The international integration of Vietnam’s maritime economy was discussed at a forum held in the northern port city of Hai Phong on June 6 by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

The forum, the sixth of its kind, is one of the main activities of the 2014 Vietnam Sea and Islands Week

Addressing the event, Deputy Minister Chu Pham Ngoc Hien said that Vietnam has always placed a high priority on expanding its sea-based economic sector in its socio-economic development strategy.

By 2020, the maritime economy is expected to generate about 53-55 percent of the country’s GDP and 55-60 percent of its total export earnings.

Vietnam always wishes to receive support from the international community in developing its maritime economy and safeguarding its sovereignty, sovereign right and jurisdiction over its sea and islands, Hien stated.

According to him, the forum also examined a project on international maritime cooperation until 2020, which aims to increase the competitiveness of the Vietnamese sea brand globally.

Vice Chairman of the Hai Phong municipal People’s Committee, Do Trung Thoai, said that the forum provided a great opportunity for domestic and international organisations, State management agencies, scientists and businesses to share information and experience in this issue.

Symposiums and exhibitions affirming Vietnam’s sovereignty over Truong Sa (Spratly) and Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelagoes were also held during the forum.-VNA