(VOVWORLD) - HCMC has set the task of building a sustainable marine urban ecosystem that can compete with coastal urban areas in the region and become an international maritime hub. As lead of the southern key economic region, HCMC has proactively outlined a marine economic development plan in combination with the international urban chain to contribute to the national strategy on sustainable development of the marine economy till 2030 with a vision to 2045.
 Can Gio Bay has all the potential and advantages for HCMC’s marine economic development. (Photo: VOV) |
The development of Can Gio Bay has been identified as the strategic direction for Ho Chi Minh City's economy. The area will focus on preserving the ecological environmental values, connecting with neighboring provinces, and spreading new, creative economic models.
The bay area has all the potential to form an "urban sea chain" when it is connected with coastal areas of neighboring provinces and cities like Vung Tau city, Cai Mep-Thi Vai port, Long Thanh international airport in Dong Nai province, and Go Cong Dong town in Tien Giang province,
Associate Professor Luu The Anh from the Vietnam National University Hanoi said that once the Can Gio biosphere urban model is completed, it will be a role model for Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam as a whole.
“HCMC authorities want to preserve and protect the urban area because it is connected with the Can Gio biosphere reserve. It is a giant green lung protecting the city’s socio-economic and environmental development,” said The Anh.
 Developing marine economy in HCMC should accompany with environmental protection. (Photo: VOV) |
Associate Professor Nguyen Chu Hoi, former deputy head of the Vietnam Administration of Sea and Islands, said that relying on the sea will change HCMC’s development scale and ensure proper exploitation of natural resources.
He said, “Boosting the marine economy in the region will tap the region’s potential. It will help promote economic development while ensuring national security sovereignty.”
Last year HCMC accounted for more than 37% of the total gross regional domestic product (GRDP) of all coastal provinces and cities; its foreign direct investment made up more than 25% of the total FDI in such localities; and nearly 11% of all localities nationwide.
Professor Dang Hung Vo, former Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, said if the marine economic development is designed in the right direction, it will certainly create a huge advantage for HCMC.
According to Vo, “HCMC has identified ways for sea-based economic development. What we should do now is to make the most of land and sea surfaces to grow sustainably. This is a solution to turn HCMC into a modern urban area.”