The industry and trade sector has played an important role in opening up the economic development of Lao Cai province. For the past years, despite many difficulties, the provincial sector has made great efforts, consulted with the province about practical solutions and supported enterprises to operate. At the same time, the sector has also directed towards a modern and high technology industry to create competitiveness and reduce effects on the environment.
In 2012, despite economic difficulties, industrial production value still reached VND3,150 billion, up 23 percent over 2011. In 2013, it is forecast to reach VND3,986 billion, up 26.5 percent over 2012. The average growth rate from 2011 to 2013 reached 22 percent. This is a relatively high figure compared with those of other provinces in the region and with average growth rate of the whole country.
There are many investment activities in the industry. Besides many operating and expanding companies like Vietnam Apatite Ltd., Cooper Mining Company of Sin Quyen, Vietnam - China minerals and metallurgical Ltd., Cooper refining factory, cast iron and steel factory of Lao Cai, Bac Nhac Son Apatite factory; there are many actively implemented projects such as DAP production factory no. 2, phosphorus rich fertilizer production factory, and a factory of producing additives for animal food DCP, that promise an industrial breakthrough in the future.
Hydroelectric potential is effectively exploited. In 2012, the whole province has an additional 8 hydro-electronic plants with total capacity of 206.3 MW; which increases total number of hydro – electronic plants to 28 with total capacity of 376.2 MW; it is estimated that by the end of 2013, three other hydro – electronic projects will be completed with total capacity of 80MW.
Developing industrial clusters is identified as a major activity to attract investment, create jobs and solve environmental problems. Till now, the whole province of Lao Cai has 3 major industrial clusters: Eastern Pho Moi, Tang Loong and Bac Duyen Hai. They have attracted 131 registered projects with total investment of VND18,770 billion (of which 74 projects have gone into stable operation).
Trading and service activities of the province have also reached many positive achievements. The provincial domestic market has more and more expanded, developed healthily and in the right direction. Trading and service have confirmed their important parts as key industries of the province. Total value of retailed goods and services in 2012 reached VND8,745 billion, up 26 percent over 2011. Import – export revenues through border gates in 2012 reached over US$1.2 billion, up 9.8 percent over 2011.
These results are attributed to the close care and strict direction of Provincial Party Committee, provincial Council of People, provincial People’s Committee; the coordination of industries and localities; the care of corporations and groups, strives of operating enterprises. These results are also achieved thanks to the work of the industry and trading sector in the direction towards a modern and high technology development to create competitiveness, reduce effects on the environment, and save materials and energy in production. Exploit motivating transportation through developing industrial zones; plan material zones along railways, highways and national and provincial routes.
Lam Anh
Vietnamese
