Province not a one trick pony

Northern Quang Ninh province is calling for infrastructure and entertainment sector  investments to meet its industrial and tourism ambitions.

Quang Ninh People’s Committee, in cooperation with the Ministry of Planning and Investment, next week will hold an investment promotion conference in Halong to introduce its potential and proposed projects to domestic and foreign investors.

At the conference, the province will introduce a list of 18 investment projects calling for private investment. They include Van Don airport, Hai Ha Industrial Park, Cai Rong seaport, Halong-Mong Cai highway and tourism projects in Van Don Economic Zone.

Nguyen Van Doc, chairman of Quang Ninh People’s Committee, said infrastructure development and entertainment services were two key sectors that the province would prioritise for investors.
He added entertainment service and infrastructure system were weaknesses hindering Quang Ninh’s development.

“Tourism is an advantage of Quang Ninh, however we don’t have an entertainment centre to attract tourists. Meanwhile, the infrastructure linking Quang Ninh with neighbouring provinces remains underdeveloped,” Doc added.

Home to the world heritage Halong Bay, Quang Ninh is one of the most attractive places for tourists in northern Vietnam. According to the provincial authorities, the province last year attracted six million domestic and foreign tourists.

So far, foreign investors are investing into 89 projects in Quang Ninh, capitalised at $3.72 billion. The disbursement capital was $735 million, according to Quang Ninh People’s Committee.
Nguyen Van Thanh, vice chairman of Quang Ninh People’s Committee, said if the province developed infrastructure system and entertainment services, private investments in the province would increase rapidly.

Genting Group, an Asia’s well-known leisure and hospitality company, is studying possibility for building an integrated gaming and resort complex in this province. The project is planned for Van Don Economic Zone, covering 1,800 hectares.

Korea’s Joinus Company also gained the green light from the Vietnamese government to prepare for the construction of Van Don international airport under build-operate-transfer model. The Korean investor also proposed to build an expressway connecting Halong city and Van Don island. The total investment capital of two projects is expected $1.5-$2 billion.