Foreign tourists visit Ta Van commune, Sa Pa district (Photo: VNA)Lao Cai (VNA) – The northern province of Lao Cai aims for an economic growth rate of 10.1 percent next year, with Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) per capita of 45.8 million VND (more than 2,000 USD).
The GRDP per capita this year is estimated at 39.4 million VND, the highest among 12 northwest provinces.
Lao Cai also hopes to welcome 2.45 million tourists in 2016, up 20 percent from 2015.
With the launch of an expressway linking Hanoi capital with Lao Cai province and its favourable geographic location as the gateway of the Kunming-Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong road corridor, the province is geared to strengthen trade and tourism connection with regional nations.
The province has also offered incentives and focused on developing infrastructure to draw investment, thus boosting the local socio-economic development next year.
However, Lao Cai faces great difficulties as State budget allocation is expected to reduce in the years ahead, while the construction of major projects in the province will affect tourism activities.
In addition, with the adjustment of poverty line, the rate of poverty in remote areas is high, estimated at more than 40 percent, requiring suitable policies.-VNA
