PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc tells Quang Binh to focus on tourism

The central province of Quang Binh should consider tourism-services, high-tech agriculture and processing industry as driving forces for growth.
Speaking at the investment promotion conference themed co-operation and sustainable development held in the province on Monday, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said the province would achieve new development thank to its advantages, along with innovative thinking.
PM Phuc said Quang Binh was considered a “blue diamond” of Asia which should be preserved.
“Quang Binh Province therefore should have standard planning of its economic sector in order to serve the economy, create connections for common development,” he said, adding the Government would always support the province’s development.
Addressing the conference, which attracted more than 700 foreign and domestic firms and investors, the PM said he was impressed by the 71 per cent increase in the number of tourist arrivals in Quang Binh last year and the 110 per cent increase in foreign arrivals.
The PM asked the Transport Ministry to study a plan to upgrade Dong Hoi Airport into an international one that allows foreigners to enter and leave the country using e-visas.
The leader said Quang Binh tourism, famous for its caves, along with natural and cultural diversity in Hạ Long, Sa Pa, Hue ancient capital city, Quang Nam and the Mekong Delta, will help Viet Nam become a tourism magnet beyond ASEAN.
He suggested the province further develop its tourism services while preserving and upholding cultural and natural values, working closely with other localities to move Viet Nam’s tourism forward.
The PM also lauded Quang Binh, together with Ha Tinh and Quang Tri provinces, as examples of overcoming difficulties following the marine environment incident of 2016.
To achieve development goals, the PM urged Quang Binh to not only perform well in State management but also listen to public feedback and continue improving its business environment.
Provincial authorities need to acquire feedback, especially regarding preservation of heritage values, and choose qualified investors to help Quang Binh shine in the world’s tourism map.
The PM requested each business commitment in the province go along with drastic and prompt actions. Hailing Quang Binh’s important location in both national and international aspects, he said the province should not neglect its strength in forestry development and high-tech agriculture.
The PM added that the province also holds advantages in developing renewable energy, with about 1,800 hours of sunlight each year and average wind speed of 5.5 – 6m per second. At the same time, the Government leader reminded the province to pay more attention to poverty reduction, especially among ethnic minority groups.
More than US$7.34 billion committed
The province awarded investment licences and co-operation deals for 66 projects worth nearly VNĐ169 trillion (more than US$7.34 billion) at the conference.
It also handed over a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on co-operation in building Quang Binh’s e-government for the Viet Nam Posts and Telecommunications Group and the Viet Nam Military Industry and Telecoms Group.
The Ministry of Information and Communications also granted a MoU on co-operation in developing Quang Binh’s e-government to a representative from provincial authorities.
This year, the province is prioritising projects in tourism - services, high-tech, renewable energy and green agriculture.
It has partnered with McKinsey and Company Ltd, a leading US consultant firm, to build a master plan on provincial socio-economic development.
“This has been considered the biggest event in Quang Binh so far the year which was expected to create an investment wave into the locality,” said Nguyen Huu Hoai, chairman of the provincial People’s Committee.
Hoai added that Quang Binh has a strategic location in the East-West Economic Corridor as well as the eastern gateway to the sea of central Laos, northeastern Thailand and Myanmar.
The province also boasts a favourable transport system of road, railway, International Dong Hoi Airport and Hon La Seaport..