2:54:58 PM | 25/5/2007
Dak Nong is a newly established province with great potential and opportunity for development. Mr Dang Duc Yen, Chairman of Dak Nong Province, talks with Vietnam Business Forum about the province’s achievements and objectives.
Can you talk about Dak Nong Province’s most notable socioeconomic achievements and living standard improvements after separation from greater Dak Nong Province?
The newly established Dak Nong, in spite of difficulties, has made significant progress thanks to local efforts and central support. The GDP growth rate was 10.6 per cent in 2004, 14.8 per cent in 2005 and 15.3 per cent in 2006. Per capita GDP jumped from VND4.4 million a year to in 2004 to VND7.7 million (US$481) a year in 2006, 66.6 per cent of national average. The economic structure also changed, agro-forestry decreasing from 63.3 per cent to 58.1 per cent, and industry increasing from 10.6 per cent to 19.8 per cent. State budget collection rose from VND130 billion in 2004 to VND220 billion in 2006, while exports in the same period increased from US$50 million to US$130 million.
Total social investment capital grew from VND970 billion in 2004 to VND1,409 billion in 2005, and VND2,000 billion in 2006. The province is home to several large-scale projects, like the 141-MW Dak R’Til hydropower plant costing VND3,000 billion, the 84-MW Buon Tua Sah hydropower plant project costing VND1,900 billion, and the 300,000 tonne a year bauxite and alumina production project costing VND1,600 billion. These projects play crucial roles boosting growth and transforming the province’s economic structure.
The province also saw many cultural and social improvements and rising living standards. The poor household rate (new criteria) was reduced from 33.7 per cent in 2005 to 25 per cent in 2006. At present, all communes, 95 per cent of villages and 85 per cent of households have access to the national power grid. All communes have healthcare stations. 93.4 per cent of communes have broadcasting stations. Half of communal medical stations have doctors and 96 per cent have cultural houses.
What are Dak Nong Province’s areas of potential for development?
The province holds the potential for hydroelectricity development with estimated output of 1,500 MW, and it has huge reserves of bauxite for commercial production. The land and forest area allow for the expansion of industrial crop cultivation, forestation and commercial husbandry. With plentiful natural resources, Dak Nong Province also hopes to tap a growing tourism industry. With its potential and advantages, Dak Nong expects to draw more investment capital from domestic and foreign sources.
Could you outline the development picture of Dak Nong Province in the future?
The expected average growth rate for 2006-2010 is over 16 per cent. By 2010, the economic size is expected to double from 2005. Local per capital GDP will be 80 per cent of the national average. After 2005, the economic structure will increasingly focus on industry and service over agriculture.
I absolutely believe in the bright future of the province. Dak Nong will become a prosperous land very soon.
Hanh - Ly
Vietnamese
