11:12:49 PM | 31/3/2010
To facilitate investments and business activities, Tra Vinh has accelerated administrative reform and infrastructure development. Vietnam Business Forum reporter had an interview with Mr. Tran Hoan Kim, Chairman of Tra Vinh People’s Committee.
From a low base compared to other provinces, Tra Vinh in the past years have made great efforts in socio-economic development, will you please, tell us the achievements recorded in 2005-2010?
True, in comparison with other provinces of the Mekong Delta and the rest of Vietnam, Tra Vinh has developed from a low base in various fields: inconvenient transport infrastructure, poor natural resources, low working skill, agriculture dominated economy. Besides the impact of the world economic crisis, Tra Vinh was faced with natural calamities, diseases and poverty. Nevertheless, the local people and authorities have tried their best and achieved significant successes.
The average GDP growth rate in the past five years was 11.64 percent including 3.15 percent in agriculture, 10.95 in forestry, 6.94 percent in fisheries, 15.83 percent in industry, 29.5 percent in construction and 20.8 percent in service. The economic structure transformed positively: agriculture-forestry-fisheries decreased from 59.82 percent in 2005 down to 43.85 percent in 2010, industry and construction increased from 16.68 percent to 23.59 percent, and service from 23.5 percent to 32.56 percent. Total social investment was VND18,186 billion, up 17.8 percent a year. The export value in 2010 is expected at US$140 million, up 26.4 percent a year. Total budget revenue is VND655 billion, up by 10 percent.
The province generated 50,000 jobs a year and trained 28 percent of workforce. The poverty rate reduced on average of 3 percent a year, down to 16.4 percent. GDP per capita is VND11,625,000 a year (equivalent of US$653).
Socio-economic infrastructure is being developed especially water conservancy, transport, power and water supply, telecommunication, culture and social welfare. Special treatment was applied to ethnic minorities, religions and target groups. Social and political stability is maintained. In 2009, Tra Vinh received special investments from the central government such as sea-going ship channel on the Hau river crossing the length of the province, Duyen Hai power centre, upgraded highways 53, 54 and 60, Dinh An economic zone, Cau Quan and Co Chien industrial zones and others. As a result, more local and foreign investors seek business opportunities in the province. During three meetings in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Tra Vinh, 25 agreements have been signed with 33 projects concluded between Tra Vinh authorities and investors including 10 projects under construction. Those are premises for the success of the province in the coming years.
How did the province develop international cooperation to attract FDI and other assistance?
International cooperation is important to attract FDI and other assistance from international organizations and foreign investors. Like other province, Tra Vinh pays special attention to these activities.
In coordination with related ministries, Foreign Investment Promotion Centre and VCCI Can Tho Branch, Tra Vinh organized conference and seminars promoting Tra Vinh image to local and foreign investors, approaching foreign embassies and introducing potential and preferential treatment of the province on taxes, land rental, export, legal consulting and administrative formalities in favour of investments in the province.
The province has completed the planning and called for investments in Dinh An economic zone and industrial centres, in conjunction with related ministries, accelerating the development of key national projects in the province including Co Chien bridge and others to open the flow of commodities to big cities.
The administrative reform has been accelerated helping investors in land clearance, and infrastructure development, one-stop shop improving investment registration and implementation.
Periodical meetings between local authorities and investors have been sponsored to listen to the views of investors and help remove their constraints.
Infrastructure, transport, power and water supply, telecommunication have been upgraded to meet the demand of investors.
Trade fairs at home and abroad have been organized to promote main exports of the province and develop long-term plan and strategy for sustainable economic development.
The economic recovery is still confronted with several difficulties, what should the province do to develop its potentials for socio-economic development?
To develop its potentials, Tra Vinh should focus on the following measures:
The province must grasp the opportunities and overcome challenges and weaknesses, maintain economic growth rate, increase efficiency and competitiveness, and promote regional and international integration.
Infrastructure must be developed with maximum resources and efficiency. In addition to major projects of the central government, the province must complete the network of roads to ensure the smooth transport of materials and goods between the province and other provinces and cities in the region.
The economic structure must be transformed in favour of industrialization and modernization, promoting industry, agriculture, trade and service, completing the construction of Dinh An economic zone, industrial zones of Long Duc, Cau Quan and Co Chien, improving agricultural production to ensure stable supply of materials for processing industry.
Policy and preferential treatment must be improved regarding infrastructure, land and labour top attract more investments.
Training of human resources must be increased to meet the demand of big projects and labour export.
Administrative reform must be accelerated to ensure effective and efficient service with the application of information technology and modern equipment. Standards of staff members and managers must be upgraded.
Quang Thuan