Date: July 17, 2003
Source: Asia Pulse
Author:

HANOI, July 17 Asia Pulse - Hai Phong should develop into a modern port and centre for industry now that it has been officially dubbed a "first-class city," Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan said.
The northern seaport is now Vietnam's first city to have been given the Prime Minister's designation.

Speaking at a ceremony to mark the event in the city last Sunday, Khoan said the recognition would be a turning-point for the city's development.

He urged the local people to work hard to turn Hai Phong into a modern port, as well as a centre of industry, tourism and service.

It should combine economic development with maintaining security and national defence, Khoan said.

A major port on the northern coast, it is expected to handle more than 18 million tonnes of cargoes a year by 2010.

Last year, the port handled 10.8 million tonnes of goods, up 13.5 per cent from 2001.

The city has set a target of producing over 140,000 tonnes of seafood by 2010, grossing US$1.5 billion to $2 billion in exports, for an average annual growth rate of 20 per cent.

While working the development of its port and shipping services, the city is also trying to boost its shipbuilding industry, aiming to build ships of up to 50,000 tonnes in the near future.

In addition, the city is tapping the potential of sea tourism. This sector is hoped to produce about $150 million by 2010, with the number of tourists rising 18 to 20 per cent annually.

Covering an area of 1,507 sq. km, Hai Phong has a population of nearly 1.7 million. More than 600,000 of the residents live in the urban area.

The city aims to attain an annual export turnover of $2.2 million by 2010.

Da Nang city in central Vietnam and Can Tho city in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of the same name are expected to be given the same designation in near future.

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are the country's two special urban areas.

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