Focus on developing trade and services.

(Baonghean) - With the goal of becoming the center of the Northwest region, focusing on the trade and service sector, Thai Hoa town has planned and is concentrating on investing in technical infrastructure with large-scale projects to serve the development needs according to that orientation.

On a 1-hectare plot in the Dong Lay Commercial Zone, the investor – Ha Huy Joint Stock Company – has built a conference and event center with a capacity of nearly 1,000 people. Alongside the main conference hall, the investor has also thoughtfully arranged a relaxation area including greenery, a swimming pool, and refreshment services. With an investment value exceeding 60 billion VND to date, out of a total projected investment of 110 billion VND for the entire project, the investor has created a significant landmark not only for the Doc Gao - Dong Lay commercial and service development zone but also for the entire town. Mr. Ha Huy Qua, Director of Ha Huy Company, stated: "Investing in this area, we see the prospect of Thai Hoa becoming a regional center for commerce and services in the Northwest region." By building a festival center and entertainment facilities, we want to be pioneers to encourage other investors to implement similar projects based on the approved plan, hoping that Thai Hoa will develop faster and stronger.

A variety of services are available in the bustling town center of Thai Hoa.

It can be said that the Ha Huy Company's Festival Center is just one highlight in the series of initiatives to boost the commercial and service development of Thai Hoa Town, aiming to become a regional center in the Northwest. During the 2010-2015 term, Thai Hoa Town focused on implementing planning, attracting investment, and promoting the development of various types of commercial and service activities. As a result, despite the general difficulties, the young town of Thai Hoa experienced relatively rapid growth in this sector, averaging double digits. The average growth rate of production value over the period reached 13.6%. Total retail sales reached 1,015,137 million VND, an increase of 11.4%. These are merely statistical figures; what is most noticeable about Thai Hoa now is its bustling, urban atmosphere, clearly demonstrating its status as a commercial and service center. Not only on Tran Hung Dao Street (the main axis of National Highway 48 through the town), or Hieu Market, the town's central market, but also on all the surrounding streets, the atmosphere of buying and selling is truly vibrant with a diverse range of services and commercial activities.

As the central ward of the town, Hoa Hieu ward, home to Hieu Market, the town's central market, is actively upgrading its facilities to meet development needs. Hieu Market currently occupies nearly 9,000 square meters, with almost 700 households directly engaged in business and trade, playing a crucial role in connecting commerce throughout the region with its inherent bustling activity. The market is currently undergoing upgrades through a capital contribution model by business owners and traders, under the management of the ward's People's Committee, based on an approved master plan. Mr. Nguyen Manh Hung, Chairman of the ward's People's Committee, stated: "In addition to upgrading Hieu Market, the ward is also paying close attention to the development of commerce and services."

During the past term, the trade and service sector accounted for 67% of the economic structure. Therefore, in the coming period, the ward is seriously prioritizing the development of this sector in its plan to achieve the standards of a civilized urban area. Accordingly, many areas under the ward's management are being effectively implemented, such as: the Bau Sen Forest Park area, in coordination with investors, is enhancing various types of services and entertainment to meet the spiritual needs of the people; or the Nga 6 area, which is currently being planned to create green spaces according to the standards of a civilized urban area... "The Ward People's Committee and the political system will focus on coordinating with the town's departments and agencies to effectively carry out land clearance and handover to investors, especially for projects in the trade and service sector implemented in the area," shared Comrade Nguyen Manh Hung.

Besides the vibrant and bustling commercial sector, various types of services such as finance, banking, hotel and restaurant services, and telecommunications services have also developed rapidly, keeping pace with socio-economic growth. Currently, the town has 11 credit institutions with total mobilized capital increasing by 10-15% annually, and total outstanding loans exceeding 2,825 billion VND, meeting the capital needs for production and business investment of the people. The restaurant and hotel service sector also includes 5 hotels recognized by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, 9 guesthouses, and 534 restaurants. The petroleum business system is also evenly distributed with 16 gasoline stations and 19 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stations. Transportation and telecommunication services have also developed widely, effectively meeting the travel and information needs of the people, as well as serving the socio-economic development of the area.

To further develop the economic, trade, and service sectors, befitting the stature of the Northwest region, Thai Hoa Town has set a target for the 2015-2020 period of achieving an average annual growth rate of 14.5%, with a total value of goods circulation in the area reaching 2.8-3 trillion VND. Priority will be given to the development of trade, banking and credit services, education, training, healthcare, postal and telecommunications services, IT, transportation, tourism, and science and technology. Particularly in the commercial service sector, the town will focus on implementing the plan to arrange commercial and service facilities along National Highway 48, National Highway N6, and the main arterial road of the Nga 5 area, including: hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, supermarkets... upgrading and renovating Hieu Market into a specialized market; and renovating and upgrading Nghia Thuan Market to meet the standards of a Class 1 market.

Specifically, to highlight the town's role in commerce and services, the 7-hectare Dong Lay - Goc Gao area will continue to be planned to attract investment, becoming a hub for commercial, service, financial, banking, and comprehensive services with large-scale investment projects; the old bus station area will attract the construction of a commercial center and supermarket; and a new urban area will be developed on the western bank towards Quang Tien ward, linked with commercial and supermarket development... Thus, it can be seen that, with systematic planning and a roadmap for investment creating breakthroughs, the period from 2015 to 2020 promises that Thai Hoa town will succeed in its goal of becoming a regional center in this field. Comrade Pham Van Thach, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Thai Hoa town, said: In the coming time, Thai Hoa town will continue to review registered investment projects, and at the same time, based on the planning, attract projects in the fields of trade and services, giving priority to investors with real capacity to create strong development, creating momentum for Thai Hoa to rise to become a trade and service center of the Northwest region, a field in which the town has many advantages.

Text and photos:Hung Chau