3:44:46 PM | 6/7/2007
Ninh Thuan today has the new face of a young city. The economy is developing with new strength and scale, expanding urban areas, industrial zones, agricultural areas and tourist centres. To have a clearer picture of the province, we interviewed with Ms Hoang Thi Ut Lan, Chairperson of Ninh Thuan People’s Committee.
Could you tell us the differences and main features of the province compared to neighbouring provinces?
In fact, the province is at a low base in socio-economic development in comparison with neighbouring provinces. It is not easy for us to keep up with other provinces. For decades, the province could not find a way out, relying only on existing resources, confronting challenges and difficulties, strong sun and wind, while lacking infrastructure and investment capital.
However, without making the first step we cannot reach our goal. We are determined to develop Ninh Thuan, late but sure of our resolution. We have estimated correctly our potential and advantages, changing weakness into strength, seeing positive elements in difficulties. For instances, dry season and clean air are most favourable for raising sheep and shrimp. As a matter of fact, the province has increased the sheep herd, shrimp raising projects of CP group (Thailand) and series of shrimp farms supplying high-quality species to other provinces. With high salinity of the sea water, we have increased the salt production to a large scale for consumption, industry and chemistry. The province also has good quality sugar cane and grapes. Beautiful beaches, clean and blue water, Nam Cuong dunes, Vinh Hy gulf, Cham culture and Raglai ethnic nationalities are most favourable for tourism development.
Our first job is to make sure investors know the value and potential of the province. We firmly believe that Ninh Thuan will be rapidly developed and everyone can take it for granted. For our part, we will do our utmost to attract investment and hope everyone will join hands in the development of the province.
Describe the development of the province in the past year?
Annual GDP growth was 8-9 per cent, in 2006, it hit 1.5 times the figure from 2000. The economic restructuring has increased in favour of industry-construction (12 per cent in 2000 and 21 per cent in 2006), while decreasing agriculture-forestry-fisheries from 52 per cent to 42 per cent. Industry-construction has recorded the highest growth rate of 21 per cent a year. Main products of the province continue remarkable growth such as minerals, construction materials and salt production. Tourism has expanded with new tourist centres and tours, linking with Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces and attracting more and more local and foreign tourists. Aqua-products increase, on average, 14.6 per cent a year. New strains have increased agricultural production. Animal husbandry has increased in large scale with sheep, goats, and cows.
Some people believe Ninh Thuan could pull off exeptional growth to keep pace with other provinces, how could the province do it?
We must prepare infrastructure in advance, especially for economic development. Together with Khanh Hoa, we are asking the central government and Transport Ministry to build a railway linking Du Long industrial zone and Ba Ngoi sea port. Resources must be mobilized to expand roads along the coast (105 km), to develop thousands of hectares for tourism and new urban areas. Important public works must be also developed.
We will also review, readjust and amend planning for investment projects, improving land management in favour of investors, implementing preferential treatment, improving administrative reform in project evaluation and granting licenses. We must also upgrade training to meet the demand for human resources for the economic restructuring, industrialization and modernization.