Prime Minister tours Quang Ngai province

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has suggested the central province of Quang Ngai to outstandingly carry forward its economic model propelled by agriculture and processing industry.

At a meeting with key provincial leaders on August 9, the Government leader underscored the need for Quang Ngai to develop its services in accordance with market rules.

It is highly necessary for the province to review the policies and measures in place in order to accomplish its socio-economic targets set for 2016, while completing its planning scheme, especially for transport infrastructure, he said.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc visits container-based houses piloted by the H.E.L.P social joint stock company. (Credit: VGP)

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc said the province should continue to give due attention to forestry and fishery despite their moderate contributions to local GDP.

In terms of investment, Quang Ngai should target projects that have the potential to benefit the people, the leader noted, urging the locality to pay more heed to restructuring, afforestation and social welfare.

While highlighting the province’s strength in maritime economy and industrial parks, as well as its achievements in economic shifting, the PM pointed out an array of limitations in the locality, particularly in agriculture, rural area building and poverty reduction.

Quang Ngai’s economy depends largely on the performance of the Dung Quat Oil Refinery, which contributes to 82% of local GDP, provincial officials reported.

Notably, Ly Son – the province’s only island district – has posted stable socio-economic development with ensured defence and security. Its economy grows by over 16% every year with agriculture and aquaculture as major stakeholders.

The district is also promoting tourism, a potential industry there.

At the working session, officials from some ministries said though Quang Ngai boasts a number of industrial parks, it still relies on agriculture and the Dung Quat Oil Refinery.

They said the province should make active moves to prevent oil price hikes that could affect the refinery’s performance and, as a result, influence local residents’ income.

On this occasion, the Government leader visited the Dung Quat Oil Refinery - a national work of economic, political and security significance. The facility has a total investment of over US$3 billion.

In the first seven months of this year, the plant produced 3.99 million tonnes of oil products and contributed VND6.9 trillion (US$310.5 million) to the State budget.

PM Phuc expressed his hope that the plant will reap further successes and soundly contribute to the implementation of the nation’s socio-economic development tasks in 2016 and the following years.

He also visited container-based houses piloted by the H.E.L.P social joint stock company. The houses will be used to serve ethnic students in mountainous districts in the province.

(Source: NDO)