12:00:57 PM | 26/4/2006
In the past five years, Binh Thuan attracted important local and foreign investments in socio-economic development. Mr Huynh Tan Thanh, Chairman of the People’s Committee answered to the questions posed by Vietnam Business Forum reporter Song Phuong.
Could you tell us about the main achievements of the province in recent years ?
Binh Thuan is a coastal province, a gateway for cultural-socio-economic exchanges between the Southern key economic region with Central Vietnam, the Highlands and the rest of Vietnam. The province is large in area and population, rich in natural resources (sea, forest, agriculture, minerals, tourism and recently discovered oil and gas). Binh Thuan was re-establishedIn 1992. The province surged up out of difficulties and overtook other provinces in the region in its socio-economic development.
The province has increased year-on-year GDP growth rates from 10.4 per cent in 2001 to 13.4 per cent in 2005. The economic structure is changing in favour of industry-construction and trade-service. The production value of agriculture-forestry-fisheries reduced from 42 per cent of GDP to 32 per cent in 2005 while industry-service increased from 58 per cent to 68 per cent..
The growth rates of agriculture-forestry-fisheries were 7.8 per cent, industry-construction 17.6 per cent and trade-service 16.7 per cent. In particular, tourism recorded rapid development with 1.3 million tourists in 2005 including 128,000 foreign tourists. The province has 382 tourist projects with total investment of VND10,025 billion including 17 foreign invested projects.
Before 2003, Binh Thuan was classified among the 20 poorest provinces. In 2004, it became the 30th among 64 provinces and cities. In 2005, the revenue of the province was VND3,033 billion (oil and gas included), or 3.3 times that of 2004 and among Top 15 of Vietnam.
How did the province record those achievements?
I think, the causes of the achievements are the four measures taken by the province:
The province has implemented the policy of the Party and State at all levels, developing democratic freedoms and applying timely and effective measures.
Inspection and control have been carried out strictly and effectively, especially in key projects.
The function and responsibility of related authorities and officials have been heightened with creativity and dynamism, combining individuals with collective and superior levels.
Co-ordinating the activities of the Vietnam Fatherland Front with other mass organisations, developing the strength of the political system and the people, solving pressing issues among the population.
Are those achievements already commensurate with the potentials and advantages of the province ?
The development is still incompatible with the demand and general conditions The quality and efficiency of the economic growth are still unstable. The competitiveness is still weak. There remain shortfalls and contradictions in mechanism, poor performance and low sense of responsibility among officials.
How are you planning for the sustainable development of the province ?
The province will focus on the following tasks :
In 2006, the province will develop a plan with seven objectives to ensure a GDP growth rate of 14-14.5 per cent.
All economic sectors will carry out a comprehensive plan until 2010, developing industrial zones in Han Kiem, Tan Duc, Son My (oil and gas), investing in new technology for diversified and high-value products for export, upgrading infrastructure for tourism, improving ecology and human resources, promoting trade and investment.
The province will increase its economic competitiveness, introducing new strains and improving irrigation works for agricultural production, encouraging offshore fishing and export processing, restructuring economic sectors, upgrading tourism services.
The revenue will be at VND3,530 billion with more efficient investments especially in key projects.
According to VCCI ratings, the investment environment of Binh Thuan is below the average. Therefore, the province will accelerate the administrative reform, increase investment management and efficiency so as to mobilise all economic sectors and all available resources for socio-economic development.
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