The central province of Thua Thien-Hue plans to attract investments worth 2.5 trillion VND to 3 trillion VND (119.05 million USD) to 142.86 million USD) and generate jobs for 1,000 to 1,500 new workers this year.

Provincial People's Committee Vice Chairman Phan Ngoc Tho said local authorities will hand over cleared sites in industrial zones (IZs) to investors, while considering this a priority in luring investments during 2015.

Further, the province will concentrate on the development of infrastructure, including traffic projects, electricity and water, along with waste treatment and fire prevention systems. It will also support investors in training the labour force.

According to the provincial IZs management board, the IZs have attracted 92 investment projects, with a total registered capital of some 19.59 trillion VND (932.86 million USD).

About 38 percent of this amount, or 7.40 trillion VND (352.38 million USD), have been disbursed, including 3.43 trillion VND (163.33 million USD) by foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprises.

Last year, the IZs generated revenues valued at 13.03 trillion VND (620.48 million USD), up 18 percent over the previous year, with the total number workers of nearly 17,100.

Thua Thien-Hue has four IZs, including the 185ha Phu Bai zone, which has been built on by 28 companies and will be expanded with an additional area of some 118ha.

They also comprise the Tu Ha and Phong Thu parks, each covering an area of 100ha. Just the Chan May-Lang Co economic zone has created jobs for about 6,000 labourers, and is requiring up to 24,700 workers this year, and 70,000 by 2020.

Tho said accelerating vocational training to assure the availability of skilled workers is necessary for a variety of sectors, including agriculture, forestry and aquaculture. He also mentioned fields such as handicrafts and mechanical goods production, as well as food processing.-VNA