Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee met and directed to remove difficulties for cruise ship businesses

On September 27, Comrade Cao Tuong Huy, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee chaired a meeting to listen to opinions and wishes and direct the implementation of removing difficulties for businesses operating tourist boats on Ha Long Bay that sank in storm No. 3. Also attending was Comrade Nguyen Thi Hanh, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee.

Comrade Cao Tuong Huy, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee chaired the meeting.

Storm No. 3 made landfall, Quang Ninh was in the eye of the storm and suffered terrible devastation, especially serious damage, affecting most of the province's socio-economic activities. With winds of level 13-14 gusting to level 17, the storm caused 269 ships and boats operating in the province to sink, of which, 28 were tourist boats taking visitors to Ha Long Bay.

To ensure waterway traffic safety, clear inland waterways to meet the needs of restoring tourism activities and goods trading, immediately after the storm, the Department of Transport directed relevant units, coordinated with units and businesses to conduct salvage, identify sunken ship locations to warn passing vehicles... to ensure safety for waterways and routes. To date, 9/28 tourist ships have been salvaged, including 2 overnight ships.

Leaders of the Department of Transport reported on post-storm recovery work.

At the meeting, representatives of the Cruise Ship Association and cruise ship businesses in Ha Long Bay expressed their gratitude for the province's attention and direction in overcoming the storm so that tourism activities can soon return to normal; at the same time, they informed about some difficulties such as the high cost of salvaging sunken ships, difficult access to bank loans, and businesses still having to ensure financial obligations with tax and insurance policies.

From there, representatives of the Cruise Ship Association and cruise ship businesses proposed that the Provincial People's Committee have solutions to support and connect with salvage, repair and new construction units to have solutions to support businesses; support access to capital sources such as debt deferral, new loans, tax reduction according to current regulations of the State; support legal procedures in granting certificates, vehicle registration, etc.

Cruise ship business in Ha Long Bay informs about the unit's losses in storm No. 3.

After listening to and analyzing recommendations and proposals from businesses and representatives of relevant departments and branches, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Cao Tuong Huy shared the difficulties and losses of businesses operating tourist boats.

He emphasized: The tourist fleet is an inseparable part of the goal of effectively and sustainably exploiting the heritage and wonders of Ha Long Bay. The fleet has gradually improved its service quality, synchronization, modernization and professionalism.

In order to promptly support tourism businesses, the province has had many solutions and directions to overcome the situation immediately after the storm. However, some contents such as supporting the cost of salvaging ships in the State's regulations and policies do not have this provision. Given the special nature, Quang Ninh has reported and proposed to the Government and the Ministry of Transport to guide, supplement and expand the support objects so that tourism businesses can partially cover the cost of salvaging and repairing the damage to the watercraft sunk by storm No. 3.

Regarding the proposal to access capital, the Provincial People's Committee has worked with the State Bank and credit institutions to propose deferring debts and providing new loans in the form of unsecured loans. Currently, credit institutions are still implementing steps to provide specific instructions to individuals and organizations in need of accessing capital. Other units have also implemented tax exemption and reduction policies according to current regulations of the State.

On this occasion, he also requested businesses and professional agencies to continue researching, expanding and effectively exploiting the unique landscape value of Ha Long Bay in a sustainable manner, by reviewing, researching and introducing new tourism products; paying attention to infrastructure issues; ensuring the environment and protecting the landscape. In the immediate future, he suggested piloting a number of new sightseeing routes; urgently issuing new regulations and rules in managing the operation of tourist boats to meet and be consistent with the development goals of the province in the coming time.

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