The central province of Quang Binh would continue to develop its infrastructure as part of its effort to attract investors, said provincial investment promotion office director Nguyen Dinh.

"Administrative reform, faster land clearance and better human resources training are also part of that effort," Dinh said.

The number of investors interested in Quang Binh has increased significantly in recent years due to the province's efforts to improve its business climate. Last year alone, it attracted 46 projects, including two already-licensed projects worth 557 billion VND (29 million USD) and 10 others pending approval with combined budgets of over 2.54 trillion VND (134 million USD).

This brought the total number of projects registered in the province to 210, worth a total of 82.49 trillion VND (4.34 billion USD).

" Dong Hoi Airport , which began operations in 2008, and the first phase of the Hon La port project should attract the attention of even more investors," Dinh said. "Fostering the implementation of several key projects, including the 4 billion USD Hon La Thermoelectric Plant and the 1 trillion VND (53 million USD) second phase of the Hon La Port, will be priorities for the province this year."

Among its many advantages, Quang Binh has titanium, gold and lead deposits and a developing mining industry that already extends to limestone, clay, marble and granite extraction. This year, the province's development strategy will focus on the production of construction materials (including cement), seafood and wood processing, and electronics production./.