Ha Nam (VNA) – The northern province of Ha Namhas set a target of 56.5 trillion VND (2.48 billion USD) in 2017 industrialproduction, a rise of 15.4 percent over 2016, heard a conference held by theprovincial Department of Industry and Trade on January 5 to launch tasks for thenew year.

Besides, the province aims at total retail sale and servicerevenue of 19.1 trillion VND, up 18 percent from the previous year, and exportvalue of 1.5 billion USD or 20 percent rise.

According to Tran Van Son, Vice Director of the department,in order to fulfil the targets, the province will focus on boosting the growthof support industry, processing and manufacturing industries, laying firm foundationfor the rapid and sustainable industrial development in the 2016-2025 period.

Meanwhile, Ha Nam will implement a tradepromotion programme towards 2020, while adjusting the planning of industry andtrade for the 2011-2010 period with a vision to 2030, said Son.

Son added that the local industry sector will coordinatewith other departments, sectors and localities to improve State managementcapacity in industry and trade, while ensuring stable power supply forsocio-economic activities, especially major projects and businesses.

At the same time, Ha Nam will hold regular dialogues withthe business community to tackle their difficulties, said Son, adding that theprovince will speed up administrative reform, improving working effectivenessand attitude of public servants and applying one-door mechanism in grantingbusiness licences.

Addressing the conference, Vu Dai Thang, Vice Chairman ofthe provincial People’s Committee asked the industry sector to work harder toremove obstacles facing businesses to boost production, thus fulfilling andexceeding the set targets.

The sector should create favourable conditions for underwayand planned projects to increase industrial production, while strictlyimplementing commitments to investors, he requested.

Thang also stressed the importance of careful selectionprojects to protect the environment, with priority given to high technologyindustry, support industry and industry serving agriculture.

In 2016, Ha Namenjoyed over 48.3 trillion VND in industrial production, a rise of 16.4 percentyear on year, while its industrial production index rose 13.2 percent over theprevious year.

Total retail and service revenue of the province reached16.5 trillion VND, up 16.7 percent year on year. Ha Nam also earned 1.25 billion USD inexports, a surge of 19.6 percent over 2015.-VNA