Marine economy must develop commensurate with its potential.

(Baonghean.vn)- "C"All sectors, units and localities need to clearly identify difficulties and limitations, and find solutions to promote marine economic development commensurate with its potential." That was the opinion of Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Ngoc Hoa at the meeting to listen to and give opinions on the report on the results of 10 years of implementing Resolution 4 of the 10th Central Committee (10th tenure) on Vietnam's marine strategy to 2020.

Overview of the working session. Photo: KL

The Resolution of the 4th Conference of the 10th Party Central Committee on Vietnam's Marine Strategy was concretized by the 16th Nghe An Provincial Party Committee in Resolution No. 16/NQ/TU dated December 12, 2007 with the goal of improving all aspects of economic and cultural life of coastal residents with the protection of ecological resources and environment, regeneration and development of resources, ensuring sustainable socio-economic and environmental development, contributing to firmly protecting the sovereignty of sea and islands.

Representatives of the Department of Planning and Investment presented the draft report on 10 years of implementing Resolution 4 of the Central Committee (10th tenure) on Vietnam's Marine Strategy. Photo: KL

After 10 years of implementation, the coastal economy has shifted in the right direction and developed quite comprehensively with a full range of industries. Among them, there are many industries that are driving forces for development (such as marine tourism, exploitation, fishing, seafood processing, port services, etc.), contributing greatly to the province's GDP (increasing from 49.83% in 2006 to 51.33% in 2016).

Cua Lo Beach attracts a large number of tourists to relax during the April 30 - May 1 holiday. Photo: Archive

Tourism alone has become a key economic sector in coastal areas with revenue in 2016 alone reaching 3,630 billion VND, an average increase of 15.49% annually. The proportion of tourists to coastal areas accounts for about 80% of total tourists to Nghe An.

Offshore fishing has developed most strongly since the implementation of Decree 67 of the Prime Minister. In 2014, there was only 1 ship participating in the exploitation of Hoang Sa waters, but by 2016, there were 33 ships. In 2015 and 2016, the provincial budget supported the construction of new fishing vessels with main engine capacity of 400CV or more with an amount of more than 20 billion VND.

Bustling fishing boats return to Lach Quen. Photo: Archive

The economic infrastructure of the coastal area is highly concentrated, the main traffic routes have basically been covered. Besides upgrading Cua Lo port to ensure the smooth entry and exit of 30,000-ton ships, the province has been focusing on attracting investment in building Dong Hoi port cluster, Cua Lo deep-water port, Vissai cement port and many road projects in coastal areas including Vinh - Cua Lo boulevard, coastal road...

The coastal urban infrastructure system has developed rapidly (Vinh City has been upgraded to a class I urban area; Cua Lo has been recognized as a coastal tourist urban area; Hoang Mai town has been established...); national defense and security in coastal areas have been strengthened and maintained.

The socio-cultural fields in coastal areas have made much progress. Through programs and investment projects for socio-economic development, the number of coastal and offshore workers who have jobs is increasing every year, with an average of 12,000-13,000 jobs created each year.

At the meeting, delegates contributed many opinions, recommendations and proposals on solutions to overcome shortcomings and limitations in the implementation of Vietnam's Marine Strategy.

Hoang Mai town representative said that to promote economic activities in coastal areas, there should be concentrated investment instead of scattered investment, in addition, it is necessary to pay attention to the issue of pollution in aquaculture areas such as shrimp farming areas.

Quynh Luu district leaders commented: The marine strategy needs to clearly identify the key points to focus on implementation solutions, including upgrading essential infrastructure to serve the marine economy, including marine tourism. The representative of Nghe An Border Guard Command suggested that the report should have a clearer assessment of the existing problems and limitations in ensuring the marine environment because this is an important content in implementing the marine strategy. At the same time, attention should be paid to the issue of patrolling and controlling security at sea...

Regarding the implementation of Decree 67, the representative of the State Bank of Vietnam, Nghe An branch, requested the Provincial People's Committee to recommend the Government to continue to complete the remaining issues to support the people (specifically, promptly issue amendments to the implementation time of Decree 67 and remove difficulties in implementing insurance policies for fishing boat owners).

Vinpearl Cua Hoi (Cua Lo) hotel project has been basically completed and put into operation. Photo: Archive

Concluding the meeting, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Ngoc Hoa emphasized that the sea and coastal areas hold an important position not only for Nghe An but also for the North Central region, as a bridge for international exchange and integration activities. Therefore, in order to continue to better implement the Central Resolution 4 (Session X) on Vietnam's Marine Strategy to 2020, sectors and units need to delve into the fields, especially the contents related to mechanisms and policies; clearly identify obstacles and limitations, find solutions to promote the development of the marine economy commensurate with the potential, especially issues related to the implementation of Decree 67 of the Government on fisheries development.

The province will propose to ministries, branches and the Government appropriate mechanisms to implement the marine strategy in the new situation.

The Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee also assigned the Department of Planning and Investment - the presiding agency to receive comments and complete the report before submitting it to the Provincial People's Committee, the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee, and the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee for consideration.

Khanh Ly