Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc attends a promotion conference on Monday in the northernmost mountainous province of Ha Giang. — Photo VGP

The northernmost mountainous province of Ha Giang attracted VND16.1 trillion (US$706 million) worth of investment into 26 projects at a promotion conference on Monday.

Speaking at the Ha Giang Investment Promotion Conference, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc praised the province’s socio-economic development achievements, such as poverty reduction by 5 per cent annually, growth of 7 per cent in gross regional domestic product, forest coverage of more than 55 per cent and contribution to the budget worth VND2 trillion, despite its disadvantageous geographical location.

Phuc also said he was impressed with the efforts of applying information and technology by local authorities, boosting e-commerce, tourism and preserving nature.

“Businesses play an important role in turning Ha Giang into a rich but sustainable province and accelerating tourism in the northwest region, as well as the entire tourism industry of Viet Nam,” Phuc said.

“What investors are doing today will not only contribute to enhancing the living standards of ethnic communities in Ha Giang but also lead to breakthroughs in the development of remote border areas.”

“Thus, Ha Giang will need more big investors,” Phuc said.

He said good business models and projects with inclusiveness and spillover effects, which provide jobs and stable incomes for local residents, should be targeted. This is key for the rise of the northwest region in general, and Ha Giang Province in particular, adding that the province had significant potential and competitive advantages in agriculture, medicinal plantation, tourism and border trade.

“Ha Giang Province must accompany business,” Phuc said, urging the development of a transparent and constructive government, cost-cutting for firms and improving overall competitiveness. Administrative reform must also be hastened together with improving land access for businesses, Phuc said.

Specially, Ha Giang should focus on boosting tourism through diversifying tourism products, developing community-based tourism, restoring and promoting traditional festivals and cultural values.

The province, which aims to become a key tourist attraction by 2020, has majestic mountain landscapes and a UNESCO-recognised global geological park, as well as 19 ethnic groups living together with attractive festivals, natural and cultural heritages. The number of tourist arrivals to the province has risen consistently, and is estimated to reach one million with a revenue of VND950 billion this year.

With famous specialties such as oranges, honey, tea and medicinal plants, Phuc urged the province to study policies to boost hi-tech and organic agricultural production together with building brands.

Nguyen Van Son, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee said that the province was providing incentives to investments in border trade, agricultural production and tourism.

On the same day, Phuc had a working session with the provincial Standing Committee of the Party to tackle difficulties and create conditions for further socio-economic development.

He also visited Thanh Thuy International Border Gate. — VNS