At a working session with the provincial leaders on July 22, Mr Dung acknowledged the province’s efforts in controlling inflation and stabilising the macro economy in the past six months, with a GDP growth rate reaching 10.62 percent. The industrial and service sectors made up more than 80 percent of its economic structure, tourism revenue increased by 23 percent and per capita income hit more than US$1,000.

However, to achieve a steady economic growth, Mr Dung asked Khanh Hoa to iron out snags to boost production and business activities in the agro-industrial, service and export sectors while accelerating administrative reforms and facilitating businesses’ access to capital sources to support production and exports.

He asked the province to closely monitor market developments, ensure an adequate supply of essential commodities for production and people’s lives, strictly deal with law-breakers and support the poor who are vulnerable to price rises and inflation.

The same day, Mr Dung made a fact-finding tour of the Van Phong economic zone which is a multi-functional economic zone complex and a large transit port in the region and the world. The zone has so far attracted around 70 investment projects with a total registered capital of more than US$23 billion, of which 20 projects have been operational.

Mr Dung urged Khanh Hoa province to complete the planning for the Van Phong economic zone with a view to making full use of its advantages, including geographical location, a deepwater seaport and an international airport to attract investment in tourism, financial and maritime services as well as industries of high economic values.

He gave opinions on the province’s proposals, including adjustments to the zoning plan of the Van Phong economic zone and projects to build a petrochemical complex, a thermal power plant and a steel mill there.  

He asked Khanh Hoa to upgrade Cam Ranh airport into an international airport, build Van Phong international container port and Dien Khanh-Khanh Vinh route to boost socio-economic development in the south-central and Central Highland regions.