Kien Giang on the Path of Integration

Kien Giang on the Path of Integration

Kien Giang is a south-western province of Vietnam with great potential in its sea resources, agriculture, minerals and tourism. The province is also dynamic in its development and economic integration. The province is developing its road infrastructure, telecommunications networks, power supply, education and health sectors as well as its human resources.

In 2004-2005, the province targets a GDP growth rate of over 12 per cent and per capita income of US$622. The province will focus on the development of tourism, aquaculture, industrial zones and export activities.

Tourism is becoming a spearhead economic sector of Kien Giang. The province can connect its tourist activities with neighbouring provinces and countries in the region to develop attractive tourist packages. The province is planning its tourism development to 2010, and in 2005 detailed plans will be ready to attract investment including eco-tourism, and all forms of water based tourism.

With the advantage of its vast water surface, Kien Giang is focussed on the development of aquaculture, especially shrimp raising, to increase the value of its processing and export industries. The province will convert fallow land and low-yield rice fields to shrimp raising or combined rice-shrimp production. The province encourages investors to develop farms and large-scale shrimp raising operations in sea, fresh and brackish waters. By 2005, the area dedicated to Su shrimp raising will be over 70,000 hectares with an output of 25,000 tonnes; while fresh water fish will occupy 71,000 hectares with 17.500 tonnes of output. An irrigation system will be completed for aquaculture and shrimp raising.

Industrial zones will be created in resource areas to attract investment in related processing industries. In addition, Rach Gia, Tac Cau and Vinh Hiep industrial zones will be completed by the end of 2004 to receive investors. In 2005, the province will develop industrial zones in Vinh Hoa Hung Nam (Go Quao), Canal 7, Vinh Dam (Phu Quoc) and Rach Dua (Ha Tien). The province will also offer favourable throughout the process of investment. Average industrial value should increase by 18-19 per cent per year including continued investment in export agriculture and aquaculture.

To boost export values, the province will encourage and assist enterprises to upgrade technology, to move into export of more processed products, which have a higher value, thereby reducing the export of unprocessed or semi-processed products. Export value is expected to increase 36.7 per cent a year (equivalent to US$57-58 million), US$280 million in 2005 and US$600 million in 2010. The Trade Promotion Centre of the province will implement a comprehensive programme to 2010 to develop export and tourism. The province will improve assistance funds for export, trade, agriculture and aquaculture, at the same time expanding the markets.

Kien Giang is working to assist enterprises during the process of international integration, with restructuring business activities, increasing managerial skills and improving foreign languages. The province is building international ties with Thailand and Republic of Korea. It is focusing on the development of infrastructure, especially in key economic areas such as seaports, fish ports, safe havens for ships, main roads and new urban areas.

• Yen Nhung