On the afternoon of April 1, a thematic discussion session titled “Challenges in data collection and policy shaping for the development of Da Nang Free Trade Zone (FTZ)” took place at the University of Economics, the University of Danang (UD). The discussion session was part of the International Scientific Conference on Traffic Survey Methods (ISCTSC) - a forum attracting the participation of experts, scientists, and practitioners in the field of transportation, aiming to enhance survey quality, support planning, and develop transport policies.

The session focused on advising the city of Da Nang on data collection and management policies, especially transportation data, contributing to the effective planning and operation of the Da Nang Free Trade Zone. The event gathered hundreds of experts, scientists, and researchers from both domestic and international backgrounds.

At the beginning of the session, participants watched an introductory video about the Da Nang FTZ, highlighting its development potential and strategic advantages. The video particularly emphasized the investment and economic cooperation opportunities the zone offers. 

It also underlined Da Nang’s role in promoting international trade, attracting domestic and foreign enterprises, and creating a favorable business environment through preferential policies and modern infrastructure.

Chairing the session, Professor Tobias Kuhnimhof from RWTH Aachen University (Germany) shared international experiences in planning free trade zones (FTZs) and the crucial role of data in building sustainable development strategies. The session then continued with exchanges and analyses on the Da Nang FTZ project from strategic, legal, infrastructure, and performance indicator (KPIs) perspectives.

During the open discussion, experts focused on key topics such as the role of data in policymaking; the impact of data shortages on FTZ planning and regional transportation; and solutions for developing effective data collection methods from the early stages to support the operation and sustainable development of the Da Nang FTZ.

The thematic discussion session under the framework of the ISCTSC2025 Conference at the University of Economics, UD was an important opportunity for experts, scientists, and administrators to exchange ideas and provide strategic directions for the collection and application of transport data. The event not only contributed to the development of the Da Nang FTZ but also laid the groundwork for national and international research on traffic survey methods.

                                                                                                                                                                UD Media

                                                                                                                                                                Source: UD-DUE