The Ministry of Industry and Trade has approved six projects worth VND1.21 billion for Tien Giang province to assist businesses in production and new technology, increasing product quality and competitiveness. To get more information, Vietnam Business Forum interviewed Mr Dang Thanh Liem, Director of Tien Giang Department of Industry and Trade. Ha Phuong reports.
Could you tell us the achievements recorded by the industry and trade sector of the province in the first six months of 2012?
In spite of difficulties, in the first six months of 2012, Tien Giang Industry and Trade sector has recorded encouraging achievements. Industrial production value was VND5,873.8 billion increasing 20.2 percent by processing industry and 9.1 percent by electricity and water supply. Export value was US$390 million, 8.18 percent more than the same period last year and 45.4 percent of the plan, with strong increase in aqua-products export. However, the total export value marked only a modest increase compared to the same period last year due to harsh competition in rice export and difficulties in other sectors.
How are exports and what are the main export items of the province?
In 2012, the Vietnam economy faces numerous difficulties, Tien Giang is no exception. Economic recession has adversely affected export activities. The export value this year is expected to be 16.2 percent more than last year. However, processed aqua-products, the main export item of the province continues to increase 24.2 percent in the first six months and making up 48 percent of the export value. In addition to aqua-products, garment and copper tubing are also main export items of the province.
Meanwhile, industrial zones of the province continue to attract more projects. Some investments projects in Tan Huong and Long Jiang industrial zones have started operating, producing garments, footwear, hand bags and cooking oil, diversifying export items and ensuring the fulfilment of the economic plan.
Regarding import, main items are production materials (over 90 percent) while equipment and parts account for only 1 percent. The import value in the first six months is US$140 million, 17.8 percent less than the same period last year.
Can you describe the development of industry and service?
In the first half of the year, industrial production of the province increased significantly, with industrial production value 19.9 percent higher than the same period last year. Tien Giang industry focuses on the processing of foods, animal feed, fruit and vegetable, with aqua-products as the main item and big enterprises in My Tho and Chau Thanh industrial zones playing the main role.
The processing of aqua-products developed favourably with enterprises of considerable size getting 40-60 percent of materials and without shortage of supply. The output in the first six months was 98,000 tons, 26.9 percent more than the same period last year. In 2012, Tien Giang industry will diversify the products but aqua-products and food remain the main items.
Regarding trade and service, the province will promote the participation of all economic sectors, encouraging and assisting investments especially in export, tourism, telecommunication, education and public health, meeting the demand of production and consumption. The province will successfully implement plans and projects and upgrade infrastructure for trade, telecommunication, tourism, financing and insurance services.
As the Ministry of Industry and Trade has approved a budget of VND1.21 billion to assist six projects, how will this affect businesses in the province?
Ministry of Industry and Trade has approved six projects of national industrial promotion in 2012 with a budget of VND1.21 billion including 3 projects of technical demonstration to help businesses develop production lines of veterinary medicines of GMP standard, rice bags, fruit juice and tea bags; a project applying the production line in rice processing to meet the high quality export demand; a project of training skilled workers for the footwear industry; and a project assisting rural industries to participate in trade fairs, promote brands, introduce products, find partners, expand domestic and international markets.
These projects will encourage and assist businesses to expand production, apply new technology, improve of product quality and competitiveness, and restructure the economy with industrialization and modernization, creating jobs and increasing incomes.
And what are the objectives of the sector in 2010?
In 2012, the industry and trade sector will try to attain the following objectives: industrial production value of VND11,960 billion, 18 percent more than 2011 and 100 percent of the plan; export value of US$860 million, 16 percent more than 2011 and 100 percent of the plan; accomplishment of all the projects, plans and tasks.
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