project, reassessment and supplementation of Con Son's tourism development plan, resolution of the clean water shortage, and development of anti-erosion measures for residents' livelihoods.

Binh urged banks to facilitate better access to capital for businesses and individuals.

"In the long term, we will hire international consultants to replan Can Tho City for modern development, befitting its role as a central urban area and driving force for the Mekong Delta's growth," Binh stated, committing to creating optimal conditions for investors, businesses, and citizens.

After merging with Hau Giang and Soc Trang provinces, the new centrally-administered Can Tho city comprises 103 communes and wards, spanning over 6,360 km2. It ranks third in the Mekong Delta region and 19th nationwide in terms of area. The new city will have a population of nearly 4.2 million, an economy of nearly 282,000 billion VND, and over 18,000 businesses.

An Binh