Perspective from a grain of salt

Taking advantage of the province's natural advantages of sunshine and wind, in nearly 20 years since its arrival in Ninh Thuan province, BIM Group has successfully built a green economic complex combining industrial salt production and renewable energy, strongly promoting the province's development, creating hundreds of jobs, and helping local people stabilize their lives.

The journey from a grain of salt

In 2006, BIM Group entered Ninh Thuan province, starting in the agricultural sector, specifically salt production.

Here, the enterprise not only approached the project with the mindset of an investor seeking cooperation and development opportunities, but also carried the mission of reviving Ninh Thuan's salt industry after a long period of inefficient operation. At that time, the Quan The salt field covered only about 400 hectares east of National Highway 1A. The western side consisted only of barren, rocky fields. Despite the clear difficulties and challenges, the late Chairman of BIM Group, Doan Quoc Viet, and the Ninh Thuan provincial officials were determined to learn from foreign models and bring in technology for implementation. In just three years, the Quan The salt field was established, expanding to over 1,300 hectares, becoming one of the three largest salt fields in Southeast Asia, far exceeding the expectations of the provincial leadership, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development , and the Government.

BIM Group invests in modern infrastructure and machinery for salt production. Photo: Van Ny

With the aim of enhancing the value of Ninh Thuan salt, the company applies advanced salt production equipment and technology from Spain; maximizing mechanization in large-scale extraction processes. In particular, in Ninh Thuan, BIM Group is a pioneer in successfully testing and applying the technology of salt production on HDPE liners, helping local businesses and salt farmers change their mindset and methods of salt production, creating a breakthrough in process, output, and quality for the local salt industry. As a result, Ninh Thuan province is also actively encouraging and supporting people to switch from traditional salt production on earthen floors to salt production on HDPE liners, similar to what BIM Group has done.

BIM Group invests in salt production using HDPE tarpaulin in Phuoc Minh (Thuan Nam). Photo: Van Ny

Ms. Tran Thi Tan, from Tri Hai commune (Ninh Hai district), became the first household to boldly apply this technology. Ms. Tan said: "In 2010, I conducted a trial on an area of ​​300 m2. In a short time, it showed effectiveness. The salt crystals were pure white, firm, with very low impurity levels, high sodium chloride content, and a 20-25% increase in yield compared to traditional salt production methods. Based on this initial success, I have now expanded the application, using tarpaulins to cover all 5 hectares of my family's salt production area."

To date, in Ninh Thuan province, BIM Group has three salt fields: Tri Hai (Ninh Hai), Quan The, and Ca Na (Thuan Nam), covering an area of ​​over 2,100 hectares and producing approximately 300,000 tons annually, contributing about 60-70% of Vietnam's salt production. To increase production, since 2016, BIM Group has continued to apply the "rainproof tarp covering" technology to the Quan The salt field. The salt grains from BIM Group's salt fields undergo a process of drying, sedimentation, and crystallization, with strict water quality control at each stage. This results in natural, safe sea salt products that meet high standards and are trusted by many leading food partners.

Mr. Doan Quoc Huy, Chairman and CEO of BIM Group, stated: "In the future, BIM Group is committed to pursuing a vision of sustainable development, contributing to overall development and a better future in the localities where BIM operates, including Ninh Thuan. Together with our partner, Ayala Group from the Philippines, BIM is nearing the goal of building a 1500MW renewable energy complex; following that, we envision a green economic complex where clean electricity will be used for the chemical production line after salt production, creating a circular model."

In particular, on the more than 2,100 hectares of salt fields in Ninh Thuan, BIM Group at one point created nearly 1,000 jobs, helping local people have a stable income. Among these are families with four generations involved in salt production, and some individuals who have dedicated their entire lives to salt, their feet traversing the salt fields day after day. The family of Mr. Doan Van Manh in Thuong Diem 2 village, Phuoc Diem commune (Thuan Nam district) is one such family. At 59 years old, Mr. Manh has spent 39 years working in the Ca Na salt fields and currently holds the position of Deputy Head of the Production Technical Team. Mr. Manh said: "In this Thuong Diem area, arable land is scarce and barren, with year-round drought, so most people choose fishing or salt production. For my family, salt is a traditional occupation. My grandfather and father were also workers at the salt factory." My son, Doan Trung Viet, born in 1992, has now been working at the Ca Na salt fields of BIM Group for 9 years and 7 months. As salt workers, we are proud to have a stable life, regular salaries and bonuses, and guaranteed welfare benefits.

Father and son Doan Van Manh and Doan Trung Viet, from Thuong Diem 2 village, Phuoc Diem commune, continue the tradition of their ancestors, remaining dedicated to salt production. Photo: N. Diep.

On BIM Group's salt fields, there are also dozens of Cham ethnic minority workers. They travel tens of kilometers each day to participate in production, develop the economy, and take care of their families. For over 16 years, Mr. Quang Dai Lanh, a resident of Chung My brocade weaving village, Phuoc Dan town (Ninh Phuoc), has been traveling more than 15 km every morning to work at the Quan The salt field since BIM Group started investing in production there. The best thing is that the workers are close-knit and the company never delays salaries, sometimes even paying them early. Thanks to BIM Group's salt, my family's life is secure, and I can afford to raise my two children and send them to school. When I get old, I will have a pension and won't have to worry about being a burden to my children. Every job has its own hardships, but the guaranteed salaries, bonuses, and benefits make me feel secure and committed," Mr. Lanh shared.

