Gio Linh District focuses on promoting maritime economy

In recent times, the Gio Linh district, being endowed with strengths in maritime resources, has consistently identified the development of the coastal economy as a crucial factor determining the local socio-economic development tasks. Throughout this process, the People’s Council of the district has issued numerous significant resolutions, contributing significantly to the advancement of the coastal economy. These efforts have yielded commendable results, marking notable progress in the socio-economic development of the region.

A fleet of offshore fishing boats from the fishermen of Cua Viet town in Gio Linh district returns after an extended sea voyage. Photo: Tran Tuyen

Nguyen Van Giang, the Standing Deputy Secretary of the District Party Committee and Chairman of the People’s Council in Gio Linh, stated that before the issuance of Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW on October 22, 2018, titled “Sustainable Development Strategy for Vietnam’s Maritime Economy until 2030, Vision to 2045” by the 12th Central Committee of the Party, during the 3rd session held in December 2016, the Gio Linh District People’s Council of the 2016-2021 term passed Resolution No. 42/NQ-HĐND on December 30, 2016, concerning the "Program for the Development of the Coastal Economy in Gio Linh District for the 2016-2020 period."

Following the adoption of Resolution No. 36 by the 12th Central Committee of the Party, Action Program No. 144-CTHĐ/TU on April 24, 2019, by the Quang Tri Provincial Party Committee to implement Resolution No. 36, the Standing People’s Council of the district, in coordination with the Standing Committee of the District Party Committee, issued Plan No. 119-KH/HU on November 8, 2019, to align with the implementation of Resolution No. 03-NQ/HU on December 21, 2016, by the District Party Committee on "Strengthening the leadership of Party committees at all levels in the development of the coastal economy for the 2016-2020 period."

In adherence to Resolution No. 36 by the Central Party Committee, the Provincial Party’s Action Program, and the District Party’s Plan, considering the practical situation of the locality and based on proposals from the district People’s Committee, from 2019 to the present, the Gio Linh District People’s Council has issued resolutions approving investment strategies across various sectors. These strategies aim to integrate with the central government’s investment resources, contributing to the comprehensive development of the socio-economic aspects of the coastal region.

Specifically, from 2019 until now, the District People’s Council has issued 33 resolutions across all sectors. Notably, in the field of basic construction, resolutions were passed to approve investment directions for projects in coastal areas, gradually investing in comprehensive infrastructure and contributing to the sustainable development of the coastal economy.

In addition to formulating strategies and resolutions for coastal economic development, the Gio Linh District People’s Council consistently monitors and emphasizes the implementation of directives and resolutions from higher authorities, as well as those issued by the district itself. Through interactions with constituents and regular contact sessions, the Standing Deputy of the District People’s Council and district representatives convey information about development strategies and the Party’s directives on coastal economic development to the public.

They also gather feedback and suggestions related to support mechanisms, infrastructure construction, the development of fishing services, coastal tourism, social welfare, and livelihoods for residents in sandy and coastal areas. These inputs are then forwarded to relevant authorities for clarification and resolution.

"Throughout the implementation of Resolution No. 36 by the Central Party Committee, Action Program No. 144 by the Provincial Party, and Plan No. 119 by the District Party, the basic goals and targets of coastal areas have mostly been achieved. The economic structure of coastal localities is moving in the right direction, with comprehensive development of infrastructure leading to increased income for residents, enhancing the standard of living, and maintaining political security and social order," remarked Giang.

Specifically, the economic structure has shifted towards increasing the proportion of industry and cottage industry, particularly in the value-added processing of seafood. Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries account for 24.05%, industry, cottage industry, and construction account for 51.16%, and trade, services, and tourism account for 24.79%. The coastal economy continues to play a pivotal role as a leading sector, significantly contributing to the overall economic growth of the district.

Currently, there are 862 fishing vessels with a total capacity of 101,590 horsepower operating in the entire district. The area for aquaculture has expanded, and new models have proven economically efficient. The total production of fisheries, including both catching and aquaculture, reached 17,162 tons, with aquaculture contributing 1,369 tons and the fisheries sector contributing 15,793 tons.

Agricultural production remains a focal point for the district, leading to increased productivity and crop yields. Some agricultural production models on sandy terrain have shown high economic efficiency. The district pays attention to investing in and enhancing the value of industrial and cottage industry production. Currently, there are 155 industrial and cottage industry establishments, 125 seafood processing establishments, and 35 fish sauce processing establishments in the region.

Many products have been labeled and widely circulated in the market, both within and outside the province, aiming to build a collective brand for local seafood products. There has been a significant transformation in the trade, service, and coastal tourism sectors in terms of quantity and quality. Coastal areas have 1,283 commercial and service establishments, including 91 beach service facilities, providing employment for thousands of workers.

In recent years, the infrastructure in coastal areas has undergone comprehensive development. Various projects and initiatives have significantly contributed to the promotion of socio-economic development. Notable projects include the expansion of defense routes connecting coastal areas, as well as the asphalt and concrete paving of inter-communal and inter-village transport routes. Additionally, communal beaches in Gio Hai, Trung Giang, and Cua Viet Beach, have been upgraded and expanded. The development of the Cua Viet port’s canal system, the Gio Viet storm shelter, and the Cua Viet fishing port have also been invested in and constructed.

Simultaneously, urban planning and planning management have been implemented diligently. The district has developed plans for the construction of new rural areas, detailed plans for the Cua Viet town, and detailed plans for the development of agricultural production in sandy areas for communes and towns, among others.

The program for building new rural areas and civilized urban areas has yielded positive results. Currently, Trung Giang and Gio Viet communes have achieved the new rural area criteria, while Gio Hai commune will complete the new rural area criteria by the end of 2023. Cua Viet Town has met 6 out of 9 criteria for a civilized urban area.

"Thanks to the right policies and strategies, the socio-economic transformation in coastal areas has been very positive. The rural landscape is becoming more vibrant, and both material and spiritual aspects of people’s lives are improving. The average income per capita in coastal areas exceeds VND50 million per person per year, and the annual poverty rate decreases by 1-1.5%. In the coming time, the district will continue to support people in economic development, encourage offshore activities, and actively implement measures to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Efforts will be directed towards establishing the Dong Gio Linh Industrial Zone to ensure the safe production and processing of marine products, and mobilizing resources to continue building new rural areas and civilized urban areas, with a particular focus on achieving urban standards for Cua Viet town by 2025...," said Giang.

Tran Tuyen - Ngoc Mai