The Ministry of Planning and Investment on June 25 announced an overall socio-economic development plan by 2020 of the northern key economic region, in which GDP per capita is targeted at 5,500 USD, the Saigon Giai phong daily reported.

The plan was approved by the Prime Minister in January this year with visions until 2030.

The area consists of two sub-regions, namely an urban zone including Hanoi and the provinces of Vinh Phuc, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen and Hai Duong, and a coastal zone encompassing Hai Phong city and Quang Ninh province.

Hanoi will be developed into a financial and banking center at international level.

Under the plan, by 2020, agro-aqua-forestry sector will account for 5.5 percent of GDP while industry and construction will occupy 49 percent. It is determined to hit 45.4 percent for services.

The area’s export value will account for 32 percent of the country’s total.

With regard to culture and social affairs, it is expected to have 80-85 percent of workers trained, annually cut down the rate of poor households by 2 percent and reach 80 percent of communes meeting national standards regarding health services.

In terms of services and tourism development, the economic area prioritises spiritual cultural tourism and will accelerate services exports, upgrade infrastructure and create a healthy business environment along with strengthening finance-banking services with the focus on turning Hanoi into a prestigious finance-banking centre meeting international standards.

The region pays heed to developing industries of strength and capable of integrating into the global value supply such as information technology, telecommunications, machine manufacturing, shipbuilding, garment and textiles, among others.

Industries with high technology and low emissions, and the industrialisation of agriculture are also now a top priority.-VNA