Kien Giang possesses many advantages for the development of marine economy. In the 2011-2015 period, the provincial marine economy was estimated to grow 11.14 percent; contributing 75 percent to the local GDP. Total investment development for marine economy in 2011-2015 was VND110 trillion, accounting for 80 percent of the total investment capital of the province.
Performing "Vietnam Marine Strategy 2020", in the period from 2011 to 2015, Kien Giang has attracted 300 investment projects in coastal regions and islands, scale of 10,244.83ha with total registered capital of over VND138,189 billion. In which, there are 98 projects in operation, a number of major projects are being invested such as Vinpearl Eco-tourism site, Trung Son Seafood Processing Factory, and AOKI Seafood Processing Plant. So far, Kien Giang has attracted nearly 600 projects with a scale of 28,192ha and registered capital over VND237,775 billion. Many projects have been completed and put into use, such as Phu Quoc International Airport, Bai Vong Port, An Thoi Port, the main transport system on the island, electricity and water supply system, high-speed transport system in the sea, creating favourable conditions to promote sea tourism. It was estimated that in 2015, Kien Giang tourism attracted 4.3 million visitors, an increase of 50.9 percent compared to 2010, while international visitors to Phu Quoc reached 156,194 with the average length of stay 1.7 days / person. The total tourism revenue reached VND2,247 billion, up 3.9 times compared to 2010. It has created some new tours; many international flights linking Phu Quoc with some countries such as Russia, Singapore, Cambodia, China, Korea, contributing to tourism development in both scale and quality.
On fishing, the province has 10,300 ships, average capacity 199CV / vessel, including 4,650 offshore fishing vessels. Aquaculture in the coastal area developed rapidly such as tiger shrimp, white shrimp, prawn with the farming area estimated at 202,372 ha in 2015; of which 100,885 ha area of shrimp farming. The total aquaculture was estimated at 677,247 tonnes in 2015, an increase of over 203,907 tonnes compared with 2010. Processing and seafood exports also focus investment towards product diversification. In period 2011 - 2015, the province has 23 seafood processing plants with total capacity of over 165,000 tonnes / year with production of frozen seafood processing reached 58,000 tonnes / year. Seafood export turnover was estimated at US$137.4 million in 2015, up US$20.8 million compared to 2010. The average growth rate of aquatic export value in 2011-2015 was 3.34 percent/year.
However, besides the results achieved, the economic development of Kien Giang sea is still not commensurate with the potential advantage. The growth rate of the sector compared to other field is not high.
To overcome limitations, and effectively mobilize resources for the development of marine economy, Kien Giang will resort to central support to increase investment from targeted funds, government bonds and coordinate to accelerate investment in the key infrastructure for marine economic development. The province will continue administrative reform, remove difficulties and obstacles for investors and create an open investment environment, fair competition between the investors, call the economic sectors and foreign investment to implement projects such as complex high-end casino resorts, Dat No tourism, the tourism projects in Phu Quoc, and Bai No Port, etc. Kien Giang will strength investment promotion in regional scale; increase collaboration, cooperation and development with other provinces in the key economic region, the Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City; cooperation with GMS countries, promoting cooperation and cross-border trade.
In addition, to further develop marine key economic efficiency, create preconditions for the province soon become strong in marine economy with rapid growth, sustainability, the province will focus on developing the fields the potential advantages of such investment in the exploitation of offshore fishing, fishing logistics services, coastal aquaculture and around the islands; development of sea tourism with the focus to build Phu Quoc into a modern island resort. Kien Giang will invest in upgrading Hon Chong - Kien Luong; build an international passenger port Duong Dong - Phu Quoc, Bai No port - Kien Luong, international port and general logistics An Thoi - Phu Quoc; develop marine transport fleet to meet demand and passenger transport in the province, open development shipping to Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia.
Source: Department of Planning and Investment of Kien Giang
Vietnamese
