Hai Duong economy flourishes

Processing and manufacturing industry is the highlight in Hai Duong's economic picture in the first 9 months of 2022. In the photo: Automatic production line at Hyundai Kefico Vietnam Co., Ltd. (Dai An Industrial Park). Photo: THANH CHUNG

Sticking to the goal of "Flexible adaptation, breakthrough growth", Hai Duong's economy in the first 9 months of 2022 recovered quickly with many clear marks after effectively controlling the Covid-19 epidemic, with a growth rate of more than 10%, the highest in the past 5 years and among the fairly good groups in the country.

Industrial and service highlights

Mr. Dinh Trinh Dung, Chairman of the Board of Directors and General Director of Hai Duong Garment II Joint Stock Company, said that over the past 9 months, the company has regained its growth momentum, even higher than before the pandemic. The company's export activities have not only recovered but also expanded with the number of orders increasing by about 5%. Similar to Garment II Joint Stock Company, good control of the pandemic in recent times has created conditions for businesses in the province to operate stably again, affecting the growth rate of the entire industry.

According to the Provincial Statistics Office, in the first 9 months of 2022, Hai Duong's industrial production index increased by 13.6% over the same period. Of which, the processing and manufacturing industry dominated with the highest growth rate, reaching 14.4%; electricity production and distribution increased by 9%. In the processing and manufacturing industry group, the electronic components, electrical equipment, motor vehicles, and textile industries played an important role in promoting the province's industrial development with a high growth rate, from 13-20%.

Trade and service activities recovered quickly. The total production value of the service industry in the first 9 months of 2022 is estimated at nearly 34,000 billion VND, up 8.8% over the same period last year. Total retail sales of goods and service revenue are estimated at nearly 63,000 billion VND, up 12.8%. The value of exported goods is nearly 8.3 billion USD, up 15.1%; imported goods are more than 6.6 billion USD, up 16.3%.

The most prominent feature of Hai Duong's economic picture over the past 9 months is the reopening of service activities after more than 2 years of "inaction" due to the pandemic. In total, in the first 9 months, the province welcomed and served nearly 700,000 tourists, including 23,300 international visitors. Revenue is estimated at nearly 317 billion VND, an increase of nearly 29 times compared to the same period last year.

The aquaculture sector develops stably and effectively.

Stable agriculture

The past 9 months also recorded high growth in Hai Duong's agricultural production with innovations in production and consumption, with a total estimated value of VND 15,600 billion, an increase of 3.5%. Ms. Luong Thi Kiem, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, assessed that the growth of agricultural sectors was stable and even. The method of production and consumption of agricultural products was innovated towards green growth and digital transformation to suit the market, achieving high economic efficiency.

In the field of cultivation, although there were fluctuations in the spring and summer rice growing areas, the crop yield decreased by nearly 1,000 hectares, but the crop yield was relatively high, averaging more than 63 quintals/ha. The rice area decreased to change the crop structure and serve non-agricultural activities. The area of ​​perennial crops in the province was zoned for specialized cultivation, focusing on improving productivity and quality. The key fruit tree is lychee, although the area decreased by 17 hectares, the output increased by nearly 6,100 tons. Some other fruit trees such as banana, guava, dragon fruit... all increased in output, contributing significantly to the value of crop production in the province.

The province's livestock and poultry have developed steadily. The total pig herd as of October 1 is estimated at 392,000, up 7.3%; the output of fresh meat for sale is estimated at 46,200 tons, up 9.9% over the same period last year. The number of buffaloes and cows has also increased in quantity and output of fresh meat for sale. The total poultry herd is estimated at nearly 16 million, up 4.9%.

The first 9 months of the year recorded positive changes in the aquaculture sector when people introduced many new aquatic breeds, diversified in types and ensured in quality, suitable for the surface water conditions of the province. Although the output of exploited aquatic products decreased by 6.5%, reaching only over 1,100 tons, aquaculture compensated for this shortage. The total aquaculture output in the province in the first 9 months reached over 71,300 tons, an increase of 6.5%. Of which, the output of caged fish reached over 14,000 tons, an increase of 14% over the same period last year. This is a farming method with high economic efficiency, so many households have invested in expanding the farming scale.

Despite many positive changes, the difficulties, challenges, complex and unpredictable fluctuations of diseases, weather, and prices of some materials and raw materials have significantly impacted the socio-economic development of the province. Livestock farmers are still hesitant to re-herd, and expanding the planting area is still limited. The commercial infrastructure system has not met the requirements, and the removal of difficulties for businesses that need to rent land for production and business is still slow... With the current disadvantages of the market, the Provincial Statistics Office forecasts that the province's growth for the whole year will only reach 9.7-10%. Therefore, in the last 3 months of the year, the whole province must strive to make a breakthrough and achieve the growth target of 10% or more in 2022.

Speaking at the regular meeting of the Provincial People's Committee last September, Comrade Trieu The Hung, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee affirmed that the economic picture of the province in the first 9 months of 2022 has many improvements, creating a clear mark after the Covid-19 epidemic was controlled. However, to complete the set goals, in the last 3 months of the year, all levels and sectors in the province must be highly determined, make great efforts, and thoroughly resolve difficulties and obstacles to continue the growth momentum. In particular, it is necessary to focus on effectively and promptly implementing solutions and policies with an appropriate roadmap to deal with the epidemic, creating a foundation to promote economic restructuring and improve growth quality. At the same time, regularly review production and business activities to promptly remove difficulties and develop safely during the epidemic. The province will closely cooperate and develop to maximize the potential and strengths of the Northern key economic region...

HOANG LINH