Da Nang should strongly and sustainably boost socio-economic development, especially in hi-tech business, tourism and the poverty alleviation, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung told the central city's administration on April 14.

PM Dung said the central city had already achieved good results in construction, planning and infrastructure investment.

"The city has successfully changed its economic structure, of which tourism and services accounted for nearly 68 percent. Budget collection and exports have also grown well in the first quarter," PM Dung said.

He said the city should overcome any difficulties and promote its socio-economic development in coming years.

The prime minister also assigned ministries and agencies to co-operate with Da Nang administration to develop proposals and plans for infrastructure development.

This includes roads, airports, seaports, railways, metro system, sporting complexes, an international convention centre, student village, biology institute centre, hospital expansions, the Vietnam-UK University and seeking funds for the East-West Economic Corridor which links Laos, Thailand, Myanmar and Vietnam.

He also agreed with Da Nang on developing Public Private Partnership (PPP) model projects, but he warned the city to be cautious with Building-Transfer projects.

The city has earned 2.64 trillion VND (126 million USD) for the state budget revenue in the first quarter, of which VND1.7 trillion was from taxes and fees. The city also earned 235 million USD from exports.

Chairman of the city's People's Committee, Van Huu Chien, also proposed that the prime minister create more support for the city with Official Development Aid (ODA) projects and funds for a hi-tech park.

The city also requested the Government to supply 50 percent of funds to build high power vessels for local fishermen.

Last week, the prime minister agreed on the city's adjusted master urban plan for 2030 until 2050, which will help build the city as a centre of sports, education, science and technology for the central and Central Highlands region.

Da Nang is situated in the central region of Vietnam and at the end of the East-West Economic Corridor – linking Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.

This year, the city has attracted 285 FDI projects with a capital of 3.32 billion USD.

During his working visit to the Song Thu shipyard Corporation on April 14, Prime Minister Dung also praised the endeavours of staff and engineers.

He also urged the corporation to raise its potential to contribute to the country's shipyard industry development.

The corporation, which is a major ship builder in Vietnam, has exported 24 vessels, including fast crew supply ships, rescue ships, salvage tugs, drive tugs and patrol boats, for the Middle East, South America, Europe and domestic markets. Last year, annual exports totalled 55 million USD. The ship builder earned 71 million USD in revenue last year.-VNA