Dong Nai province: Service sector continues to be on sharp increase

Economic structure continues to be shifted strongly in the direction of industrialization, especially the service sector is sharply developed. The added value of service sector was 17.3% compared to the year 2007, contributing an increase of 31.5% in 2008 (29% in 2006) to the GDP structure. In particular, the service sector in 2008 gained over VND4.8 billion with a growth rate of 117.31%. Of this figure, wholesale and retail trade, real estate, and renting business activities accounted for over 20%, the growth rate of service sector was higher than that of the provincial economy (17.31%). Retail trade, tourism, financial intermediation, transports, communication, real estate, and renting business activities recorded a high proportion and a strong growth rate, attracting a flood of investment projects in service sector. Specifically, the number of enterprises operating in service sector was 15000/18000 of total new registered enterprises in 2008, creating nearly 10,000 jobs in the province. At present, about 75% of enterprises are operating in the fields of trade and services and the trading activities gain the highest percentage. The registered investment capital in the service sector reached US$1,780 million in 2008, accounting for 80% of the newly registered capital, luring 15 investment projects.

Steering Committee for Service Development holds a review meeting

          Infrastructure for trade and services has developed strongly in both urban and rural areas; the demand-supply balance for goods and services has been ensured in the market; the retail distribution network continues to develop with a high growth rate. According to the statistics in 2008, total retail sales of goods and services was VND36,545 billion, accounting for 108.1% of the yearly plan, a 35.1% increase compared to the year 2007. Total export turnover is estimated at US$14,995 billion, occupying 99% of the yearly plan, rising 27.5% over the same period. Of which, the export turnover reached US$6,849 billion, accounting for 97.7% and increasing 25.1% against the same period, and the import turnover is estimated at US$8,146 billion, representing 99.3% and rising 28,7% over the same period.

          The passenger transport services have made a breakthrough. The province has so far had 124 transport routes with 253 vehicles/7,828 chairs in 20 cities and provinces across the country; the bus network is expanded and enhanced in term of the service quality which is approved by residents, especially by workers in industrial zones. The province now has 24 bus routes with 1,663 trips. Besides, 3 taxi transport enterprises is operating with 243 cars/1,598 chairs.

Dong Nai province makes a breakthrough in transport sector

          Tourism services develop strongly with positive changes in the quality, increasing the tourist attractions and strongly improving domestic travel business. It is estimated that the province welcomed 1.37 million turns of tourists, increasing 24.45% over the year 2007. Turnover from tourism sector in the province was expected to reach VND250 billion, up 19.02%. Travel business developed strongly with 43 enterprises, of which 2 enterprises trading in international travel, and 41 ones trading in domestic travel, meeting the demand of tourists.

Customers conduct transaction at Mekong Housing Bank (MHB)

          Such important services as banking and financial services, insurance, scientific activities and technology have also gained initial achievements, especially the banking services in the province. The province has so far had more than 340,000 payment deposit accounts, 33 banks participating in electronic clearing operations organized and directed by the State Bank. 407,000 ATM and credit cards have been issued by December, 2008 with 170 ATM machines, and the total mobilized capital of VND27,696 billion, up 38.1%.

          Telecommunication services continue to growing at high rates. Its turnover is estimated at VND1,785 billion, reaching 102% of the plan, up 17.7% over the same period. The number of phones was 66.9/100 residents. Telecommunication activities are ensured to meet the demand of socio-economic development.

          The province’s high-quality health services also gained positive changes in spite of facing many difficulties in human resources and infrastructure.

Reported by Nguyen Thuong, Translated by Minh Minh