Boosting economic growth by 2025

BDK - Implementing the Government's assigned task of the province's GRDP growth target of 8% in 2025, the province has an action program to achieve the GRDP economic growth target in 2025, demonstrating high determination in the entire political system. On that basis, the Provincial People's Committee issued Plan No. 1312/KH-UBND dated March 4, 2025 on socio-economic development and state budget estimates in 2025, with specific targets and responsibilities assigned to departments, branches, and localities to focus on seriously, promptly, and effectively implementing the directives on economic growth in the province.

Industrial paper production at Dong Hai Ben Tre Joint Stock Company, Giao Long Industrial Park, Chau Thanh District.

Regional growth scenarios

The province raised the GRDP growth target from 6 - 6.5% to 8%. At the same time, specific responsibilities were assigned to departments, branches and localities to seriously, promptly and effectively implement the contents of economic growth. The scenarios closely followed each economic region and local practical characteristics. Each sector and field was associated with specific targets and key, breakthrough solutions to ensure high feasibility in implementation.

Over the years, agriculture has always played a pivotal role in the provincial economy. However, to contribute to the 8% GRDP growth by 2025, the agricultural sector needs to overcome the challenges of small-scale, fragmented production to move towards a concentrated, modern production model, applying high technology and aiming for a green economy, circular economy and digital economy.

In 2025, the province will focus on expanding the area and increasing the value of crops and livestock. In particular, organic coconut and high-tech marine shrimp; in which, striving to develop an additional 700 hectares of organic coconut combined with the green-legged shrimp intercropping model, gradually forming a sustainable farming ecosystem, increasing economic value on the same unit area. In addition, at least 100 hectares of high-tech marine shrimp farming will be expanded, bringing the total modern shrimp farming area to over 4,000 hectares.

The industrial and construction sector is expected to have the highest growth rate, being the main driving force for the development of the entire economic sector of the province. The province is accelerating the completion of the infrastructure of Phu Thuan Industrial Park (IP) and industrial clusters (IC) such as An Dien, C2, Tan Thanh Binh..., creating clean land to attract secondary investment. Site clearance, electricity connection, and wastewater treatment are being accelerated to be ready to welcome large projects. Supporting enterprises to expand production, removing obstacles in wastewater connection and treatment, and providing stable electricity and water, to ensure continuous production and business activities of enterprises in IPs and ICs.

The province pays special attention to the processing industry, especially industries with advantages such as coconut, seafood, textiles, electrical equipment, etc. This is a key product group with high export growth rate, playing an important role in balancing the trade balance. At the same time, wind power projects are also speeding up the connection to the national grid, supplementing renewable energy sources for production.

Along with that, the province has implemented strong solutions to unblock the real estate market, remove difficulties for urban and residential projects, etc. The province focuses on supporting innovative start-up businesses, promoting green and clean industries and gradually forming a closed production chain.

In the context of strong recovery of purchasing power, the province has identified trade and services as an important growth pillar. In 2025, the province aims to increase export turnover by at least 18% compared to 2024. To achieve that, the province focuses on promoting trade and diversifying markets, especially potential markets such as the US, EU, Japan and the Middle East.

Public investment continues to play a leading role, creating leverage to promote the development of other economic sectors. In 2025, the total planned investment capital from the state budget managed by the province is nearly 7,000 billion VND. Although the disbursement rate at the beginning of the year is still low (3.24% as of February 20, 2025), the province has developed a detailed action plan to ensure 100% disbursement within the year.

Speed ​​up progress of key projects

Key infrastructure projects such as Rach Mieu 2 bridge, Ba Lai 8 bridge, coastal roads, irrigation systems and high-tech shrimp farming infrastructure are given special attention, creating effective inter-regional and intra-provincial connectivity. In addition, the province recommends that the Government soon approve and allocate capital for strategic projects such as Cua Dai bridge, coastal road connecting Tien Giang - Ben Tre - Tra Vinh and water management works serving agricultural production. Coordinate with Vinh Long province to build Dinh Khao bridge connecting the two provinces.

Implement the Plan to implement the Power Plan VIII. Focus on removing difficulties to speed up the progress of wind power projects. Strive to start at least 1 project in 2025 and speed up the progress of procedures for connecting 2 wind power projects to the national grid (Sunpro Wind Power Plant (30MW), Thanh Hai Wind Power Plant 2, 3, 4 (85.75MW))... In addition, the province continues to complete regional development plans, strictly implement commitments on environmental protection, climate change adaptation and green economic development.

Assessing the economic situation in 2024 and the first quarter of 2025 of the province, Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam Nguyen Thi Hong commented that despite many difficulties, in the first quarter of 2025, Ben Tre achieved a growth rate of 6.68%, which shows that the possibility of achieving the target of 8% in 2025 is feasible.

Working with the Government delegation, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee - Chairman of the Provincial People's Council Ho Thi Hoang Yen said that the province has asked banks to pay more attention to supporting credit for businesses. Especially, key industries such as coconut, wind power... Recommend banks to support social housing projects in the province, because businesses face many difficulties when investing in this field. In addition, recommend the Ministry of Construction to consider amending Decision No. 55/QD-BXD, dated January 20, 2025 on guidelines for criteria for temporary houses, dilapidated houses, expanding housing support to all subjects in difficult circumstances, not only poor households, near-poor households. At the same time, propose the socialization of resources to support housing for these difficult subjects.

“In the coming time, Ben Tre will continue to focus on developing growth drivers such as: export, investment and domestic consumption; exploiting the Chinese market, a large market close to Ben Tre. Along with that, the province will continue to implement national target programs such as: building new rural areas; increasing support and protection for enterprises in export activities; promoting the role of the banking system in providing credit for economic development. At the same time, strengthen coordination and exchange between Ben Tre and central ministries and branches to promptly remove difficulties and obstacles in legal procedures in implementing investment projects”.

(Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam Nguyen Thi Hong)

Article and photos: Cam Truc

Source: https://baodongkhoi.vn/thuc-day-tang-truong-kinh-te-nam-2025-18042025-a145360.html