The event aimed to assess the role and position as well as identify opportunities, challenges and propose solutions for economic and trade development in the Northern key economic region.
The northern key economic region consists of seven provinces and cities including Hanoi, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Hung Yen, Hai Duong, Bac Ninh and Vinh Phuc.
The region has advantages over other regions in the country to develop, especially in terms of infrastructure and human resources. It is the second biggest economic region nationwide and the only region where all localities contribute to the central budget.
However, shortcomings have remained in the region such as unsustainable growth of the service sector, small-scale agricultural production with out-of-date cultivation techniques and processing technology; weak connections in production and business; and environmental pollution in urban and rural areas, river basins, trade villages, and industrial clusters.
Participants at the workshop also proposed key measures to develop the region with a focus on the development of transport networks, industrial parks, clean water supply, waste treatment, housing and environmental protection.
