An Thoi Port in Phu Quoc Island (Photo: VNA)
Kien Giang (VNA) – With 200 kilometers of coastline and 143 islands, the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang holds great potential to develop a marine economy.
Proper investment was poured into seafood, tourism, marine transport, fishing services, and the seafood processing industry, thus helping the province rank 3rd in the delta in terms of maritime economic development.
The sea-based economic sector contributed to over 75 percent of the local gross domestic product (GDP) in 2015. The GDP per capita in the year doubled that of 2010 to reach around 3,000 USD.
As of 2015, the province drew over 300 investment projects into coastal and island regions, with a total registered capital of over 138 trillion VND (6.21 billion USD).
A number of projects were put into operation such as the Vinpearl Phu Quoc eco-tourism resort, Phu Quoc international airport, Bai Vong port, An Thoi international port, and waterway transport systems.
The province also launched new tours and international flights linking Phu Quoc island, which was approved to become a hi-end eco-tourism resort centre in the region and beyond, with foreign countries such as Russia, Singapore, Cambodia, China and the Republic of Korea.
In 2015, the tourism sector greeted 4.3 million visitors, up 50 percent against 2010.
The locality also focused on diversifying aquatic products. Its 23 aquactic processing plants were able to produce over 165,000 tonnes of products per year between 2011 and 2015.
The seafood export turnover in 2015 was valued at 137 million USD, up 20 million USD over 2010.
Despites achievements, Kien Giang needs to outline proper policies to further develop the marine economy. The current application of one common policy in the field has made it difficult to build a marine tourism environment.
In addition to setting up off-shore fishing groups, the province signed agreements with foreign partners to expand fishing grounds.
According to Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Mai Anh Nhin, the province will improve off-shore fishing activities over time.
The province will also devise more support policies for fishermen and call for investment in fishing logistics services at island communes to reduce transport costs.-VNA
