Highway 19 improves transport speed, opportunities in Central region

 Started in early 2013, Highway 19, measuring 56.7 km in length,  is estimated to have received more than US$89 million in BOT investment. It’s an arterial road connecting Vietnam’s Central region and the Central Highlands with Laos, Cambodia and Thailand along the East-West Economic Corridor.

"Before, it took me 5 to 6 hours to go from Gia Lai to Quy Nhon. Now that the Highway is open, it takes only 3 to 4 hours", Nguyen Tuan Kiet, Driver, Binh Dinh Province.

In 2015 alone, total export turnover of the Central Highlands reached US$1.8 billion, Gia Lai Province taking the lead with US$300 million. Most agriculture and forest products from Gia Lai Province will be transported through Highway 19 to Quy Nhon Port in Binh Dinh Province for export. This highway will contribute greatly to the regional economy and the strengthening of national defence and security.

Reports from the Ministry of Transport show that Vietnam needs to invest US$70 to 80 million more into infrastructure in the next 5 years. As the state budget is unlikely to satisfy this requirement, raising capital from the private sector through public-private partnerships is considered an effective solution to reduce pressure on the public sector.