High determination to achieve big goals

The target of achieving a growth rate of 8% or higher is being realized by all levels, sectors, and localities in the province through specific plans, solutions, and actions with the highest determination.

• The province's top priority is to achieve an 8% growth rate.
• Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh: An Giang , Dong Thap, and Ca Mau provinces should strive to contribute to the national goal of achieving a growth rate of 8% or higher.
• We need a more decisive approach in achieving double-digit growth and digital transformation.

Achieving rapid but sustainable growth, ensuring harmonious development between the economy and society, protecting the environment, and guaranteeing national defense and security... is a huge challenge for a developing province like Ca Mau. However, if this goal is achieved, it will bring immense benefits to the people. Therefore, localities in the province are working together with synchronized and decisive solutions.

According to the first quarter assessment results of the Provincial People's Committee, the projected growth rate is 5.36%, which falls short of the planned target of 7.04%. Specifically, the fisheries, agriculture, and forestry sector is estimated to grow by 3.53% compared to the same period last year; industry and construction by 3.51%; and services by 9.35%.

According to Mr. Nguyen Chi Thien, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, monitoring shows that all indicators in the sector under the department's responsibility have increased, but the increase has not met expectations due to the impact of many factors. In particular, January was the month when seafood exports were completed, the month when European countries stopped importing seafood, and coincided with the extended Lunar New Year holiday, leading to significant declines in some sectors. For example, shrimp processing decreased by 19.91%; commercial gas decreased by 0.67%, electricity production decreased by 3.4%, and fertilizer production decreased by 7.36%. Only the retail sector and export turnover showed an increase.

However, by February, the situation began to show signs of improvement, with all sectors in the industrial and trade sector experiencing growth, albeit at a slow pace. By March, growth rates rebounded, with processed shrimp production increasing by 11.61%, commercial gas by over 19.31%, electricity production by 14.39%, liquefied petroleum gas by 27.38%, and fertilizer production by 8.65%.

Annually, fishing activities supply the market with over 230,000 tons of various seafood products, making it one of the important economic sectors of the fisheries, agriculture, and forestry region.

"Due to negative growth in January and low growth in February, the average growth for the first quarter did not meet the planned targets as expected. However, the growth situation in March and shrimp export turnover in the first quarter showed much better results compared to the same period last year, which provides a basis for expecting good growth in the remaining months," Mr. Thien commented.

However, the current high tariffs imposed by the US on seafood products pose a significant challenge to the growth rate of the province's seafood export sector. To address this reality, Mr. Thien added that the Department is organizing meetings with seafood export businesses to develop more specific and cautious strategies. The Department is continuing to work with businesses to find and expand markets to increase export volume. It is also advising the Provincial People's Committee on the best possible implementation of trade promotion programs both domestically and internationally to simultaneously increase export turnover and domestic consumption. Furthermore, it is continuing to work with investors in wind power projects, including those already in commercial operation and those under construction, to address difficulties and maximize the potential of this sector.

Recognizing that trade and services are the main sectors contributing to growth, Ca Mau City is implementing solutions to fully exploit its current potential. According to Mr. To Hoai Phuong, Chairman of the City People's Committee, trade and services account for approximately 60% of the economic structure, so Ca Mau City is focusing on working with each entity involved in tourism services, including restaurants, eateries, shopping services, etc., to connect tour routes. At the same time, urban order management and environmental sanitation are implemented regularly and continuously, ensuring the best possible services for tourists visiting the city. Currently, Ca Mau City has developed and issued a plan for socio-economic development in the coming period, which specifies targets and tasks and assigns responsibility to each agency and unit.

Commenting on the growth rate in the first quarter, Mr. Ho Trung Viet, Standing Committee Member and Head of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the Provincial Party Committee, stated that the first quarter's shortfall was far from the set target, and therefore, efforts must be made to achieve over 8% in the remaining three quarters to compensate for the shortfall. Accordingly, to achieve an 8% growth rate by the end of the year, all levels and sectors must first focus on two interrelated and core issues: firstly, reorganizing and stabilizing the organizational structure to improve the efficiency of the new organization; and secondly, successfully applying and creating new value from the implementation of Resolution 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo on science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation. This includes resolutely implementing the Central and provincial plans for organizing "Digital Mass Education."

In the agricultural sector, the province has set specific growth targets for each product, especially key products.

Business development and investment attraction are crucial areas in the socio-economic development of each locality. From the beginning of the year until now, the province has attracted 6 new investment projects with a registered capital of 297.8 billion VND. Thus, to date, the province has a total of 468 active investment projects with a total registered capital of 147,953 billion VND, including 11 FDI projects. However, it can be seen that by the end of the first quarter, the province had 175 newly established businesses with a capital of 983.3 billion VND, but during the same period, 19 businesses voluntarily dissolved and 159 businesses temporarily suspended operations; 25 branches, representative offices, and business locations ceased operations. This is a worrying reality.

Faced with difficulties and challenges, in order to achieve a growth rate of 8% or more by the end of 2025, the Provincial People's Committee has set out many scenarios and specific sets of solutions for each specific economic sector. These include strengthening cooperation with businesses, investors, and other economic sectors... to quickly resolve difficulties, create the most favorable conditions to promote production and business, and generate new impetus and products to boost economic development.

Nguyen Phu

Source: https://baocamau.vn/quyet-tam-cao-de-dat-muc-tieu-lon-a38402.html