Bac Lieu shifts strongly to hi-tech farming, renewable energy

A technical worker is seen at a hi-tech shrimp farm developed by Viet - Uc Seafood Corporation in Bac Lieu Province. The province is boosting hi-tech agriculture seen as one of the pillars for sustainable development - PHOTO: TRUNG CHANH

CAN THO – Many enterprises at an investment conference in Bac Lieu Province on January 30 got investment certificates or cut deals with authorities to develop projects there, with total capital amounting to VND99 trillion. The striking feature at the conference is that several investment projects or plans there indicate the provincial government’s bold shift to hi-tech farming and renewable energy, a move which is described by an economist as a path to sustainable development.

Noteworthy projects

At the conference on investment promotion and sustainable development attended by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, the provincial government awarded certificates to  five companies to invest in hi-tech agriculture worth more than VND1.2 trillion in total. These include Vinhthinh Biostadt JSC, Truc Anh Co Ltd, AZ Vietnam Technology Investment Co Ltd, Viet-Uc Bac Lieu JSC and Indochina International JSC.

Investment certificates were also given to TVM Co Ltd, Truong Hai Auto Corporation, Nguyen Hoang Development and Investment JSC, and Dong Duong Corporation of Central Group Vietnam for their projects in tourism, commerce, service and healthcare sectors with investments totaling nearly VND1.5 trillion. 

In addition, the provincial government approved investment intents by eight investors to develop renewable energy projects requiring a total of more than VND81.6 trillion.

Within the framework of the conference, the Bac Lieu provincial government in coordination with Viet-Uc Group launched a hi-tech agricultural park project covering 418 hectares in the province. Besides, local authorities and Cong Ly Construction, Trade and Tourism Co Ltd jointly kicked off the third phase of the Bac Lieu wind power plant project, with a capacity of 142 MW.

Themed “Waking up Potential – Sustainable Development,” the conference gathered around 500 domestic and international delegates, representing ministries, localities, investment promotion agencies, business associations of some countries in Vietnam, and investors.

New vision

Addressing the conference, Tran Dinh Thien, director of the Vietnam Institute of Economics, hailed the provincial government for its new vision by identifying the locality’s advantages and associating such advantages with suitable technologies.

“Wind and sunshine have always been the same since the old days, but such things were not considered as advantages. However, when identified and associated with suitable technologies, such advantages will create power to drive up economic growth,” the economist told the conference, referring to renewable energy projects that got blessing on January 30.

What is the most significant, Thien said, is “we now recognize advantages in natural phenomena,” and such an approach would help the country develop faster.

The economist appreciated new projects in Bac Lieu, including a high-tech shrimp farming project and renewable energy projects.

Regarding energy, Thien said, Danang City many years ago turned down thermo-power projects due to environment concerns “while Bac Lieu rejects thermo-power projects as it opts for clean energy projects,” which shows a significant vision towards development.

Addressing the conference, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc spoke highly of Bac Lieu’s continuous economic growth in recent years and its decision to withdraw coal-fired power projects from the power sector planning.

Phuc suggested the province focus on sustainable development, with four core areas namely high-quality rice production, aquaculture, renewable energy and processing industry.

Besides, the province should promote cooperation with HCMC and other provinces in the Mekong Delta, especially the neighboring provinces of Kien Giang, Soc Trang and Ca Mau, promote entrepreneurship, improve business environment and accelerate transport development.

Priorities should be given to infrastructure investment, labor productivity improvement, and information technology application to facilitate socio-economic development.