The northern province of Ha Nam has set the goal of expanding industrial production by at least 15 percent a year in the period from 2016 to 2020, according to Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Pham Sy Loi.

The official said at this growth rate, total industrial production value will reach 81 trillion VND (3.76 billion USD) in 2020. Major products will be milk (143 million litres), beer (100 million litres), other beverage (600 million litres), cement (14-15 million tonnes) and electronic appliances (24.5 million items).

The goal for this year was set at 21 trillion VND (almost 1 billion USD), a 22.7 percent rise from 2014.

The province hopes to fill three local industrial parks – Hoa Mac in Duy Tien district, Chau Son in Phu Ly City and Kien Khe in Thanh Liem district -, while increase the occupancy rate at Dong Van III IP in Duy Tien district to 50 percent.

Towards the goals, Vice Chairman Loi said the provincial authorities will continue to pinpoint and remove obstacles for firms’ operation and complete infrastructure and services in industrial parks. Ha Nam is looking for partners to carry out its plan of building a “technology incubator” in a bid to assist local enterprises in accessing new technologies, thus raising their productivity and product quality.

A scheme designed to develop industrial production in rural areas is also underway coupled with efforts to boost industrialization of agriculture.

Ha Nam registers a high industrial growth rate, averaging at least 21 percent a year, during the years from 2011 to 2015, with foreign invested enterprises contributing an important part. As of March 20, 2015, local industrial parks attracted 200 projects, 164 of which have become operational, creating nearly 19,000 jobs.

The province ranked 32nd among the country’s 63 provinces and cities in terms of provincial competitiveness in 2013, a jump of 20 places from the year before.

The authorities said they will make greater efforts to address existing problems, particularly the small portion of manufacturing and hi-tech industries, few investment projects in rural industry and a shortage of skilled labourers.-VNA