Gov’t leader urges rapid industrialisation in Thanh Hoa province

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Local officials reported that in 2018, Thanh Hoa recorded the gross regional domestic product (GRDP) of 15.16%, the fastest-ever pace, with industry and construction making up the biggest proportion in its economy – 44%. Per capita income is estimated at US$1,999, up 1.3-fold from 2015.

With big investments in infrastructure, the province has enjoyed breakthroughs in tourism. It welcomed about 8.25 million tourist arrivals, including 230,000 foreigners, and earned over VND10.6 trillion (US$453.7 million) from the sector this year. That has helped the visitor number and tourism revenue respectively increase by 14.3% and 27% annually.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (second, right) presents a gift to Thanh Hoa authorities at the working session on December 23.

Meanwhile, budget revenue rises by about 12.3 percent each year, reaching some VND23.5 trillion (US$1 billion) in 2018 – up 2.1 times from 2015.

PM Phuc said Thanh Hoa has developed rather comprehensively over the last three years. He lauded efforts by provincial authorities and relevant ministries and sectors to put the Nghi Son refinery and petrochemical complex, worth 9 billion USD, into commercial operation.

He also pointed out that local growth has yet to match potential, and the number of big enterprises investing here is still modest.

The most important solution is enhancing unity among authorities and the public since this is the source of strength, he noted.

Aside from accelerating industrialisation, the PM also requested Thanh Hoa develop important infrastructure systems while expanding forest coverage in western areas and applying science-technology in agriculture.

Stressing the decisive role of human resources, he said if over 2 million people of working age in the province are well trained, they will become a great driving force of development.

The Government leader also told Thanh Hoa to improve the investment climate, noting that this is an “easier said than done” issue. Additionally, it needs to ensure people will be the biggest beneficiary of investment attraction.

The province has rich culture and history as well as a strategic economic location, which is the great potential that local administration and residents must capitalise on to boost development, PM Phuc added.

Later on December 23, PM Phuc attended a ceremony marking the commercial operation of the Nghi Son petrochemical complex.

The Nghi Son oil refinery and petrochemical project has been carried out since 2013 with a total investment capital of over US$9 billion.

It is invested by a consortium of Kuwait International Petrochemical Company (KPC, 35.1%), and the Japanese firms Idemitsui Kosan (IKC, 35.1%) and Mitsui Chemicals (MCI, 4.7%). The rest is contributed by the state-run Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam).

On December 22, the leader visited the special national relic site of Lam Kinh in Xuan Lam commune of Tho Xuan district – the hometown of national hero Le Loi, who led the Lam Son uprising against the Ming invaders in the 15th century. After the victory of the 10-year uprising in 1428, Le Loi became king and named the country Dai Viet.

The same day, the PM visited the Lam Son Sugar JSC and the construction site of Tho Xuan Airport in Tho Xuan district.