Mekong Delta: Many industrial zones built, but others left idle
Many industrial zones (IZs) have been built in the Mekong Delta and more will be built in accordance with approved plans, but some IZs have been left idle.
However, only 3,688 hectares are occupied, while the remaining 11,099 hectares are idle. Meanwhile, all the IZs and EPZs are designed to be located close to the Tien and Hau Rivers, while large areas of orchards and fertile soil for rice fields will be cleared to make room for the IZs and EPZs.
According to Nguyen Van Hong, director of the Can Tho City Planning and Investment, the average land rent in the IZs in Can Tho City is high, at US$80 per square meter at least.
The level is higher than that offered by IZs in neighboring provinces, at US$40 per square metre.
Meanwhile, enterprises have to pay an additional sum of US$10 per ton to carry goods from Can Tho to Ho Chi Minh City before shipping goods abroad.
Deputy director of VCCI Can Tho Nguyen Phuong Lam pointed out that the IZ density in Mekong Delta is high with 78 IZs and EPZs in 13 cities and provinces. He believes that the existence of too many IZs is a big waste of the land fund.