Marine economy set to be focus of north-central and central coastal regional growth

VIETNAM, May 9 - HÀ NỘI — The north-central and central coastal regions are expected to lead the way in the marine economy by 2050, according to a new development plan recently approved by Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính. 

Regional marine economy development must be rapid and sustainable, especially in the fields of marine services, industries and tourism and maritime trades. 

Coastal urban development should also align with oil and gas mining and the harnessing of other marine resources. Aquaculture and fishery production and processing must take into account marine environment protection as well as coastal and offshore industrial development.

In the document detailing the regional growth roadmap for 2021-2030, north-central and central coastal regions will have a comprehensive, modern, green and smart infrastructure along with a cohesive urban network that is resilient and adaptive to climate change. 

By 2050, the area aims to have at least two urban areas and several large-scale centres for industries, services and international cooperation, while also ensuring rural development, high environment quality, preservation of cultural values as well as national security, defence and sovereignty over sea and islands. 

Specifically, the plan promotes regional economic restructuring in addition to innovating growth models with a focus on the marine economy, as well as productivity and quality improvement based on science-technology, innovation and digital transformation. 

Key industries for growth include semiconductor and chip manufacturing; trade, finance and logistic services; technology training, research and transfer in semiconductors, artificial intelligence and clean energy.  

The regions also aim to improve the investment environment and develop specific policies and frameworks for regional growth, perfecting infrastructure while encouraging fishermen to persevere in their trade and promoting renewable energy projects in areas with favourable conditions, in addition to tourism development. 

The north-central and central coastal regions will be a growth driver of the larger central region as well as the north-south and east-west economic corridors to effectively connect seaports, airports, economic zones, border gates, major trade hubs and coastal urban areas. 

Industrial development in the region is set to have high international competitiveness and contribute to the global value chain with the development of large-scale industrial clusters, increasing the sector’s contribution to the gross regional domestic product (GRDP) to between 25-35 per cent.

Specifically, petroleum refining and petrochemical industry development will be centred in Thanh Hóa, Quảng Ngãi, Khánh Hòa, Phú Yên provinces, while Quảng Bình, Quảng Trị, Quảng Nam, Quảng Ngãi, Bình Định, Ninh Thuận, Bình Thuận provinces will be prioritised for renewable energy production. 

The north-central and central coastal regions will also develop its tourism sector to be a key industry, with focused destination clusters being Ninh Bình - Thanh Hóa - Nghệ An, Quảng Bình - Quảng Trị - Thừa Thiên-Huế - Đà Nẵng - Quảng Nam, and Khánh Hòa - Lâm Đồng - Ninh Thuận - Bình Thuận.

Logistics is planned to become a modern, professional industry with advanced technology in response to international integration requirements. 

This goal is expected to be achieved with the development of logistics centres along the coast, airports and border gates, which should account for 6 per cent of the nationwide revenue of the logistics industry. 

Regional tourism development will also be linked with the Red River Delta in the north and the southeastern region. — VNS