QUẢNG BÌNH — The central province of Quảng Bình should consider tourism-services, high-tech agriculture and processing industry as driving forces for growth. 

Speaking at the investment promotion conference themed co-operation and sustainable development held in the province on Monday, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc said the province would achieve new development thank to its advantages, along with innovative thinking.

Phúc said Quảng Bình was considered a “blue diamond” of Asia which should be preserved.

“Quảng Bình Province therefore should have standard planning of its economic sector in order to serve the economy, create connections for common development,” he said, adding the Government would always support the province’s development.

Addressing the conference, which attracted more than 700 foreign and domestic firms and investors, the PM said he was impressed by the 71 per cent increase in the number of tourist arrivals in Quảng Bình last year and the 110 per cent increase in foreign arrivals.

 The PM asked the Transport Ministry to study a plan to upgrade Đồng Hới Airport into an international one that allows foreigners to enter and leave the country using e-visas. 

The leader said Quảng Bình tourism, famous for its caves, along with natural and cultural diversity in Hạ Long, Sa Pa, Huế ancient capital city, Quảng Nam and the Mekong Delta, will help Việt Nam become a tourism magnet beyond ASEAN.

He suggested the province further develop its tourism services while preserving and upholding cultural and natural values, working closely with other localities to move Việt Nam’s tourism forward. 

The PM also lauded Quảng Bình, together with Hà Tĩnh and Quảng Trị provinces, as examples of overcoming difficulties following the marine environment incident of 2016.

To achieve development goals, the PM urged Quảng Bình to not only perform well in State management but also listen to public feedback and continue improving its business environment. 

Provincial authorities need to acquire feedback, especially regarding preservation of heritage values, and choose qualified investors to help Quảng Bình shine in the world’s tourism map. 

The PM requested each business commitment in the province go along with drastic and prompt actions. Hailing Quảng Bình’s important location in both national and international aspects, he said the province should not neglect its strength in forestry development and high-tech agriculture. 

The PM added that the province also holds advantages in developing renewable energy, with about 1,800 hours of sunlight each year and average wind speed of 5.5 – 6m per second. At the same time, the Government leader reminded the province to pay more attention to poverty reduction, especially among ethnic minority groups.

More than US$7.34 billion committed

The province awarded investment licences and co-operation deals for 66 projects worth nearly VNĐ169 trillion (more than US$7.34 billion) at the conference. 

It also handed over a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on co-operation in building Quảng Bình’s e-government for the Việt Nam Posts and Telecommunications Group and the Việt Nam Military Industry and Telecoms Group.

 The Ministry of Information and Communications also granted a MoU on co-operation in developing Quảng Bình’s e-government to a representative from provincial authorities. 

This year, the province is prioritising projects in tourism - services, high-tech, renewable energy and green agriculture.

It has partnered with McKinsey and Company Ltd, a leading US consultant firm, to build a master plan on provincial socio-economic development. 

“This has been considered the biggest event in Quảng Bình so far the year which was expected to create an investment wave into the locality,” said Nguyễn Hữu Hoài, chairman of the provincial People’s Committee.

Hoài added that Quảng Bình has a strategic location in the East-West Economic Corridor as well as the eastern gateway to the sea of central Laos, northeastern Thailand and Myanmar.

The province also boasts a favourable transport system of road, railway, International Đồng Hới Airport and Hòn La Seaport. — VNS