The southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau has reported solid growth in the first seven months of the year.

Speaking at a Government meeting on August 14 to assess the socio-economic and security situation, deputy director of the provincial Department of Planning and Investment Nguyen Van Dang said industrial growth in the period was 8.25 per cent.

Tax collection rose by 24.4 per cent year-on-year to VND46.68 trillion (US$2.03 billion).

The province had attracted $1.91 billion worth of FDI in 32 new projects and 12 others that had increased their capital.

It also granted licences to 29 domestic projects with total registered capital of VND13.62 trillion ($584.3 million).

Officials from departments, agencies and localities discussed the steps they should take to achieve socio-economic targets set for the rest of the year.

Accordingly, the province will continue to focus on administrative reform, improving the capacity and service quality of its administrative apparatus, improving its investment climate and its position in the provincial competitiveness index, successfully organising the Ba Ria-Vung Tau Sea Festival to be held from August 28 to September 5, and other tasks.

The province held another meeting on the same day to discuss the implementation of key projects in Vung Tau, with Nguyen Hong Linh, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the People’s Council, chairing it.

Hoang Vu Thanh, vice chairman of the city People’s Committee, said many key works like dredging the Ben Dinh Canal, upgrading Bai Sau Beach and improving technical infrastructure at the Phuoc Thang Handicraft and Small-scale Industry Park, Chi Linh Area, Bau Trung Cultural Park and New Urban Area, Bau Sen Park, Go Lang-Long Son Urban Area, and DIC Star Tourism Complex have begun.

Delegates suggested that city authorities and the province’s relevant departments and agencies should have closer co-operation in carrying out the projects to clear obstacles and speed up work on key projects. — VNS