Providing information at a press conference on December 20, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee Tran Chi Cuong said: The project to establish a Free Trade Zone (FTAZ) is seeking approval from the Central Government. Only when the Prime Minister approves will research be allowed to form a sea encroachment area. According to Mr. Cuong, whether or not (the sea encroachment project) can be formed is a difficult problem. Not in the 5-year pilot period but possibly in the period of 2035 - 2040, when all scientific and technical conditions are met.
So it is clear. Da Nang will be very careful when raising the issue of reclaiming the sea for economic development. In fact, localities and investors are very "cautious" about sea reclamation projects. Just the information about the proposed sea reclamation has "emerged" with conflicting opinions and objections. Because, sea reclamation requires large investment costs, long implementation time, environmental risks, complicated legal issues... Da Nang has the "old lesson" in the Crescent Moon project related to the big case of Vu "Nhom" that is still there. A large area of land, once expected to be a luxurious urban area, is now deserted, degraded, causing pain in public opinion.
Da Nang is facing a great opportunity to make a breakthrough with the project to build a new urban area, in which reclaiming the sea is considered an important solution to expand the development space. The new urban area is considered a strong "push", but to realize it, it needs a large enough space and synchronous infrastructure. Reclaiming the sea, therefore, is a solution that cannot be ignored.
However, reclaiming land to build a new economic zone is not just about expanding land area. This is a strategy for Da Nang to integrate more deeply into the global value chain, develop logistics, manufacturing, trade, high-end tourism services... as expected. Many countries and territories have succeeded with the reclaimed land model. Singapore, a small island nation, has "transformed" itself into a leading commercial center in the world thanks to its strong reclaimed land policy. Or Dubai, which has created artificial wonders thanks to reclaimed land, attracting tourists from all over the world.
But land reclamation is not a "magic wand". The negative environmental impacts cannot be underestimated. Sand dredging and landfilling can cause coastal erosion, affect the ecosystem, change the flow, cause flooding... as happened in the previous Crescent Moon project and the Cu De River End project - also in Da Nang. In addition, the issues of capital, technology, project management, investor capacity... All these factors require careful consideration and calculation.
In the KTMTD project, sea encroachment is not only a technical solution, but also a political, economic and social decision. Da Nang needs to have objective and multi-dimensional assessments, must consult experts, scientists, and especially must listen to the opinions of the people. It is necessary to be alert and careful, so as not to repeat the mistakes of the past... as affirmed by Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee Tran Chi Cuong before the press.
