Kien Giang Province Planning for the 2021-2030 Period: Ambitious but Feasible

According to the Kien Giang Provincial Planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, recently approved by the Prime Minister, this province, the largest in the Southwest region, is designated as the national maritime economic center by 2030. Experts believe this is an ambitious but entirely feasible goal for a province with such rich maritime economic potential as Kien Giang.

A view of Rach Gia city (Kien Giang province). Photo: Le Huy Hai - VNA.

The nation's maritime economic center.

In early November 2023, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha signed Decision No. 1289/QD-TTg approving the Kien Giang Provincial Planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050.

According to the Plan, the overall goal is that “by 2030, Kien Giang will be a province with a high quality of life in the Mekong Delta region; a national maritime economic center. The cities of Rach Gia-Ha Tien-Phu Quoc will form the main development triangle of the urban, commercial, and service economy oriented towards the sea. In particular, Phu Quoc city will be a high-quality service and eco-tourism center, a national and international-level beach and island resort tourism center, connecting with major economic centers in the region and the world; Rach Gia will be a green commercial and service city; and Ha Tien city will be a heritage city.”

The plan also sets out several specific targets for the period 2021-2030, such as: an average GRDP growth rate (at 2010 constant prices) of 7% per year; the proportion of the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sector accounting for 29.6%, industry and construction accounting for 24.7% (of which industry accounts for approximately 15.0%), services accounting for 41.1%, and product taxes less subsidies accounting for 4.6% in the province's economic structure; GRDP per capita reaching 127 million VND, equivalent to 4,985 USD; and the poverty rate below 2% according to current standards.

In the period after 2030, Kien Giang will establish the Rach Gia Coastal Economic Zone, a comprehensive, multi-sector economic zone focusing on the development of trade, services, port logistics, urban-service-tourism, coastal industries, aquaculture and fisheries, renewable energy, and new marine economic sectors. This aims to comprehensively leverage the potential and advantages of the integrated-specialized urban area, the hub for fisheries, and Rach Gia Airport. In addition, the province will establish the Ha Tien Border Gate Economic Zone and the Giang Thanh Border Gate Area.

According to the plan, by 2050, Kien Giang will become a strong national maritime economic center, serving as a gateway and hub for international transportation, trade, and exchange. Phu Quoc will be a center for comprehensive tourism and services, featuring unique marine and island ecotourism with many distinctive values ​​and international standards. The province's national cultural identity and historical heritage will be preserved and clearly showcased.

High feasibility

Speaking at the Kien Giang Provincial Planning Appraisal Council conference for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, held at the end of March 2023, most delegates acknowledged that the Kien Giang provincial plan had been meticulously and seriously researched; analyzed and developed based on a fairly complete and reliable system of information and data on the current situation, potential, and development capabilities.

A view of Phu Quoc city (Kien Giang province). Photo by Le Huy Hai - VNA.

Experts also believe that the plan reflects innovative thinking and a new vision, aligning with the development orientation of the national and regional socio-economic development strategies. This opens up new development opportunities and shapes new values ​​for Kien Giang province during the planning period. The plan sets ambitious but feasible goals, especially given Kien Giang's significant potential in marine economic development.

According to Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Quoc Phuong, Vice Chairman of the Appraisal Council, Kien Giang is a province located in the key economic region of the Mekong Delta, with a strategically important position in terms of economy, society, national defense, security, and diplomacy. Kien Giang has a coastline over 200km long, a sea area of ​​more than 63,000 km², 5 archipelagos with more than 143 islands of various sizes, the largest of which is Phu Quoc, 2 border gates and 2 airports.

Currently, Kien Giang is the largest province in the Southwest region of Vietnam and the second largest in Southern Vietnam (after Binh Phuoc). The province is also one of the few localities with diverse natural conditions and resources, encompassing plains, primeval forests, hills, mountains, and islands; a melting pot of cultures from many ethnic groups; and possesses advantages and potential for development in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, industry, construction, and services. In 2018, Kien Giang was the 11th most populous administrative unit in Vietnam, ranked 19th in GRDP, 31st in GRDP per capita, and 39th in GRDP growth rate.

In the coming period, the Master Plan will be an important tool for Kien Giang to formulate directions, manage and oversee all socio-economic development activities and territorial development within the province, ensuring synchronous connectivity, maximizing the province's potential and advantages, overcoming bottlenecks, and unlocking resources for balanced, harmonious, efficient and sustainable development.

Viet Thang