QUẢNG NINH — Quảng Ninh Province’s gross regional domestic product (GRDP) expanded by 9.6 per cent in the first half of this year against 9.2 per cent in the same period last year.

In the first quarter, the province’s GRDP grew 8.3 per cent while the figure recorded in the second quarter was 10.7 per cent, the fastest pace since 2012.

With this performance, Quảng Ninh has been listed among the leading cities and provinces in the northern key economic region and nationwide.

Sectors posting the highest growth rate include services at11.5 per cent, industry and construction at10 per cent, and agriculture-forestry-fishery at 2.2 per cent.

To reach the target of 10 per cent growth rate, the province will focus on drastically instructing the implementation of socio-economic development tasks and solutions set for 2017.

The locality will remove difficulties facing businesses, support startups, facilitate production and business, and spur growth. At the same time, it will accelerate administrative reform and intensify investment, tourism and trade promotion to attract more resources for local socio-economic development.

Located on the northern coast with advantages in location and natural resources, Quảng Ninh is striving to tap its full potential in maritime economic development.

As part of efforts to implement Resolution 09-NQ/TW on Việt Nam’s Sea and Island Strategy until 2020, Quảng Ninh has applied measures to boost its sea-based economy in line with ensuring national security and defence.

In recent years, the province has focused on building infrastructure to boost maritime economic development, especially tourism and aquaculture.

Currently, all seaports in Quảng Ninh have been upgraded to strengthen their capacity in providing services and connecting the mainland and islands in the region.

Some seaports in the locality are being expanded to national and regional scales, including Hải Hà, Cái Lân and Cửa Ông.

Quảng Ninh has also mobilised resources for the comprehensive development of infrastructure in coastal economic zones and industrial parks (IPs), including the Vân Đồn EZ and Hải Hà, Đầm Nhà Mạc, Việt Hưng and Hải Yên IPs, attracting more investment.

Investment promotion activities have been used to call for investment in major projects, including Vân Đồn airport, Vân Tiến bridge, major seaports and roads, as well as other projects in entertainment, resorts, aquaculture and fishing.

In 2016, Quảng Ninh welcomed 8.3 million tourists, a year-on-year increase of 7 per cent, earning over VNĐ13 trillion (US$571 million) in revenue, up 23 per cent, according to the provincial Department of Tourism.

By 2020, the province aims to serve 15-16 million tourists, including seven million foreigners, and rake in VNĐ30-40 trillion ($1.3-1.7 billion) in revenue. The tourism sector is expected to contribute 14-15 per cent to the GRDP. — VNS