The marine economy was the province’s key earner last year.
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Fishermen in Binh Dinh Province catch tuna to sell to seafood processing companies. Marine products have become a vital economic sector for the province.—VNA/VNS Photo Pham Biet |
Marine products and services have become a key economic sector of the central province of Binh Dinh, with its seafood export value reaching US$32.4 million in 2008.
Binh Dinh’s offshore area of 2,500sq.km runs along 134km of coast lined by three large seaports, Quy Nhon, De Gi and Tam Quan and a community of islands.
In recent years, the provincial authorities have decided to take advantage of its natural resources and developed a plan with priorities in investment in the fishing and marine tourism industries.
Nguyen Van Mong, deputy director of the provincial Agricultural and Rural Development Service, said infrastructure including construction of new shipbuilding and repair establishments and berths have been set up as well as ports including Quy Nhon, Hoai Nhon, De Gi, and Nhon Chau.
A seawall system has also been built to protect the area.
Quy Nhon city alone has invested VND64 billion to build a berth at Island 1A and has built three new shipbuilding and repair establishments including Thanh An, Hai Son and Trung Hai.
The provincial authorities have also given financial support to local fishermen to encourage them to build large-capacity fishing vessels to ensure offshore fishing activities.
Last year 70 fishing boats were built, with most of them having an engine capacity of 90 horsepower or more. This year, the province also expects to have a similar number of new vessels.
As a result, Binh Dinh now has one of the largest fishing vessel fleets in the country.
The province has 8,054 fishing vessels, among which 4,500 are offshore boats with capacities of over 90 HP, and a boat team specialising in fishing tuna.
Thanks to such a strong fleet, the province’s fishing output increased from 90,000 tonnes in 2007 to more than 100,000 tonnes in 2008. That is expected to rise to 105,000 tonnes this year.
To ensure the added value of local seafood products, Binh Dinh has also built five new modern seafood processing factories with a combined capacity of 35 tonnes per day.
Tourism development
In addition to developing the fishing industry, Binh Dinh has also begun to develop sea-based tourism, according to Nguyen Thanh Hai, director of the Binh Dinh Investment Promotion Centre.
On its 134-km coastline are dozens of areas that would be suitable for tourism projects, Hai said.
The Binh Dinh People’s Committee recently approved 12 major tourism projects, including the $100 million Tan Thanh tourism area, the $120 million Nhi Nai Eco-tourism Area, the $250 million Ly Nhon-Cat Tien Tourism Area, and the Metro-Kim Cuc Development Service Centre.
Nguyen Thanh, director of the An Phu Thinh Joint-Stock Company, said the province had great tourism potential. His company plans to develop two major tourism projects in Quy Nhon city.
The development of the sea-based economy has made a significant contribution to the province’s growth, creating many jobs and strengthening national security, according to officials.
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