At the 7^th Open Congress of the Da Nang Party Committee (PaC) last Friday, municipal PaC Deputy Secretary Vo Cong Tri remarked that the city’s socio-economic situation has shown steady growth during this year. 

Secretary Anh speaking at the event

By the end of this year, the city’s gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to have risen by 9.04% against 2015, whilst the total export turnover of goods is likely to hit 1.3 billion USD.

To date, the city has attracted 5.51 million visitors, and 1.67 million of them were foreigners, a rise of 17.7% compared with the same period last year.  The industrial and agricultural production volumes are predicted to have increased by 11.3% and 3.6% respectively.  The city's total tax revenue is likely to have exceeded the year's target by 22.3% to reach 18,227 billion VND.  Of this, the total domestic collection is expected to have reached over 14,977 billion VND, exceeding the year’s target by 17.9%.  The city has so far collected 3,250 billion VND from import and export taxes.

To date, the city is now home to 18,680 businesses with their charter capital totalling over 90,600 billion VND.  In addition, it has attracted 430 FDI projects worth a total of 3.7 billion USD.

Participants at the event

Deputy Secretary Tri also pointed out the several shortcomings of the city.  In particular, the number of local FDI projects this year is much lower than expected.  There have been delays in the deployment of some local development projects, and this year has also seen a significant increase in the number of homicides and drug and gambling-related crimes against last year.

Speaking at the event, Mr Ngo Quang Vinh, Director of the Department of Tourism, highlighted the great significance of international-level events in the city in attracting more visitors, especially in promoting the development of the real estate and tourism sectors.  The events included the Clipper 2015-16 Race, the 5^th Asian Beach Games, and the forthcoming APEC Economic Leaders' Week.

In attempting to foster the development of the local tourism sector, Director Vinh suggested that greater efforts should be made to upgrade the Tien Sa Port, create a closer tourism link between Da Nang and the provinces of Thua Thien Hue and Quang Nam, and reduce land lease fees at Da Nang International Airport.

In 2017, special attention should be paid to ensuring the success of the APEC Economic Leaders' Week and the 6^th Asia Golf Tourism Convention (AGTC), and promoting the development of eco-tourism and community tourism in the city.

Municipal People’s Committee Chairman Huynh Duc Tho agreed with Mr Vinh’s suggestions.  He also underlined the need to develop Da Nang into a technological city in order to encourage visitors to stay longer and spend more money in the city.

In his closing speech, PaC Secretary Nguyen Xuan Anh asked local relevant agencies to speed up administrative reforms, enhance the efficiency of the fight against corruption, and create an open investment environment for investors from both home and abroad.  More measures should be taken to ease traffic congestion, and deal with the problems of environmental pollution and flooding.

Secretary Anh noted that 2017 will be the ‘Year of 4 Safe Programmes'.  He urged local relevant agencies to ensure security, traffic safety, food safety and hygiene, and social welfare for local residents. 

Greater efforts should be made to be well prepared for the large-scale events coming in 2017, including the activities to mark 20 years since Da Nang’s recognition as a centrally-governed city on 1 January 1997, the APEC Economic Leaders' Week, and the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival.  This will help the city become more attractive to visitors and uphold the city's position in the regional and global arena.