Package CP1A is the largest in value and scope of work among five packages of Japan's official development assistance (ODA) programme under a loan scheme for the Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park Development Project.

The package is scheduled to be completed in 2018, covering major infrastructures such as roads, water supply systems, drainage pipelines, power supply, and telecommunication systems.

PM Dung said the project received great investments from the ODA of the Japanese Government, US$400 million, and a fund of $50 million from State budget.

The project's main aim is to contribute to the development of Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park quickly and more effectively, he said.

Dung noted that the construction of major infrastructures was expected to ignite the comprehensive development of Hoa Lac, turning this hi-tech park not only into a hub of science and technology but also into a city harmonising between industry, academia, and government collaboration.

The PM also thanked the Japanese Government, the largest ODA sponsor in Viet Nam, for the ODA fund of $27 billion that it provided over the past 20 years. Most of the fund was spent on developing socio-economic infrastructures.

He confirmed that Viet Nam would strive to cooperate with Japan and develop the strategic relationship between the two countries.

Dung observed that in this age of globalisation and international integration, the country needed to compete to develop quickly and sustainably. Two most important factors required to achieve this were high-quality manpower and modern and advanced technology.

The State and Party stressed that science and technology, as well as education and training, especially high-quality manpower training, should be given priority in national policies to push the industrialisation and modernisation of the country further.

The Prime Minister asked the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Management Board of the Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park to ensure the fast progress, quality, and safety of the project.

The ministry and management board should conduct researches and submit policy proposals to the State and Party to attract more investments in science and high technology at Hoa Lac High-tech Park.

Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park was founded in 1998 under PM Dung's decision aimed at researching, developing, and applying high technology, training high-technological manpower, and manufacturing as well as trading high-tech products.

Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park has a total area of more than 1,500ha spread across Ha Noi'sThachThat and QuocOai districts.

It was designed as a model of a smart city with different functional zones, including research and development zone, software parks, hi-tech industrial zone, education and training zone, and central and service area.

Until last month, more than 10,000 people have worked and studied in the high-park. The park's management board has issued investment certificates to 67 projects relating to software manufacturing and trading, information technology, biology, medicines, and electronics, as well as telecommunications.

So far, 33 out of 67 projects have become operational, 10 are under development, while others are completing procedures to start functioning.

Last year, the total import-export value of enterprises in the park reached $228 million, of which the export value was $133 million and import value was $95 million.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, ministers of Science and Technology, Construction, and Finance, Japanese Ambassador to Viet Nam Fukada Hiroshi, and Chief Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Viet Nam Mori Mutsuya also attended the groundbreaking ceremony.

VNS