Mr. Quang Dai Lanh, a Cham ethnic minority from My Nghiep, enjoys a stable life thanks to the salt produced by BIM Group. Photo: Ngoc Diep

Mr. Nguyen Cong Phuong, Deputy Director of Ninh Thuan Salt Company (a member of BIM Group), stated: "At our company, employees are always guaranteed salaries, bonuses, and social welfare benefits as regulated. In addition, we purchase health insurance, organize annual trips for employees, and offer seniority bonuses to encourage them to stay committed to their work and the company. On their birthdays, employees receive gifts and are entitled to time off without salary deductions."

Realizing the renewable energy vision early on.

Ninh Thuan is a coastal province with abundant natural resources. Sunshine and wind are particularly advantageous. Ms. Hoang Thi Ut Lan, former Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Committee, recalled: During the period of 2006-2009, when she was still in office, a Canadian company approached the province to discuss investing in a wind power project.

BIM invests in a large-scale salt production field combined with wind power in Phuoc Minh commune (Thuan Nam district). Photo: Van Ny.

Not only foreign businesses, but also the late Chairman Doan Quoc Viet, a former staff member of the Institute of Energy researching renewable energy since 1977-1978, understood better than anyone the value of solar energy in Ninh Thuan, far exceeding the potential of the salt fields themselves. Therefore, upon arriving in Ninh Thuan, the late Chairman of BIM Group had a vision for building a renewable energy model on the salt fields, specifically wind power. Consequently, when constructing the salt fields, BIM Group built sufficiently large access roads to facilitate mechanized harvesting and transportation of salt, as well as to transport wind turbines later on.

In 2015, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 2068/QD-TTg dated November 25, 2015, approving the Strategy for the Development of Renewable Energy in Vietnam until 2030, with a vision to 2050. Seizing this opportunity, from 2018, BIM Group began to realize the dream of its founder. In just three years, despite the difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic causing disruptions in many areas, especially international transportation, BIM Group remained determined to start construction and complete three solar power plants, BIM 1, 2, and 3, reaching a total capacity of 405 MWp by 2020.

BIM Group invests in solar power in Phuoc Minh (Thuan Nam). Photo: Van Ny

September 30, 2021 marked a significant milestone for BIM Group when the BIM wind power plant, with a total capacity of 88 MW and an investment of VND 3,110 billion, commenced operation. This officially completed the Green Economic Complex for clean salt production and renewable energy, with a total investment of VND 12,000 billion, optimizing the value of land resources and minimizing the impact on people's lives. BIM Group has become one of the enterprises contributing a large proportion to renewable energy investment in Ninh Thuan province.

Making practical contributions to the province.

Having been present in Ninh Thuan province for nearly 20 years, BIM Group has pioneered new methods of salt production, creating a green economic complex, promoting sustainable development, and making practical contributions to the province's development.

Mr. Truong Xuan Vy, Chairman of the People's Committee of Thuan Nam District, assessed: "BIM Group's participation in the two fields of salt production and renewable energy has contributed to diversifying the economic landscape and accelerating the development of Thuan Nam in recent years. At the same time, it has helped hundreds of local workers find stable jobs with guaranteed salaries, bonuses, and social welfare benefits. We are hoping that the Green Industry and Post-Salt Chemicals project that BIM Group is researching and promoting in the Phuoc Minh 1 and 2 Industrial Clusters, which aligns with the local planning and development orientation, will soon complete the procedures and begin implementation, promoting the creation of sustainable value."

BIM Group creates jobs and increases income for people in Phuoc Minh (Thuan Nam). Photo: Van Ny.

Besides promoting local economic development and investing in and implementing projects, BIM Group also organizes many social welfare support activities for the community in the area, such as: supporting the "For the Poor" Fund, the "Gratitude and Repayment" Fund, supporting the construction of housing for the poor and policy beneficiary families, building classrooms at Vo Van Kiet Secondary School in Phuoc Ninh commune (Thuan Nam)... We hope that the company will continue many social welfare support activities, paying attention to and ensuring full benefits and policies for employees.

BIM Group sponsored and handed over the construction project to Vo Van Kiet Secondary School in Thuan Nam during the 2019-2020 school year. Photo: Van Ny

BIM Group actively supports the province's "For the Poor" Fund. Photo: Van Ny.

Ms. Hoang Thi Ut Lan, former Chairwoman of the Ninh Thuan Provincial People's Committee and Chairwoman of the Ninh Thuan Provincial Association for the Support of Poor Patients, shared: "Throughout the time investing in the province, the unit has partnered with the Ninh Thuan Provincial Association for the Support of Poor Patients to build 24 houses for the poor, perform heart surgeries for pediatric patients with a total amount of nearly 1.7 billion VND. And they have donated approximately 10,000 tons of salt to poor people in the province. What is particularly valuable is that the unit has always proactively offered suggestions, so that the Association has a place to turn to when needed."

Ngoc Diep

Source: http://baoninhthuan.com.vn/news/151394p1c25/tam-nhin-tu-hat-muoi.htm