Dong Nai province records a GDP growth of 15.08% in first quarter

The conference view

        In the first quarter, the province’s socio-economic situation still gained a positive growth rate in spite of many difficulties in the market. The province’s GDP is estimated at VND6,176 billion in the first 3 months, accounting for 21.2% of the year plan, up 15.08% roughly higher than that of the first quarter of 2007, including a 20.5% rise in construction-industry, an 16.8% increase in services, and a 4.4% rise in agriculture-forestry-fishery.

        The total export turnover reached over US$1.4 billion, up 20.7% compared to the same period last year. The FDI attraction hit more than US$280 million, accounting for 18.8% of the target. The province attracted VND4,000 million in domestic investment. The State budget revenue in the province gained VND2.800 billion, accounting for 26%. The total investment capital by the whole society achieved more than VND5,200 billion, over 19% higher than planned.

        The consuming demand and buying power remained high in the market though the price still strongly increased. The retail price of goods and services in the province increased 30.5% against the same period. In March 2008, the province’s consumer price index (CPI) grew 16.59% over the same period last year. Industrial production value also achieved a high level over the same period but just in Central State-owned industry, non-State-owned industry and foreign-invested industry, and decreased 6.9% in local State-owned industry compared to the same period. This was because the input materials were too high.

        In the field of agriculture, the whole province cultivated 35,555ha in 2007-2008 Winter-Spring crop, making up 97.1% (up 3.7% compared to the same period). 1,614 ha of inefficient rice crop were changed to cultivate corn and fruits, receiving a high yield.

        There were some encouraging results in the fields of culture and society. Many activities of art, culture and sports were organized excitingly across the province, which met the demands of people, especially those in deep-lying and rural areas. Special attention was paid to education, public health and health care for people.

        At the conference, leaders of provincial People’s Committee required that sectors should inspect and control the situation in order to promptly find out obstacles, and simultaneously act as counselors for Provincial Party Committee and Provincial People’s Committee. As for major construction projects, functional agencies should help units to be successful tenderers. Additionally, the provincial leaders expected departments to make great efforts to strongly step up administrative reform, especially administrative formalities.

        Reported by Thu Dung, Translated by THKC