Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ha Quang Trung, Chairman of the Lai Chau Provincial People's Committee, highlighted the province's strategic location as an important gateway linking Viet Nam's northwestern provinces and the country's northern key economic regions with Southwest China.
To capitalise on this advantage, Lai Chau is prioritising investment in integrated inter-regional transport infrastructure while upgrading the Ma Lu Thang International Border Gate on the Vietnamese side to strengthen connectivity with the Jin Shui He border area in China.
Under the Lai Chau Provincial Master Plan for the 2021–2030 period with a vision to 2050, the province will pursue a development model centred on "one development corridor, two development zones, three economic pillars and four strategic breakthroughs." The Ma Lu Thang Border-Gate Economic Zone is envisioned as a major centre for trade, services and logistics connecting Viet Nam, ASEAN and Southwest China.
Lai Chau also reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating administrative reform. For priority investment projects financed by non-state capital, the province will implement a "Green Channel" mechanism to reduce administrative processing time by at least 70% compared with current regulations. The province will also apply preferential policies in agriculture, industry, trade and tourism while ensuring timely site clearance to facilitate project implementation.
During the conference, the provincial authorities presented key planning orientations, investment incentives and support policies, as well as a portfolio of priority investment projects. A business forum was also organised, bringing together domestic and international investors, enterprises and experts to exchange experience and discuss cooperation opportunities aligned with the province's long-term development strategy.
At the event, Lai Chau granted investment policy approval for 19 projects involving 18 enterprises, with a total registered investment of more than 27.7 trillion VND. The province also signed 19 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on investment cooperation with an estimated total value exceeding 172 trillion VND across sectors including energy, high-tech agriculture, mineral processing, infrastructure, culture and tourism—industries identified as key growth drivers for the coming years.
Addressing the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, praised the provincial Party Committee and authorities for their proactive approach, determination and innovative thinking in organising the investment promotion conference in Ha Noi, particularly their pioneering efforts to improve the business environment and streamline administrative procedures.
The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that, to seize emerging opportunities, create new growth drivers and transform Lai Chau into a more attractive destination for investors, the province must continue to make substantial improvements to its investment and business environment. This includes accompanying enterprises throughout the entire investment process, from site clearance to project implementation, and further simplifying administrative procedures to provide the most favourable conditions for investors.
She also urged the province to expedite the completion of detailed zoning plans, develop a highly skilled workforce capable of meeting future investment demand, and strengthen coordination with central ministries and agencies to accelerate strategic infrastructure projects. Priority should be given to developing an integrated, modern transport network, particularly the Bao Ha–Lai Chau Expressway and the Hoang Lien pass road tunnel project.
The Deputy Prime Minister further called on central ministries and government agencies to regard Lai Chau's development as a shared national responsibility by working closely with the province to remove institutional bottlenecks, mobilise additional Official Development Assistance (ODA) resources, and introduce strategic investors committed to supporting the province's vision of rapid, green and sustainable development.
She also urged businesses and investors to honour their commitments, emphasising the principle that "commitments must be translated into action." Investors were encouraged to work alongside local authorities to create new value, share development benefits and contribute to improving livelihoods for the ethnic communities of Lai Chau Province.
