Searching for sustainable development drivers

Quang Nam is making efforts to preserve and promote cultural values, aiming for cultural tourism and community tourism. IN PHOTO: Gong festival organized by Nam Giang district in 2024. Photo: PHUONG GIANG

Quang Nam is facing new requirements and challenges for its development journey: renewing what is old and engaging in pioneering solutions to reach the goals for the 2025 - 2030 period, with a vision to 2050.

Renew old motivation...

Over the past two decades, Quang Nam has made a breakthrough by making good use of its strengths and advantages from its “treasures”. Economic growth drivers such as industry, tourism, services and agriculture have not only contributed to boosting GRDP growth but also shaped Quang Nam’s strategic role in the national economic structure.

In particular, the emergence of Chu Lai Open Economic Zone, along with the effective exploitation of world cultural heritages such as Hoi An Ancient Town and My Son Sanctuary, has created outstanding marks, promoting the economic prosperity of the province.

However, many experts and researchers believe that some of Quang Nam's traditional driving forces have reached saturation and are no longer capable of ensuring sustainable growth. So how can we breathe new life into old driving forces? The infrastructure that used to only serve agricultural production and basic goods transportation is in need of a strong transformation.

At the scientific workshop "Current status of economic growth drivers from 2000 to present, identifying and proposing some solutions to mobilize growth in Quang Nam province in the period of 2025 - 2030 and vision to 2050" recently organized by the Provincial People's Committee, Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Quang Binh (University of Economics - University of Danang) affirmed that modern infrastructure is not only a bridge for goods and services but also a foundation for sustainable development.

“Quang Nam currently has a national highway ratio of 0.58km/1,000 people, far exceeding the national average (0.22km). But to turn this into a new driving force, the province needs to overcome the East-West gap, where the East is developing vigorously while the West remains quiet.

Investing in highways, upgrading the rural transport network (which accounts for 62% of the total road length) and expanding logistics infrastructure in the Chu Lai Open Economic Zone will help Quang Nam not only connect inter-regionally but also reach out to the global market. That is the way to turn infrastructure from a silent assistant into a leading spearhead" - Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Quang Binh analyzed.

High technology is applied to production, creating new growth momentum. IN PHOTO: Workers working at the THACO Group factory. Photo: THANH CONG

Tourism also needs to be given a “new coat” to maintain its position. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hong - Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism shared that tourism not only brings in revenue but is also a catalyst for local services, trade and production.

If in the past the province relied mainly on tourists coming to see Hoi An ancient town or explore My Son, now it needs to expand its "horizon" with eco-tourism, community experiences and unique cultural products.

At the same time, it is necessary to develop new types of tourism, including about 10 golf courses that meet standards for domestic and international sports tourism, develop health care associated with resort tourism, event tourism, sports conferences, rural and mountainous tourism.

To do this, Quang Nam needs to upgrade its infrastructure, promote international promotion, and transform tourism from the single “stars” of Hoi An and My Son into a shining network, both beautiful in image and rich in economic value. This is not just a renewal but a revolution for old motivations to regain vitality.

Stay ahead of the trend

Along with renewing the old, Quang Nam needs to embark on unexplored paths to welcome the future. Digital transformation, a concept that was almost unfamiliar in the early days of the 21st century, has now become the gateway to the 4.0 era.

Urban infrastructure is invested, aiming for green and sustainable development. In the photo: Current Tam Ky urban area. Photo: THANH CONG

In the paper on innovation, the group of authors, MSc. Bui Thi Thuan and Nguyen Thi Thuy Kieu, emphasized: “In the context of rapid global economic and social development, innovation has become the main driving force for sustainable development and enhancing the competitiveness of countries. This is identified as a key factor in transforming the economy, from a growth model based on cheap labor and natural resource exploitation to a knowledge-based economy, based on high technology and high-quality human resources.”

For digitalization to truly become a driving force, the province needs to invest heavily in high-speed network infrastructure, encourage e-commerce, and build innovative research centers that connect businesses with universities. This is the way for Quang Nam to not only catch up but also surpass, attracting high-tech investors and escaping the shadow of traditional industries that are gradually becoming obsolete.

Enterprises and labor productivity are also indispensable pieces in the new growth picture. Quang Nam needs enterprises that are globally competitive. To change, the province needs to support enterprises through tax incentives, access to capital and truly breakthrough policy mechanisms.

Dr. Nguyen Chin - former member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, former Head of the Provincial Party Organization Committee analyzed the perspective from total productivity (TFP), the core factor for growth: Quang Nam in the past 6 years has both recovered and ensured rapid growth.

During this period, it is necessary to both maintain and strengthen resources, especially capital, to restore and expand production capacity and continue to solve labor problems; and to make breakthroughs, develop in depth, increase productivity and new capacity to accelerate growth.

“In addition to solutions to increase the contribution value of total factor productivity, the province needs to increase the mobilization of social investment capital into the economy. At the same time, improve the efficiency of allocation and use of state investment capital.

Priority areas with driving forces for investment are investment in development planning, investment in transport infrastructure, essential technical and social infrastructure, and development of urban areas; industrial zones and clusters. Focus on infrastructure investment, effective mechanisms to attract a number of large projects with breakthroughs in the value of total industrial products, tourism services, and urban development" - Dr. Nguyen Chin shared.

Green human resources are another bright spot for sustainable development. MSc. Nguyen Ho Phuong Nhat and MSc. Phan Thi Thu affirmed that green human resources both promote the economy and protect the environment, enhancing the image of Quang Nam.

Unlike the past when labor was mainly used for agriculture and light industry, Quang Nam now needs to train a young generation with green skills and ecological awareness. This is both an economic driver and a commitment to the future, with a workforce that is a pioneer for green growth.

Quang Nam is determined to become one of the bright spots of the Central region's economy in particular and the country in general. With the determination of the government and the consensus of the people and businesses, many expectations are being sown for the journey of green and sustainable development...

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/tim-kiem-dong-luc-phat-trien-ben-vung-3151217.html