Increasing Leverage for Marine Economic Development

With a coastline of 120 kilometres, continental shelf of 93 kilometres and a large fishing ground with many high economic value marine species, Quang Nam has great potential to develop the marine economy and make this field an economic growth driver.

Referring to the marine economic strength of the province, people cannot fail to mention fisheries. According to statistics, fishery production of the province in 1997 was 29,494 tonnes, which increased to 60,891 tonnes by 2011, an average of 2,200 tonnes per year. In 2011, the value of fishery products reached VND2,792 billion, accounting for 8.71 percent of province GDP.

As of early 2012, the province had 4,217 fishing ships and boats with the total capacity of more than 80,000 CV, including 279 with the capacity of more than 90 CV each. The labour force of the province is quite abundant with more than 25,000 people. Considering marine economy an important part of the economic development of the province, during the last few years, Quang Nam province has invested heavily in this sector. In 2011, the total investment capital of Quang Nam was 12,795VND billion, of which VND98.5 billion is for fishery.

Besides fishing advantages, Quang Nam possesses great potential for island tourism. Along Quang Nam beach there are many ideal beautiful sandy beaches such as Ha My (Dien Ban), Cua Dai (Hoi An), Binh Minh (Thang Binh), Tam Thanh (Tam Ky), Ky Ha and Bai Rang (Nui Thanh). The beaches are wild, full of wind and sun, and ideal destinations for both domestic and foreign tourists. To effectively exploit this potential, in early 2013, the Quang Nam Provincial People's Committee approved the project on exploring and managing a number of tourism beaches in the province in 2013 and 2014 in three beaches including Cua Dai (Hoi An city), Tam Thanh (Tam Ky city) and Ha My (Dien Ban district). Accordingly, the province will spend more than VND10.3 billion for investment in these three beaches, mainly focusing on rescue work, social security, sanitation and landscape maintenance. Besides, the province also maintains a good relationship between protection and exploitation of beaches to build safe and interesting tourism spots. In addition, the province is gradually building public facilities along with selective development and testing tourism services to attract visitors, making Quang Nam beaches an attractive destination.

In order to promote marine economic advantages, Quang Nam has set a target orienting the development of marine economy in the future, striving to help the coastal and marine economy develop and play an important role in the economy of the province.

To achieve this goal, first of all the province focuses on promoting fishing activities, especially offshore fishing. To improve and expand the infrastructure and logistics of fisheries, the province has created favourable conditions for fishermen, especially those in the Spratly Islands and the Paracel Islands. Additionally, the province considers promoting aquaculture according to planning, takes into account industrial farming, cultivation and farming associated with processing to ensure food hygiene and safety.

Along with fishing, the province also promotes the development of its maritime transport services and focuses on improving Ky Ha Port capacity to ensure its position as the gateway to the East Sea of Quang Nam in general and Chu Lai Open Economic Zone in particular.

In particular, the province will also focus on exploiting island tourism potential. Mr Dinh Hai, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said that having the advantage of two world heritages, along with a long and beautiful coastline and Cu Lao Cham Biosphere Reserve, Quang Nam province is completely able to offer heritage tourism products associated with eco-tourism and coastal resorts exciting enough to attract visitors. The province needs to strengthen the connection between marine and island tourism with different forms of tourism, and cooperate closely with other provinces in the region to bring the highest efficiency in regional economic development. It is essential to identify priorities for tourism, industry and fishery development to avoid duplication of investment. At the same time it is important to focus on building infrastructure in coastal areas and consider this an important leverage to promote economic development in general and the marine economy in particular.

                                                   Hoang Thanh