At the event (Photo: VNA)The southern province of Kien Giang should develop tourism as its local economic spearhead, while cooperating with other localities in the Mekong Delta in socio-economic development.
Speaking at the province’s 10th Party Congress on October 16, Politburo member and permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Le Hong Anh suggested Kien Giang pay heed to developing its marine economy – especially sea and island tourism.
It is necessary to expand export markets and expedite the implementation of projects to deal with climate change and sea level rise, he said.
He urged local authorities to facilitate the completion of the Phu Quoc Economic Zone project and develop Phu Quoc island district into a tourism hub, which is expected to create new momentum for development in the province and the whole Mekong Delta region.
The province should pay more attention to improving the living standards of people in the border, island, remote and ethnic minority areas, while consolidating defence and security, and maintaining political stability, social order and safety, he noted.
Kien Giang was told to build border lines of peace and friendship with Cambodia, particularly bordering Cambodian provinces, to boost socio-economic development and safeguard the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
According to a political report delivered at the congress, the province’s economy recorded annual average growth of 10.53 percent. In 2015, its per capita income reached over 2,500 USD, twice that of 2010.
Kien Giang has boosted investment in tourism, especially on Phu Quoc island, to post a 17.79 percent increase in the number of tourists and a 43 percent rise in revenue per year.
The sea-based economy accounts for 75.6 percent of the local gross domestic product (GDP).
The province has completed many key projects such as the Phu Quoc International Airport, roads to Phu Quoc and Hon Tre islands, and the Cai Lon and Cai Be bridges.
More than 97 percent of local households are connected to the national grid and more than 96 percent use clean water.
The locality has attracted more than 38 foreign direct investment projects worth over 2.92 billion USD, meaning it ranks second in the delta.
The poverty rate has fallen to 2.73 percent, and more than 33,000 people have been given jobs annually.-VNA
