The Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Kien Giang aims to mobilise VND215 trillion (US$ 9.5 billion) for socio-economic development by 2020 and VND 1,000 trillion (US$ 45 billion) by 2030.

The adjusted target was recently approved by the PM as part of a master plan to 2020 and towards 2030 for the province.

Pham Vu Hong, chairman of the province’s People’s Committee, said that Kien Giang targeted becoming a well-developed locality and a transportation and tourism service destination in the Mekong Delta, and a development hub of the southern key economic region.

As part of the target, Kien Giang will adjust and improve the quality of its planning activities and its master plans and plans for specific sectors such as tourism, agriculture, aquaculture and industry.

It will also create favourable conditions for enterprises to upgrade technologies and access markets at home and abroad, and credits, as well as offer training to labourers.

The province aims for an average Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) of 7.5-8 per cent per year by 2020 and 8-9 per cent per year in the 2020-30 period, an average income per capita of around $3,000 and a poverty rate of below 3 per cent by 2020, according to Hong.

With the population of more than 1.8 million, the authorities will try to create jobs for 38,000 residents per year as well as achieve a 67 per cent training rate from now to 2020.

Tourism will become a key economic sector with investment in construction of key tourism areas like Ha Tien, Rach Gia and U Minh Thuong National Park.

Also, Phu Quoc Island will become a center of modern, high quality tourism services, and international trade in the region.

The province is striving to hit 10 million tourists by 2020.

It is striving to improve quality of transport services, while promoting its advantageous geographical location and natural conditions of the province

This will help improve transport system of waterways and the marine economy.

To meet this target, the province has drawn up measures to improve its investment environment, which includes establishing one-stop shop administrative procedures for granting investment licences and improving connectivity with other provinces and cities.

The province also plans to have modern infrastructure in both rural and urban areas; invest in infrastructure of industrial zones and clusters to attract investment; upgrade transportation systems; modernise communication systems; improve electrrical power and safe water supply; and address environmental pollution.

It will also invest in key products and sectors, particularly agriculture and tourism, to create long-term advantages for the province.

In addition, the province will hasten urbanisation, and develop central urban and outlying areas, as well as rural residential areas.

The plan also calls for a focus on high quality human resources and on fostering scientific and technological potential to meet international integration needs.

Vocational training institutions will also be improved to meet the demand of the province and other localities.

Last year, Kien Giang attracted 690 domestic projects worth VND451.5 trillion. Of this, 321 projects are in operation, accounting for 31 per cent of the registered capital.

The province has attracted 41 FDI projects from 19 countries and territories with a total registered capital of $1.44 billion, of which 37 per cent has been disbursed. — VNS