Quang Nam Industrial Province by 2015-2020

Quang Nam Industrial Province by 2015-2020

VIB Forum's reporter held an interview with Mr Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Chairman of the Quang Nam People's Committee about the province's achievements in recent years and objectives in the time to come.

Could you outline the road map to make Quang Nam an industrial province?

The two most important criteria for Quang Nam to be an industrial province are that the industrial and service values comprise most of the GDP and that the non-agriculture workforce accounts for the greater part of the labour structure. Accordingly, the road map to make Quang Nam an industrial province consists of three stages:

In 2003-2005: the average GDP growth rate of the province reaches 10-11 per cent a year. By 2005, industry-construction comprises 33 per cent of the GDP, service 36 per cent and agriculture 31 per cent. The non-agriculture workforce increases to 35 per cent of the total in 2005.

In 2006-2010: the average GDP growth rate will be 11-12 per cent. By 2010, industry-construction increases to 38-39 per cent of the GDP, services 38-39 per cent and agriculture 22-23 per cent. The non-agriculture workforce rises to 45 per cent in 2010.

In 2011-2015: the average GDP growth rate will be 12-13 per cent. By 1015, industry-construction hits 43-45 per cent of the GDP, service 43-45 per cent and agriculture less than 15 per cent. Non-agriculture workforce accounts for 60 per cent.

Which sector will be invested in as the driving force for development?

The breakthrough will be the development of industry at a growth rate of 24-25 per cent with the creation of Chu Lai open economic zone and several industrial zones, promoting key investment projects such as power, cement, chemicals, steel, mechanics and textiles and garments.

What measures must be taken to achieve this objective?

+ Quang Nam must have good planning to promote investment and infrastructure development.

+ The management must be dynamic and creative, accelerating the granting of investment licenses, land compensation and clearance, and resettlement.

+ Promoting investment by developing preferential treatment and assisting investors in the survey and implementation of projects.

+ Mobilising all available resources to develop infrastructure, encouraging local and foreign investors to develop infrastructure in various forms such as BT, BOT.

+ Creating a favourable social environment, encouraging long-term commitments by investors and honouring entrepreneurs for socio-economic development.

How will you mobilise resources for these developments?

In 1997, when Quang Nam was separated from Quang Nam - Da Nang province, industry was almost non-existent and there was strong pressure of unemployment. The authorities of the province decided to develop infrastructure to encourage industry:

+ Developing major industrial zones such as Dien Nam - Dien Ngoc, Thuan Yen, North Chu Lai, sections of Chu Lai Open Economic Zone and others.

+ Developing preferential treatment and assisting investors in infrastructure development.

+ Generating capital from the budget, import-export taxes and land value, providing capital to projects of high priority for industrial development and employment.

+ An important resource is from the investors and the province should encourage their contribution.

Quang Nam is large in area, population and potential, but remains poor. ODA and NGO resources are being used for poverty reduction and ecology protection in the highlands, the development of agriculture and industrial materials in the midland, the development of agriculture, industry and urban development in the plain, and the development of aquaculture in the coastal areas.

The province is preparing a master plan for the usage of ODA in the framework of the Ministry of Planning and Investment. Key projects of high feasibility have been decided and are attracting the interest of investors.

How will you attract investors?

As a province big in area and population and with advantages and opportunities for development, Quang Nam is determined to accelerate its socio-economic development and become a strong province, contributing to the prosperity of Central Vietnam and the whole country.

Quang Nam has a legacy of an open economic zone in Hoi An since the late 16^th century. The hard-working people of the province will make the best use of the available opportunities to make Quang Nam a reliable place for long-term investment. The province has so far attracted 36 foreign investment projects with total capital of US$223 million, 1,220 private enterprises with registered capital of VND2,100 billion, 175 co-operatives, and over 100 projects with capital of US$15 million each upward are under consideration. 

• Anh Khoa