The southern province of Kien Giang has grown by an average of 11.4 percent over the past five years, with marine-based economy making up 75.6 percent of its gross domestic product.

Since 2011, Kien Giang has invested 111 trillion VND (5.2 billion USD) in its marine-based economy, 30 percent of which was sourced from the state budget and 5 percent from foreign investment.

The province has upgraded its transport and irrigational infrastructure, including fishing ports, storm-proof docks, industrial complexes, and tourism facilities, among others, said Deputy Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Le Khac Ghi at a March 4 meeting reviewing the 2011-2015 marine economy development.

It has thus far attracted 312 projects in coastal areas worth over 138 trillion VND (6.5 billion USD), including 98 currently operational projects, such as the Vinpearl Phu Quoc eco-tourism complex, Trung Son seafood processing factory, and Metro Cash & Carry Vietnam.

Over 9 trillion VND (428 million USD) has been channelled into socio-economic infrastructure in coastal areas and islands, including seaports in Phu Quoc, Ha Tien and An Minh districts, the first stage of the Phu Quoc international seaport, an 11-kilovolt submarine power cable linking Ha Tien with Phu Quoc, and a number of power facilities in island communes.

The coastal industrial parks Thach Loc (Chau Thanh district) and Thuan Yen (Ha Tien district) have lured dozens of production and processing projects.

The tourism sector attracted 242 investors with over 1.8 trillion VND (80 million USD) in capital, mostly in Phu Quoc island.

The province developed a fleet of over 4,600 offshore fishing vessels, weaning its reliance on coastal fishing. The total output of sea catch and aquaculture averages over 600,000 tonnes annually.

Looking forward, the province will seek government funding to work on a 200-plus kilometre system of embankments, roads and protective forests along the coastline in response to climate change.

It will also request additional assistance in adopting technological advances in sustainable aquaculture development while offering State incentives to attract investors.-VNA