A view of Da Nang City. Hosting the APEC events in 2017 is one of the major tasks that the central city will carry out between now and 2020. — Photo baodanang.vn

DA NANG (Biz Hub) — President Tran Dai Quang ordered central Da Nang city to co-ordinate with relevant ministries, sectors and localities to gear up for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit next year.

Hosting the APEC events in 2017 is one of the major tasks that the central city will carry out between now and 2020.

At a working session with municipal officials yesterday, the State leader said in the next few years, Da Nang needs to foster economic growth in a rapid and sustainable fashion, enhance growth quality and the competitiveness.

It should promote effective urban planning and management, develop infrastructure and improve social and cultural aspects.

More opportunities and challenges will arise this year as Viet Nam is continuing intensive international integration, implementing the Resolution of the 12th National Party Congress and the 2016 – 2020 socio-economic development plan, and electing the 14th National Assembly and all-level People's Councils.

At the meeting, municipal officials reported that Da Nang's GDP expanded by 9.8 per cent and per capita income averaged VND62.65 million (over US$2,800) in 2015. While the services sector makes up 62.6 per cent of the local economy, industry – construction account for 35.3 per cent and agriculture has shrunk to 2.1 per cent.

Tourism has become an important industry, they said, noting that the city welcomed 4.6 million visitors, including 1.2 million foreigners, last year.

Later that same day, President Quang visited the Military Zone 5, praising the military's contributions to the national revolutionary cause and current national construction and defence.

He asked the zone to continue consolidating defensive capacity, uphold the entire people and political system, and develop people's national defence.

The President noted that the regional and world situation would become more complex in the future, urging the zone's soldiers to heighten revolutionary vigilance and closely work with localities and other forces in building a strong national defence system. — VNS