DECIDES:

Article 1.- To ratify the "master plan for development of Vietnam river communication and transport till the year 2020" with the following major contents:

1. The master plan�s objectives:

a/ The master plan for development of river communication and transport till the year 2020 serves as basis for investment in the rational and uniform construction and development of river communication networks throughout the country, with sizes suited to separate territorial regions, thus formulating inter-linked river-way infrastructure and service centers, creating conditions for exploitation of the existing potentials and development of the capacity of the river communication and transport branch.

To step by step develop Vietnam river communication and transport in a synchronous and modern manner in terms of channels and lines, ports, transport, loading and unloading facilities so as to satisfy the goods and passenger transport demands with higher and higher quality, reasonable prices, quickness and safety.

b/ To meet the demands of industrialization and modernization of river communication and transport on the basis of bringing into full play the internal resources and centralized investment with all capital sources, for sustainable development, enhancing the managerial system�s capacity, expanding the services provision, ensuring the traffic safety, promoting and raising the existing economic and technical advantages of the branch.

2. Contents and scope of the main factors of the master plan

a/ The river communication and transport represents 25-30% in terms of tonnage and Tkm, 10-15% in terms of passengers and passengers/km, of the total transport volume of the entire communication and transport branch.

b/ Strongly developing a flotilla of river ships along the direction of diversification with rational structure, paying attention to the development of self-propelled ships, container ships, express passenger ships� Applying advanced technologies to river transport and ship building so as to raise the transport means� speed to 10-12 km/h for tug-boats and 20 km/h for self-propelled ships.

c/ Building major regional ports with the following groups: Ninh Binh- Ninh Phuc port group, Hanoi- Khuyen Luong port group, Ho Chi Minh City port group, Viet Tri port, Hoa Binh port, Da Phuc port, Cao Lanh port, Long Xuyen port, Vinh Long port and Ca Mau port. Step by step equipping the ports with modern loading and unloading means so that they are capable of handling goods for the region and combined-river, land and railway transportation. The estimated capacities of the port groups and regional major ports are stated in Appendix 1 enclosed herewith.

d/ Building in each province (mainly in the South) one port or berth with suitable loading and unloading facilities in service of the goods gathering.

e/ Concentrating on the upgrading and improvement of the major channels and lines with attention paid to the gradation of the following lines:

+ Lines meeting grade 1 standards: Cua Day- Ninh Binh, Lach Giang- Hanoi, Tien and Hau rivers;

+ Lines meeting grade 2 standards: From Viet Tri, Hanoi, Ninh Binh to Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, across Duong and Luoc rivers;

+ Lines meeting grade 3 standards: From Ho Chi Minh City to Ca Mau (across Xa No canal), to Kien Luong (across Rach Gia canal and Thap Muoi canal of Long Xuyen quadrangle);

+ For the other lines, natural conditions shall be made into full use of in combination with the improvement of channels so that they meet the standards of grade 3- or 4- river lines.

f/ Modernizing the waterway signal systems in compatibility with the regional and international standards.

g/ Investing in infrastructure construction for river ship building and repairing, as well as for piloting, port authorities and salvage in the northern and southern delta regions.

Article 2.- Regarding the investment to meet the development demand under the ratified master plan

a/ The Ministry of Communications and Transport shall submit to the Prime Minister every specific medium- or long-term project together with the proposals on the creation of investment sources, policies on capital mobilization and use for each project and other sources to satisfy the demands of industrialization and modernization, thus ensuring the sustainable growth and development of Vietnam river communication and transport sector.

b/ The capital amount needed for the priority projects to the year 2005 is 2,239 billion VND (domestic capital: 830 billion VND and foreign capital: 1,409 billion VND). Details are included in Appendix 2 enclosed herewith.

Article 3.- Management and organization of implementation of the master plan

a/ The Ministry of Communications and Transport shall be answerable to the Prime Minister for the management and organization of implementation of the master plan for development of Vietnam river communication and transport till the year 2020, and perform the following tasks:

- Ratifying the river communication and transport development plan of each region in line with the already ratified master plan;

- Submitting to the Prime Minister for ratification adjustments or supplements to the master plan after consulting the ministries, branches and localities;

- Submitting to the Prime Minister for decision or deciding investment in specific projects in conformity with the ratified master plan according to the current regulations on investment and construction management;

- Assuming the prime responsibility in studying and elaborating mechanisms and policies to create capital sources for development investment in infrastructure, freighters� fleet, loading and unloading facilities as well as to raise the managerial capability of the river communication and transport sector, then submitting them to the Government for approval;

- Coordinating with functional agencies and concerned localities in proposing plans on the use and strict management of land fund and water surface according to the current law provisions in order to meet the requirements of port system and infrastructure development, and raise the river transport sector�s capacity according to the ratified master plan.

b/ The Vietnam Inland Waterway Bureau shall have to manage and exploit river-way infrastructure projects and services according to the ratified plan and current law provisions.

Article 4.- This Decision takes effect 15 days after its promulgation.

Article 5.- The Minister of Communications and Transport, the Minister of Planning and Investment, the other ministers, the heads of the ministerial-level agencies, the heads of the agencies attached to the Government, the Head of the Vietnam Inland Waterway Bureau and the presidents of the People�s Committees of the concerned provinces and centrally-run cities shall have to implement this Decision.

Prime Minister