Photo: VGP

The Government chief made the request while inspecting the construction site of the project in Cai Hai District of the Northern city of Hai Phong on Thursday.

The project is estimated to cost VND27 trillion (US$1.6 billion) for infrastructure development and berth construction.

As planned, seaport will serve as an international gate seaport and a large transit port for the whole of northern Vietnam.

It is designed to accommodate vessels of between 60,000 and 80,000 TEUs (twenty-foot-equivalent units) and have annual cargo throughput of between 50 and 60 million tons when in full performance.

At his working session with the city's leaders on the same day, PM Dung tasked the city to closely coordinate with ministries and agencies to accelerate the implementation of key projects, including Hanoi-Hai Phong Highway and Lach Huyen international seaport.

In the first six months of 2012, the city's economy expanded 6.81% and the foreign direct investment inflow stood at US$952 million, reported Chairman of the Municipal People's Committee Duong Anh Dien.

This year, the city gives high priority to beefing up administrative reforms, business assistance, and foreign direct investment attraction, particularly from Japan and the Republic of Korea, he said./.

By Huong Giang