Sustainable development plan for industrial sector
Ha Noi, Feb. 22 (VNA) -- Industry Minister Dang Vu Chu has identified boosting the production capacity and competitiveness of the industrial sector as the way to sustainable development.
In an interview with the Sai Gon Giai Phong, Liberated Sai Gon, daily, Chu says his ministry's 2001-2005 industrial development strategy is focussed on measures to increase efficiency and competitiveness to gain a bigger share in the domestic and global markets and boost productivity to meet local demand.
This year the ministry is making efforts to boost the sale of industrial goods, especially the export of processed products and hi-tech goods, in addition to the expansion of markets in Asia, Europe, the former Soviet Union and the U.S. to meet the target.
It will also work to effectively apply scientific and technological advances in a bid to improve the sector's production capacity and the competitiveness of made-in-Viet Nam industrial products as well as disbursing investment for key projects.
The minister regards production and corporate restructuring and the equitization of State-owned enterprises as other ways to improve management efficiency.
The ministry's industrial output was valued at more than VND 195,220 billion last year, an increase of almost 15.7 percent against 1999 and the highest since 1992. It recorded a year-on-year growth of 12.49 percent in 1998, 13.98 percent in 1997 and 14.12 percent in 1996.
Chu notes that the product quality has improved remarkably following the renewal of technology with better sales leading to the smaller stockpiles of industrial goods.
The minister says that last year's achievements stemmed from the well-prepared efforts by numerous enterprises over the past five years to creatively and dynamically implement the national 1996-2000 development plan.
He also attributes the industrial gains to the Government's policy encouraging the multi-sectorial economy and the introduction of the Enterprises Law and revised Foreign Investment Law.
Chu says enterprises helped by Foreign Direct Investment, have made significant contributions to the national economy with their product value accounting for 34 percent of the industrial sector's total turnover and 12 percent of Viet Nam's Gross Domestic Product. Their exports make up 23 percent of the country's export value, excluding crude oil.--VNA
