Phu Yen steps on gas to complete master planning

Phu Yen is gearing up efforts to complete master planning to usher in a decade of growth

To implement the socioeconomic development master plan with a longer-term vision towards 2050, Phu Yen has signed consultancy contracts with two renowned foreign consultants – Roland Berger (RB) from Germany and Surbana Jurong (SJ) from Singapore.

According to the consultants’ assessment, despite the reduced contribution of the agricultural sector to Phu Yen’s economy as the province is gearing towards industrialisation and modernisation, the growth of the agro-forestry-fishery sector has still been quite positive.

Phu Yen’s agriculture has managed stable growth averaging 6.5 per cent annually, attuned with the province’s development orientation. Agricultural production, however, still remains minuscule and is mainly engaged in preliminary processing with low added value, while lacking modern equipment and quality human resources (HR).

To best avail of agricultural potential, Phu Yen needs to radically tackle issues related to incentive policies and infrastructure, according to the consultants.

Phu Yen has abounding potential for tourism sector development, buoyed by rich natural resources, a vast land fund entailing the potential for resort property development, and distinct local dishes with enriched seafood sources.

Speciality tourism products, however, remain limited, with short stays and low spending levels of each visitor compared to several other localities in the neighbourhood. Activities to promote local tourism are modest in content.

Consolidating cooperation among sectors and departments, increasing investment into HR, and completing ocean space planning are all important to best avail of local abundant natural resources as well as enriched culture and history.

RB and SJ have also proposed that Phu Yen boosts the application of modern online marketing methods, paired with creating impressions for offline marketing channels.

According to Pham Dai Duong, Secretary of Phu Yen Party Committee and head of the Steering Committee working on establishing Phu Yen’s master planning, this would lay the foundation to propose planning schemes and associated content in provincial planning work.

“The Steering Committee has recognised and appreciated the concerted efforts of the consultants and active engagement of relevant management agencies in drawing up the province’s development planning. Working on Phu Yen’s master planning is one of the key tasks this year,” said Duong.

To ensure the efficiency and timeliness of planning work, the Steering Committee has urged relevant organisations and units to carry out the work consistently.

With the foreign consultants, Phu Yen wants the planning scheme to closely follow the government’s development policy and orientation, as well as other national and regional planning. This will gear towards sustainable development leveraging the pillars of the economy, society, and the environment, as well as harmonising social wellbeing, cultural values, and also security and defence.