Thuan Bac district, the northern gateway of Ninh Thuan province in the Nam Khanh Hoa - Bac Ninh Thuan economic region, holds vast potential. It’s poised for growth in tourism, energy, agriculture and urban development. Despite economic challenges, it has adopted effective strategies for rapid, sustainable progress, paving the way for a bright future.
 Mr. Pham Trong Hung, Chairman of Thuan Bac People's Committee |
Continued economic growth
Mr. Pham Trong Hung, Chairman of Thuan Bac People's Committee, said: In the three years following the enactment of the resolution of the Fourth District Party Congress, Thuan Bac district has faced and overcome numerous unprecedented challenges. United by a spirit of solidarity and driven by a collective aspiration for growth, the Party, the government, and the people of Thuan Bac have successfully achieved three out of the thirteen set targets, while maintaining progress on the remaining ones as per the established roadmap. The district has witnessed an average annual growth of 20.6% in industrial production value. The budget revenue has reached a commendable VND171 billion, and the total social investment has been valued at VND11,407 billion. The Du Long Industrial Park has been successful in attracting investors and creating employment opportunities for local workers. Investments have been made in the Loi Hai commune to elevate it to meet fifth-grade urban standards. The district has also made significant strides in poverty alleviation, with the poverty rate decreasing by 4.42% annually. Furthermore, three out of the six communes have successfully met their new rural development standards.
On agricultural - forestry - aquatic production development, Thuan Bac district focuses on enhancing the performance of well-invested irrigation systems to enable localities to expand cultivation areas, adopt new high-quality varieties, apply scientific and technical advances to production and scale up mechanized production. The district also gives prioritized investment for building new production models, with focus placed on restructuring production by unlocking local and regional advantages. The locality also steps up crop conversion and encourages contractual production between companies and farmers.
Hence, the district's agricultural production has kept growing well, on average rising 20.7% a year (higher than the target of 15.4% stated in the resolution). Agricultural production has been consistently modernized, with increased productivity, quality, value and competitiveness of agricultural products; the ecological environment protected; and food security ensured. Seven highly effective linkage chains have been formed (six crop cultivation chains covering 890 hectares of land and one livestock farming chain). Typically, a contractual cooperation model was formed by Son Phat Agricultural Service Cooperative, farmers, and Canh Dong Viet Food Joint Stock Company to produce and sell aloe vera plants. A rice seeding production cooperation model was formulated by Cong Hai General Service Cooperative, farmers and Dong Nam Seed Joint Stock Company. Truecoop Organic Cashew Cooperative and farmers set up an agricultural cooperation agreement to make cashew products for export.
Total mobilized investment fund for new rural construction was VND285.7 billion, with priority given to building essential infrastructure like transport facilities, irrigation networks, power grid, schools, clinics and cultural buildings and rural shelters. To date, three out of six communes have met new rural development standards, one more commune than in 2020. On average, a commune has fulfilled 17.33 new rural development criteria. The countryside outlook has improved markedly. The material and spiritual life of rural people has been significantly raised. Political security, social order and safety have been well guaranteed.
Industrial production plays a key role in promoting economic development and impacting economic restructuring. The district focuses on developing processing industries and renewable energy. Currently, the district is home to eight completed renewable power projects with a combined capacity of 857 MW, of which 664 MW has been fed into the national grid and 193 MW is pending for electricity pricing mechanism. Some projects have been put into operation to generate new production capacity (like stuffed animals and garments) to help boost industrial development. Initially, the district has exported its products (worth estimated US$10 million in 2023). Du Long Industrial Park has attracted secondary investors. Handicraft production continues to develop steadily, with typical projects including mechanical products, prefabricated metals, wooden furniture and stainless-steel products. The industrial production value expanded by 21.5% a year on average, fulfilling 78.2% of the target stated in the resolution.
Effective planning legally meets investment attraction requirements for residential and urban development projects. To date, plans have been basically fulfilled. Currently, the district is directing related units to make the district construction planning and adjust the overall commune construction planning. Urban construction has been accelerated to gradually complete the construction of administrative center area. Thuan Bac directed related branches and Loi Hai commune to quickly achieve fifth-grade urban standards by 2025 by fulfilling unmet targets like population density and nonfarming labor rate. After reviews and evaluations, Loi Hai commune has achieved four out of five criteria with 54 out of 63 standards (including nine unevaluated standards). It scores 84.01/100 points.
Tourism has made progress. The district has managed to attract tourists far and wide to visit its places of interest and landscapes like Binh Tien Beach, Suoi Tien, Ba Ho and Hoa Lai Tower. In the district, investors are operating a Natural Paradiee Ninh Thuan tourist area project in Cong Hai commune and Nui Chua Village community tourism area project in Bac Son commune. Particularly, Binh Tien Tourist Area opened a golf course. Tourist arrivals to the district have tended to increase, estimated to welcome 40,400 visitors and earn tourism revenue of VND15.135 billion.
Renewable energy holds significant promise for the development and investment prospects in Thuan Bac district
Increased investment attraction
According to Ninh Thuan Provincial Planning for the 2021 - 2030 period, with a vision to 2050, Thuan Bac will be a northern center of industry, renewable energy and tourism service of the province, a marine economic hub and urban economy. The district will develop industry, renewable energy, trade, service, tourism and exploit traffic routes linked to the North-South Expressway. Sticking to this orientation, Thuan Bac will continue to carry out consistent socioeconomic development solutions, including restructuring agriculture towards increased commercial production, applying scientific and technological advances, improving the quality and added value of products, achieving sustainable development, effectively responding to climate change, and continuing new rural construction programs and social security policies.
Industrial development, especially the two key industries - processing and energy - as driving forces for growth to quicken economic restructuring, improve economic performance, and encourage the development of supporting industries. Thuan Bac will comprehensively develop socioeconomic infrastructure systems; effectively untap marine tourism advantages, link ecotourism with cultural tourism, handicraft villages, tangible and intangible cultural heritages and other locally distinctive tourism products.
To attract more investment fund, Thuan Bac will give priority to investors using advanced technologies, generating huge added value, and adopting environmentally friendly and energy-efficient technologies. The district will focus on boosting the production capacity of existing industrial facilities, such as seaweed processing, cement production and construction material manufacturing. The locality will give precedence to wind power projects in 10 locations according to the national wind power development plan to 2020 and further to 2030. It will attract new projects and accelerate the completion of large-scale high-class tourism projects in key tourist areas like Binh Tien, Nui Chua and Suoi Tien.
“Thuan Bac district, endowed with immense potential for economic development, stands poised to welcome both domestic and international businesses and investors. The district is committed to providing a conducive environment for them to explore, invest, and establish their operations, thereby catalyzing breakthroughs in socioeconomic development.
In partnership with businesses and investors, the district is dedicated to implementing comprehensive solutions. These include the reform of administrative procedures, enhancement of land planning and management, efficient execution of site clearance, provision of high-quality human resources, and assurance of security and order. These measures are designed to expedite the commencement of investors’ operations,” Mr. Pham Trong Hung emphasized.
By Nguyen Bach, Vietnam Business Forum
Vietnamese
October 2024
Hanoi