Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Government officials, and leaders of Kien Giang Province visit a booth showcasing some of the specialities of Kien Giang Province on the sidelines of the Kien Giang Investment Promotion Conference held recently in the province. — VNA/VNS Photo Thong Nhat

The Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta Province of Kien Giang has pledged to further improve its competitiveness and investment climate, making it easy for investors to do business, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee, Nguyen Thanh Nghi, said.

It would also continue to ensure there is a supply of human resources and services to better meet investors’ needs, he said.

It aims to create a dynamic, creative and efficient business environment for investors as it sees their success as its own, he said.

Of the 13 cities and provinces in the Mekong Delta, Kien Giang has the largest area and second biggest population.

As the western gateway to the region and with the waters of the Gulf of Thailand lapping its shores, the province encompasses a vast sea area of over 63,000 square kilometres. It also shares a 58km border with Cambodia, has the Ha Tien international border gate and national border gate and two airports besides pristine forests, mountains and more than 100 small and large islands.

It is the country’s largest producer of many agricultural and fisheries items such as rice and shrimp and practises many advanced farming models.

Phu Quoc, aka Pearl Island, ranks among the top tourist destinations in Asia.

The province achieved rapid economic growth, averaging 7.17 per cent, in the 2016-18 period. The number of tourists grew annually at over 20 per cent, and tourism revenues surged 40 per cent.

Untapped potential

Pham Vu Hong, chairman of the province People’s Committee, said Kien Giang’s development in the past was not commensurate with its advantages.

A lot of potential has not been tapped, including in agro-forestry and coastal aquaculture in Giang Thanh, Kien Luong, Hon Dat, and U Minh Thuong; in marine economic development, especially industrial aquaculture; in industrial development, especially processing associated with local raw materials; in eco-tourism and renewable energy development; and in urban and coastal housing development.

“Besides Phu Quoc, we have three more key tourism areas with plenty of potential: Ha Tien - Kien Luong (with the Ba Lua Archipelago and Tien Hai Archipelago), Rach Gia - Kien Hai (with Hon Tre, Lai Son and Nam Du islands) and the U Minh Thuong area with the U Minh Thuong National Park.

“We are aware that to enable Kien Giang to become a dynamic and developing province with prosperity and sustainable development, it must necessarily stimulate and exploit effectively and evenly the province’s potential and strengths based on both internal and external resources.

“We also understand that to mobilise resources from outside, there is no better way than to greatly improve the business and investment environment, remove bottlenecks in administrative procedures and complete the legal framework.”

Therefore, in the past few years, the province has put more effort into planning, drawing up preferential policies for investors and reforming administrative procedures.

In addition to the existing traffic infrastructure, new projects such as National Highway 80 connecting Vam Cong, Hon Chong seaport in Kien Luong District and the Duong Dong international seaport, once completed, are expected to help the province attract more investment, he said.

The province recently issued licences to 20 local and foreign projects with a combined investment of VND43.35 trillion (US$1.86 billion) and signed memorandums of understanding with a number of businesses for feasibility studies for 36 others worth over VND150 trillion ($6.46 billion).

The projects are in renewable energy, waste and wastewater treatment, hi-tech agriculture, logistics and tourism property.

Capitalise on resources

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has hailed the province’s efforts to attract investment, noting that in terms of the quality of investment it is one of the top localities nation-wide.

He urged the province to capitalise on its comparative natural advantages and sea-oriented economy and promote its unique agricultural resources and unique and world-class tropical tourism to become one of the most dynamic, innovative and wealthy provinces in the country.

With its geographic advantages, Phuc said, “Kien Giang’s economy can develop based on three pillars: high-quality agriculture adapted to climate change, clean fish farming and processing targeting the high-end market segment and eco-tourism of international standards.”

The marine economy would be a key growth driver along with the border economy and the breakthrough in the development of Phu Quoc, he said.

“With the unique position of Phu Quoc, we need to have a vision to turn it into a world-class resort tourism centre.”

However, in the process of planning for the development of Kien Giang in general and Phu Quoc in particular, it is necessary to ensure the quality of the land, water and air and not destroy the environment and nature for short-term benefit, he warned.

The Government would help the province achieve its socio-economic targets and guarantee the legal rights of businesses and investors in the province are protected, he promised. — VNS