Quang Ninh’s economic growth to reach over 10 pct in 2017

An electricity line in Quang Ninh province - Illustrative image - Photo: VNA

Production in the coal, electricity, and cement industries and other fields is hoped to thrive in the last three months of this year thanks to favourable weather.

To achieve growth of over 10 percent, Quang Ninh has devised numerous measures, focusing on collecting local budget funds, controlling budget spending, and reforming administrative procedures.

The locality will also work to remove difficulties for businesses and hasten the construction of infrastructure projects at industrial and economic zones and transport infrastructure facilities as well as create trust among investors and people.

In the first nine months of this year, the province gained important outcomes in various fields, with growth rising by 9.7 percent with the economic structure shifting to services.

The business investment environment and competitiveness were improved, total social investment capital increased 9.5 percent and State budget collection fulfilled 73 percent of the yearly estimate.

Quang Ninh has a coastline of more than 250 kilometres and some 2,000 islets which account for two-thirds of the total in Vietnam. The spectacular stretch of coast connects the UNESCO-recognised World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay with majestic natural scenery, Bai Tu Long Bay, Van Don and Co To islands and Tra Co beach with Cat Ba National Park in the northern port city of Hai Phong.

Along with the renowned Ha Long Bay, Quan Lan, Minh Chau, Ngoc Vung, Dai beaches in Van Don island district and Tra Co and Vinh Thuc in Mong Cai city have grown in stature among tourists thanks to their breathtaking seas and coral reefs.

Under a plan for tourism development in Quang Ninh, the province hopes to become an international tourism centre and a leading tourism destination in Vietnam with modern infrastructure and diverse, competitive tourism products.

By 2020, Quang Ninh aims to welcome 15-16 million tourists, including seven million foreigners, and rake in 30-40 trillion VND (1.3-1.7 billion USD) in revenue. The tourism sector is expected to contribute 14-15 percent to the gross regional domestic product.

In 2016, Quang Ninh welcomed 8.3 million tourist arrivals, a year-on-year increase of seven percent, and earned over 13 trillion VND (571 million USD) in revenue, up 23 percent, according to the Quang Ninh Department of Tourism.

Notably, the world natural heritage site of Ha Long Bay welcomed 6.3 million tourists and grossed 7.7 trillion VND (over 338 million USD) in revenue, representing respective increases of 14 percent and 65 percent from the previous year. About 2.7 million of the visitors were foreigners, year-on-year growth of 16 percent.