Hanoi (VNA)- The development of maritime economy and the safeguarding of national defence,security and sovereignty at sea must be combined as one of major measures setforth to implement the strategy on exploitation and sustainable use of maritimeresources and environment to 2020 with a vision towards 2030.

The strategy,which was approved by the Prime Minister on September 6, 2013, aims to raise thecontribution of the maritime and coastal economy to the country’s GDP to 53-55percent, said Nguyen Dinh Tuan Le from the Hanoi University of NaturalResources and Environment.

It targets tacklingsocial issues and making considerable improvements in the living conditions forlocals in coastal areas by doubling their average per capita income compared tothe country’s average amount.

He held that thegoals are reachable as Vietnam has a great advantage of 3,260km of coastline anda sea area of more than 1 million square kilometers, along with more than 3,000islands and islets dotted in 28 cities and provinces nationwide.

The potential and advantagealso affirm the significant and strategic role of sea and islands in thenational construction and defence, said Le.

He noted that the scaleof the maritime and coastal economy has been expanded rapidly, reflected by obviouschanges in economic structure and the emerging of new economic sectors.

In 2000, the maritimeand coastal economic sector contributed 47 percent of the country’s GDP. Many islandshave high potential in economic growth, including Phu Quoc in southern coastalKien Giang province and Cat Ba and Van Don in northern coastal Quang Ninhprovince.

In order tofurther increase the role of the maritime economy, it is necessary to strengthenoffshore fishing and adjust coastal fishery, boosting the development of environmentalfriendly aquatic farming, said Le.

He alsounderscored the necessity of developing a fishery logistics service system, includingseaports, shipbuilding, ship repair and fishing equipment facilities, storage,processing and consumption services, along with communications, search and rescueoperations at sea.

The Government hasalso issued a policy to support fishermen, giving soft loans with an interestrate of 3 percent in 10 years for the building of steel-hull vessels foroffshore fishing.

As part of effortsto assist fishermen in operating at sea and contributing to safeguarding thenational sovereignty over sea and islands, the banking system has supported fishermenin upgrading their old vessels and building new ones.

The State Bank ofVietnam has launched a 10 trillion VND package for fishermen who will alsoreceive subsidy for 50 percent of loan interest rates from the central andlocal budgets.

At the same time,the Party and State have recently adjusted the strategy for maritime economicdevelopment in line with strengthening defence and security to suit the newmindset on seas and oceans, while increasing communications on national defenceand improve capacity for those who operate at sea and islands.

Research on seastrategies of other countries in the region and the world will be conducted to helpdesign suitable maritime policies to effectively protect the nationalsovereignty over seas and islands.

Internationalrelations activities will be promoted to ensure the efficiency of the upcomingCode of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, while the legal and policy systemwill also be completed.

Meanwhile, theorganisation of authorised forces, including maritime liaison, fishery inspectionand coast guard forces, has been strengthened.

Currently,authorised agencies are also zoning maritime areas basing on the ecosystem andplanning, thus defining areas exclusively for defence activities.

The local governmentsin island localities have also been supported to improve their capacity toforge stronger socio-economic development in their localities and organizelocal forces efficiently serving the safeguard of national sovereignty over seasand islands.

The solidarityamong fishermen and between them and authorised agencies, especially maritimeborder guards, is also crucial in building a people-based defence.-VNA