|
Dak Nong calls for investment
The central highland province of Dak Nong is calling for over VND958 billion (US$55 million) for 19 projects from 2009-2010 according to the provincial Department of Planning and Investment.
And it has made a vow to lift itself 10 places from near the bottom of the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) - from 60th to 50th - as part of a campaign to market itself better.
The province has set out to seek investors for 11 projects in agricultural processing, engineering and infrastructure construction and eight in tourism.
An investment of more than VND250 billion ($14.3 million) is needed to develop Co Tien Eco-Tourism Resort in the province's Gia Nghia Commune.
Another $5.8 million is needed to set up a fruit processing factory in Dak Mil District's Thuan An Industrial Complex, and $3.5 million to develop infrastructure for Quang Tam Industrial Zone in Tuy Duc District.
Dak Nong had also called for investment in hydro-electricity, fisheries and forestry, construction material and mining, said department director Nguyen Thanh Son.
To date, the province had attracted 250 projects worth a combined investment of VND30.9 trillion ($1.8 billion), 78 of which were already operational, he said, adding that as many as 15 projects, capitalised, at above VND1 trillion ($57 million), were registered in the province in 2008.
However, investment, especially foreign direct investment, lagged behind the economic potential of the province, said Son. By the end of 2008, the province has a modest seven foreign-invested projects with capital totalling about $28 million.
Low PCI ranking
The province was still in the low group in terms of the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) in 2008, ranking, just 60th among the 64 provinces and centrally-administered cities nationwide.
This poor performance was mainly blamed on complaints about the lack of provincial official information about investment and business procedures as well as land schemes, said department deputy director Hoang Cong Thang.
After consulting the PCI research team, provincial departments are now speeding up the establishment of websites updating the provincial investment information and procedures in specific sectors.
Dak Nong will continue to market itself as a "one-stop shop", which is considered an important mechanism in attracting investment. It will also organise conferences to update investment policies and incentives.
"Enterprises need to know clearly about the benefits and obligations to better take advantages of business and investment opportunities here," said Thang.
The province plans to perfect the infrastructures for its key industrial zones and complexes, such as Tam Thang and Nhan Co, to draw more domestic and foreign interest.
And it sets itself the goal of jumping 10 places in the PCI by 2010.
Viet Nam News
|
