In the past 10 years (2000-2010), implementing the resolutions and programs of the central government and those of the province to develop the sea-based economy, Kien Giang has maintained an annual growth rate of its sea-based economy at more than 18 percent. That has been the result of great efforts made by local authorities at different levels as well as farmers, fishermen and businesses in the province. In the field of seafood catching that is an advantage of Kien Giang, the province has launched a program to promote offshore catching activities by providing fishermen with assistance worth several hundred billion dong to help them buy high-capacity fishing boats to replace the old, small-sized boats that are used to catch seafood inshore. Many fishermen have invested billions of dong in building new boats or upgrading the old ones for use in catching seafood offshore. The number of fishing boats as well as seafood catches in Kien Giang has increased. The province has also gained achievements in the field of aquaculture. Presently, the aquaculture area in Kien Giang totals nearly 122,000ha and the production output is about 124,000 tonnes.
Fishing ports and logistic service facilities of the fishery sector are indispensable to the sea-based economy. Some fishing ports are operating effectively in Kien Giang province, including An Thoi, Duong Dong, Tho Chau (in Phu Quoc), Nam Du (Kien Hai), To Chau (Ha Tien), and Tac Cau (Chau Thanh). Some projects are under construction, including the Xeo Nhau port (in An Minh), Ba Hon (Kien Luong), Tac Cau (Chau Thanh) - second stage, the Hon Tre storm shelter (Kien Hai) and Cau Sau (Phu Quoc).
In 2011-2015, Kien Giang province will apply open policies and offer preferences to attract investment from domestic and foreign sources and at the same time bring into play its advantages to boost the development of the sea-based economy. The sea in Kien Giang is an important gateway to the Gulf of Thailand, which adjoins Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia. The East-West economic corridor links Kien Giang province with countries in Northeast Asia.
Aware of the role of the sea-based economy for socioeconomic development as well as social security in Kien Giang, the province has made a master plan and detailed plans to develop the sea-based economy. Those plans focus on the construction of infrastructure facilities in coastal areas and islands, especially transport facilities, power and water supply systems. Under those plans, Kien Giang will promote the development of sectors such as trade, services, tourism, shipbuilding industry, processing industry, seafood catching and aquaculture. At the same time, the province will build economic centers and urban areas in coastal areas and islands./.
By Ngoc Tuan