QUẢNG NGÃI — The Dung Quất Economic Zone and Quảng Ngãi industrial parks have so far attracted 441 projects worth around US$19.4 billion, according to the Dung Quất Economic Zone and Quảng Ngãi Industrial Parks Authority (DEZA).

The DEZA now has 350 projects run by 293 companies, employing nearly 81,700 workers, while about 20,000 additional experts, engineers and workers are building mega projects, according to data presented at a workshop on August 14 marking the authority’s 30th anniversary.

Assoc Prof Dr Lưu Thế Anh from the Institute of Natural Resources and Environment under the Vietnam National University, Hà Nội, said aligning Dung Quất with green economy planning was essential to ensure sustainable development, reduce environmental pressure and use resources efficiently.

It also presented major opportunities to improve growth quality, burnish investment appeal, sharpen business competitiveness and build a green industrial brand for Quảng Ngãi.

Quảng Ngãi has all the conditions needed to develop green growth models based on ecological industry, circular economy, clean energy and green logistics, according to Anh. The Dung Quat EZ is the most important bedrock for local green transition.

The province already has a relatively developed industrial base spanning oil refining and petrochemicals, metallurgy, mechanical engineering, shipbuilding, energy and processing and manufacturing, plus ample potential for renewable energy.

Its strategic location and modern seaport infrastructure give it particular edges in green logistics and low-carbon supply chains.

To develop a green economy under DEZA planning through 2045, he urged Quảng Ngãi to complete mechanisms and policies that incentivise green investment, accelerate technological innovation, digital transformation and sci-tech, develop a quality workforce, invest in green and integrated infrastructure, drive international cooperation and raise green finance.

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Đỗ Tâm Hiển said environmental and carbon emission standards, energy transition, digital transformation and circular economy were becoming mandatory requirements for development.

Science, technology and innovation would no longer be merely supporting factors, but decisive drivers of competitiveness for countries, localities and businesses.

Hiển highlighted four issues that need attention, including development orientations, drivers, resources and implementation mechanisms.

According to DEZA head Lương Kim Sơn, economic and industrial zones in general, and the Dung Quất Economic Zone in particular, must shift their model from growth based on expanding land area to in-depth development founded on science, technology, innovation and comprehensive digital transformation.

Lý Đình Quân, general director of the Songhan Incubator and vice chairman of the National Startup and Innovation Advisory Council, suggested establishing the Dung Quất Economic Zone innovation centre with six key roles, including enhancing business capacity, incubating and accelerating industrial startups, connecting firms with research institutes and universities, transferring and commercialising technologies, driving international cooperation and connectivity, and building an innovation ecosystem. — VNA/VNS