Tapping Inner Strengths to Make Development Breakthroughs

Over three years (2011-2013), the gross regional domestic product (GRDP) climbed 9.07 per cent a year and was expected to grow at 9.22 per cent a year on average in five years. In economic structure, industry and construction in the gross domestic product (GDP) from 28.8 per cent (2010) to 31.13 per cent (2013); service proportion expanded from 36 per cent in 2010 to 39.31 per cent in 2013; and the percentage of agriculture, forestry and fishery declined from 35.2 per cent in 2010 to 29.56 per cent in 2013. In 2015, the respective proportions are estimated at 36.1 per cent, 37.7 per cent and 26.2 per cent. The total export value was projected at US$3 billion in the 2011-2015 period, including US$620 million in 2013, up 8 per cent year on year and 10.7 per cent higher than the initial plan. State budget collection was estimated at VND21.5 trillion (US$1 billion) in the 2011 - 2015 period.

 

To achieve those impressive results, in addition to implementing policies of the Central Government and resolutions of the Provincial People’s Council, the Provincial People's Committee has proactively based on local social and economic situations to make right and timely policy decisions and utilised internal and external advantages and resources to speed up social and economic development. Furthermore Binh Dinh has an important role and position in national security and defence and has favourable conditions for social and economic development exchange as it lies in the heart of international and inter-regional exchange routes, on the North - South and East-West axial routes of the central region, and near to international shipping routes and serves as the gateway to the sea for Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) countries, especially Laos, Cambodia, Northeast Thailand, via Quy Nhon International Port. In fact, the province has exploited these pluses relatively well. Moreover, as the southern growth engine of the central key economic region and the Central Highlands, Binh Dinh has been determined to perform well that role to contribute more to the regional social and economic growth. Specifically, it is speeding up necessary procedures to launch Nhon Hoi petrochemical complex project soon by garnering the support of the Central Government. Once it goes into operation, the project will have tremendous impacts on socioeconomic development of the central region and across the country.

 

For years, Binh Dinh has tried to build and develop the Vietnamese ocean tuna brand with the aim of doing long-term business in the Japanese market and other markets keen on tuna caught by central Vietnamese localities. Besides, the province assumed the role of in-depth specialised scientific research through the International Centre of Interdisciplinary Science Education (ICISE) and the Meetings of Vietnam Foundation (Rencontres du Vietnam Foundation) led by Professor Tran Thanh Van. Currently, the centre has become a great address for many scientists, teachers, researchers and students in Vietnam and abroad to do scientific research.

 

As the textile centre of the region, Binh Dinh was chosen to house the dyeing, garment and textile complex invested by the Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex). Presently, most of the garment and textile factories in Binh Dinh are doing good business and providing many jobs for local workers. Besides, Binh Dinh is actively developing the infrastructure system to serve socioeconomic development and linking with other localities in the Central Coast and Central Highlands. Typical projects include the upgraded and expanded National Highway 1A, National Highway 19, National Highway 1D, expanded and upgraded Phu Cat Airport. The province is calling investment capital for the construction of hospitals in Southern Central Coast and the Central Highlands and for the upgrading and expansion of Quy Nhon International Port.

 

The Binh Dinh Socioeconomic Development Master Plan until 2020 was approved by the Prime Minister inthe Decision 54/2009/QD-TTg dated April 14, 2009 with the following major contents: Stepping up the construction and investment of Nhon Hoi Economic Zone into the nucleus of growth, the centre of provincial development, the development driving force of Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia Development Triangle; boosting investment for economic restructuring of Quy Nhon City with the aim of becoming the centre of industry, seaport, trade services, tourism and personnel training of Binh Dinh province, the Central Coast and the Central Highlands; upgrading Binh Dinh, Bong Son and Phu Phong urban zones into provincial towns to boost the province’s connectivity with other provinces in the region; upgrading the local socioeconomic infrastructure system to strengthen its connectivity with surrounding areas; investing for the development of locally advantageous industries like tourism, marine, trade, export, agro-fishery processing, handicraft, seaport and petrochemical; developing high-quality human resources; and building up scientific and technological capabilities.

 

To implement this master plan, the province has focused on attracting investment capital into Nhon Hoi Economic Zone, particularly the Nhon Hoi Petrochemical and Oil Refining Complex which is expected to create development momentum for Binh Dinh economy in particular and the region in general. With total investment capital of over VND10 trillion, Vinatex’s dyeing, garment and textile complex will make Binh Dinh province a centre of this industry in the Central Coast and the Central Highlands.

 

To effectively tap its marine potentials for economic development, the province has built a 70-ha seafood-specialised industrial complex in Vinh Loi commune, Phu My district to enhance downstream processing capabilities; developed export seafood frozen plants in Hoai Nhon commune, Phu Cat district; upgraded the processing capacity to 21,000 tonnes a year and export capacity to 16,500 tonnes a year.

 

The province will concentrate on developing human resources to meet the cause of industrialisation, modernisation and international economic integration.