Creating a favorable environment to attract investment

(Baonghean) - The open investment attraction environment combined with the active participation of relevant levels and sectors, as well as the support of the people... the appearance of Cua Lo coastal urban area is increasingly improving, leaving a good impression in the hearts of tourists. To better understand this issue, Nghe An Newspaper had an interview with Mr. Vo Van Hung - Vice Chairman of Cua Lo Town People's Committee.

Reporter:Investment attraction is one of the important areas for socio-economic development of Cua Lo town. So can you tell us about the results of the town's investment attraction in recent times?

Many resorts in Cua Lo town have been invested to attract tourists. Photo: Xuan Nhuong

Comrade Vo Van Hung:With a favorable geographical location and favorable natural conditions, along with the efforts and correct decisions of the Party Committee and the town government in improving the investment environment, in recent times, investment attraction has had many positive changes, attracting many large projects, such as: In the field of production and business, there are Vinamilk Milk Factory project, Trang An Confectionery Factory. In the field of tourism - services, there is the Muong Thanh Cua Lo Hotel Project with 4-star standards with 249 rooms; Summer Hotel with 4-star standards with 250 rooms; Saigon Kim Lien Resort Hotel with more than 80 rooms; Cua Lo Golf Resort with 18-hole Golf course; Project "Lan Chau - Song Ngu Eco-tourism Complex, Resort Villas, Sports, Entertainment"; The complex of hotels, entertainment areas and resort villas of Vingroup Corporation in Cua Hoi, with a total investment of 900 billion VND, includes a resort villa area, a 5-storey 5-star hotel, a restaurant area and a marina reception house along with a number of other amenities; the land area used is 38.75 hectares. The construction started in July 2016 and some items will be put into operation in May 2017.

In the field of transportation, the project to build wharf No. 5,6 at Cua Lo Port of Tuan Loc Company with a total investment of 1,180 billion VND has been attracted; Cua Hoi Bridge Project, with a total investment of more than 1,000 billion VND in the form of PPP with a main route length of about 2.3 km, the project, when completed and put into use, will connect with Provincial Road 535, Lam River road with Nghi Xuan district, Ha Tinh province, connecting with National Highway 8B (DT541 route), coastal national highway; Vinh - Cua Lo Boulevard; Tourist complex and villas, luxury apartments in Nghi Huong...

Reporter:How effective are those projects in promoting socio-economic development in the area, sir?

Comrade Vo Van Hung:It can be affirmed that attracting many investment projects in the area has contributed significantly to changing the face of Cua Lo coastal urban area, turning the town from a coastal town in 1994 into the first coastal tourist urban area of ​​the country according to Decision No. 2355/QD - TTg dated December 25, 2014 of the Prime Minister; becoming a tourist center of the province, the North Central region and one of the tourist centers of the country.

In 1994, after the town was established, the physical facilities and technical infrastructure were still weak. The whole town had only 8 hotels and 4 motels with 400 rooms and 900 beds. Up to now, there are 288 establishments, of which 45 hotels have been ranked; the traffic system is relatively synchronous, with many long asphalt roads: National Highway 46, Cua Hoi Road 535, Lam River Road, Binh Minh Road, Sao Nam Road and other cross-roads; there are 119 administrative units, more than 300 enterprises; many central and provincial agencies are located in the area. Cua Lo Port now has 22,300 tons of ships entering and exiting conveniently.

Previously, the town's economy was mainly fisheries and agriculture. Now, tourism services account for a large proportion and have become the town's key economic sector: Agriculture, forestry and fisheries: 6%; Industry - Construction: 30.8%; Services: 63.2%.

In 2015, the town's tourism revenue reached 2,260 billion VND, with a total of more than 2.4 million visitors. Annual budget revenue increased: In 1994, the total budget revenue of Cua Lo town reached more than 1,565 million VND, in 2015 the total budget revenue was estimated at 268 billion VND, an increase of 171 times, and in 2016 the town strived to collect 277 billion VND (to date, the budget revenue and expenditure have been balanced). The average income per capita of the town after its establishment reached 5 million VND/person, and now it has reached over 60 million VND, an increase of 12 times.

Thanks to attracting investment, especially in the field of tourism and services, many jobs have been created for the people; annually creating jobs for more than 1,000 people; the service labor industry has 8,200 workers. The poverty rate of the town is the lowest in the province, in 1994 it was 35%, in 2015: 2.55%.

Reporter:Obviously, with the attention, support of all levels, sectors and efforts, Cua Lo town has achieved positive results in attracting investment, but in order for Cua Lo town to develop more strongly, what solutions do you think are needed?

Comrade Vo Van Hung:To attract investment, the town implements synchronous solutions and always supplements mechanisms and policies suitable for each stage and specific conditions: creating open and favorable mechanisms for businesses regarding administrative procedures, compensation for site clearance, land, tax policies... and difficulties and problems of investors are always resolved quickly and decisively with a spirit of urgency, creating the most optimal conditions for investors. Ensuring the best security for investors in production and business, for tourists when visiting and relaxing in the town. At the same time, enhancing the responsibility of cadres, civil servants, and managers in performing public duties; enhancing the application of information technology in management and operation, providing full information to businesses and investors; regularly organizing investment promotion conferences in the spring to attract investment.

A 23,000-ton ship docks at Cua Lo Port. Photo: Hoang Vinh

Continue to call for investors and concentrate capital to complete the infrastructure system: Crossroads No. 4 and No. 5, expand Sao Nam Street and Nguyen Hue Street. Complete the construction of Wharf No. 5, No. 6, No. 7, Cua Hoi Bridge, build a bridge across Wharf No. 2 of Cua Lo Port, Nghi Hai Fishing Port, develop tourism on Ngu Island. Expand administrative boundaries...

To help investors feel secure in implementing projects in the area, Cua Lo town commits to accompany and stand side by side with businesses during the project implementation process and is determined to build Cua Lo town into a bright spot in attracting investment.

Reporter:Thank you, comrade!

Hoang Vinh(Perform)