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Provincial Chairman Vu Hoang Ha |
Vietnam Economic News' Phuong Hong spoke with Vu Hoang Ha, a member of the Central Party Committee and Chairman of the Binh Dinh Province People's Committee about the changes that have taken place in Binh Dinh.
During this multi-decade renovation process, Binh Dinh province has gone through dramatic socioeconomic development changes. The provincial economy is moving towards industry and services, infrastructure is improving and industrial zones are being completed. Binh Dinh governmental policies are meant to improve the local investment climate and speed up administrative reform.
What's going on in Binh Dinh?
Well, many goods have gotten more expensive. Higher prices, including that of fuel, along with adverse weather conditions have seriously hurt production and affected people's lives.
With assistance from the Government, sectors and authorities at different levels, Binh Dinh surmounted difficulties and obtained encouraging achievements. The province did reach its socioeconomic targets in 2007. Last year, GDP (gross domestic product) growth in Binh Dinh was 12.5 percent, more than it's been for five years. Industrial production, in value, was 30 percent more than it was in 2006. Binh Dinh exported goods worth US$316 million, an increase of 29.6 percent over 2006, 3.7 million tonnes of cargo were handled at Quy Nhon port, and the province turned over to the state budget more than VND1.9 trillion.
The provincial economic structure continues to shift towards industry and services. Cultural and social activities are better, and security and national defense have improved. People's lives are getting more stable. In 2007, Binh Dinh ranked fourth among provinces and cities nationwide in terms of economic management quality and investment/business environment.
Binh Dinh has set for itself a 2008 GDP target of 13.5-14 percent. How's it going to manage that?
Here's how we're going to do it: 1) improve the investment environment, 2) promote construction and industry, 3) increase agricultural, forest and fishery production value, 4) increase added value within the service sector by 13-13.5 percent, 5) export more than US$360 million worth of goods, 6) attract more capital for development investment and 7) spur economic sectors and development cooperation.
How will you be promoting industry and construction?
What we're interested in is improving product quality and competitiveness and completing new investment projects. We could have fast, sustainable industrial growth in the fields of wooden furniture production, granite, construction materials, garments, pharmaceuticals, beer, cane sugar and frozen seafood. Provincial authorities are asking businesses to procure modern equipment so that they can produce more in less time using less fuel, and improve product quality. We're promoting industrial extension activities, developing occupational villages and encouraging individuals, organizations, households, cooperatives and small to medium-sized businesses to make handicrafts to sell on the local market and export. A target has been set for a 32-32.5 percent increase in industrial production value.
Infrastructure is being built for the Nhon Hoi economic zone. A big road inside this economic zone is being built and the Nhon Phuoc residential area (first phase) and the Cat Tien residential area, both being built for the resettled, are all works in progress. Roads for special use in the western economic zone have also been planned.
Binh Dinh wants to attract capital for large, hi-tech investment projects in the Nhon Hoi economic zone and industrial zones in the province. We'll welcome any big, experienced investor that has a concrete investment plan.
Promoting investment, expanding seaports and airports and improving railway service are all important. There is the need to train a workforce and attract talented people.
How is administrative reform coming along in Binh Dinh?
Binh Dinh wants to make use of the one-door policy especially in those areas where administrative procedures are most complicated and anger businesses and residents. The province plans to review current regulations to eliminate those which are unnecessary while improving productivity and discipline observance in state organizations. Provincial authorities are to deal with officials that hinder provincial development.
We have grand targets for 2008 and 2006-2010 and to reach them we want the provincial people's council, the Vietnam Fatherland Front in Binh Dinh, organizations and even individuals in the region to give us a hand.
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