Jointly held by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), the Ministry of Investment and Planning (MOIP)and the Quang Ngai provincial People’s Committee, the forum was expected to help create foundations for Vietnam’s marine economy to develop in a sustainable and effective way with authentic brand names,

In his opening speech, MONRE Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Duc said it is necessary to raise awareness of marine products originating from Vietnam to build the brand names of domestic producers.

Nguyen Xuan Hue, Chairman of Quang Ngai provincial People’s Committee spoke highly of the coastal Dung Quat Economic Zone’s great contribution to the provincial socio-economic development.

In the 2006-2009 period alone, the zone has contributed nearly 50 percent of the local budget revenue and managed to join “the club of businesses with VND4,000 billion in revenues” in 2009.

Participants discussed feasible solutions and initiatives to increase brand awareness of Vietnamese marine products and develop coastal economic zones and build deep-water ports.

They agreed that deep-water ports and coastal economic zones play a crucial role in the development of the country’s marine economy and the protection of the nation’s sovereignty over its seas and islands.

They also recommended a long-term development plan and state policies to encourage foreign investment in marine economy.