Ninh Thuan is attracting many large energy projects

Over the years, Ninh Thuan province has attracted more than 435 domestic and foreign projects approved by the provincial People’s Committee, with total capital registered of around $8.1 million.

Of these, the locality has just over 300 projects completed and put into operation, accounting for more than 70 per cent of licensed projects, more than 50 projects under construction, accounting for 13 per cent, and around 70 projects currently completing investment procedures.

According to Ninh Thuan Department of Planning and Investment, there are currently 36 foreign ventures in the province with total capital of more than $1.2 billion that have been built or are partially put into operation. These include South Korean projects such as the Hanbaram wind power plant from Landville Energy Co., Ltd., costing $150 million.

At a recent investment promotion conference in the province, Tran Du Lich, former member of the government advisory group, said that the province had a critical position, as a locality connecting the central economic region with the south and the Central Highlands.

“However, the province needs a more effective investment attraction strategy to activate its advantages further,” Lich said.

Recognising several development opportunities, Ninh Thuan People’s Committee is ready to roll out the red carpet to welcome investors. It has been investing in synchronous infrastructure, utilising resources, innovating on capital mobilisation, and diversifying investment forms.

Tran Quoc Nam, Chairman of Ninh Thuan People’s Committee, said that the province would promote the development of transport infrastructure; prioritise investment in important traffic routes; create connections with other provinces; and support investors to complete the North-South Expressway through the province.

He added that it would also invest in a deepwater seaport; aiming to be an international transshipment port; and develop Thanh Son airport from a military to a dual-use airport this decade.

A brighter future

According to Nam, the province will continue to invest in and complete the infrastructure of Thanh Hai, Du Long, Phuoc Nam, and Ca Na industrial zones (IZs), which cover over 1,680 hectares.

“We will make sure we are investing in the urban infrastructure system, combining renovation with new construction, taking the central urban area of Phan Rang-Thap Cham city as the driving force, and developing satellite towns in district areas,” Nam explained.

“We are also focusing on expanding and upgrading the network of water supply, drainage, and wastewater treatment in Phan Rang-Thap Cham and urban areas in IZs,” he added.

Nam also said there were plans to upgrade and develop the electricity network in the province, meeting all the demand for electricity produced in accordance with the needs of IZs and beyond.

“Ninh Thuan will give priority to the development of key fields, including renewable energy, high-class tourism, manufacturing and processing, high-tech agriculture, construction, and real estate. These are all strong industries for Ninh Thuan,” Nam said.

The province will promote its geographical advantage as a gateway connecting the southeast, the south-central coast, and the Central Highlands provinces, building development links between the province and neighbouring regions.

It will also focus on prioritising investment in key infrastructure in the direction of synchronisation, multipurpose connectivity, and strengthening regional links.

At the same time, it will exploit the potential and distinct advantages of natural conditions such as solar, wind, sea, and forests. These are the conditions for developing renewable energy, tourism, the processing industry, endemic agriculture, marine economy, and urban economy. It will also create attractive products and differentiated values for socioeconomic development.

By 2025, the province strives to become one of the top energy and renewable energy centres of the country. By 2050, Ninh Thuan will become a province with a diversified and prosperous economy, high development and a “green province” with a good living environment and sustainable development.

Ninh Thuan sets a target of 10-11 per cent average growth rate of regional GDP for 2021-2030, and regional GDP per capita will reach VND200 million (nearly $8,440) by 2030. The economic structure focuses on industry and construction, aiming to make up nearly 55 per cent, while the service sector will account for around 35 per cent, and the rest will be agriculture and fisheries.

The province is attempting to make use of its coastal advantages with new links

Highly competitive destination

To achieve these goals, the province relies on the development drivers of the marine economy and the urban economy, along with the development of human factors.

In particular, Ninh Thuan identified several breakthrough stages in improving competitiveness: completing framework infrastructure; digital transformation; application of sci-tech and innovation; and human resources development.

For 2021-2030, the province has preliminarily identified about 225 priority projects with a total investment of $11.6 million. Specifically, renewable energy will focus on exploiting the advantages of natural conditions to develop coastal wind power, offshore wind power, liquefied natural gas, and stored hydroelectricity.

Regarding high-quality tourism, the province wants to focus on sustainability and developing traditional tourism.

Meanwhile, the province is applying high technology for the task of restructuring the agricultural sector in association with building a new countryside.

Agricultural production seeks to become more modern, environmentally friendly, and adapt to climate change. At the same time, it is promoting the value chain of goods associated with expanding consumption markets for export.

Construction and real estate has also been identified as a strong economic sector that plays an important role in the energy industry. Ninh Thuan will apply new technology to build homes, high-rise offices, and high-class tourist areas. Step by step, the province also plans to build a smart urban system with modern infrastructure.