Gross domestic product (GDP) of the southern province of Dong Nai grewby 10.8 percent in the first half of 2014, doubling the national figure(5.18 percent), to stand at 24 trillion VND (1.14 billion USD), reportssaid.

The statistics were released at a session of the provincial People’s Council, which was opened on July 9.

Ofthe overall sum, nearly 15.4 trillion VND (733.3 million USD) came fromindustry – construction, rising by 11 percent year on year.

Another7.36 trillion VND (350.48 million USD) was contributed by the servicesector, up 11.6 percent, while the rest 1.3 trillion VND (61.9 millionUSD) was generated by agro-forestry-fishery activities, up 3.3 percent.

Overthe period, Dong Nai’s export revenue topped 6 trillion VND (285.71million USD), rising by 15.8 percent yearly. Exports by foreign investedcompanies saw the fastest pace at 17.3 percent.

Vice Chairman ofthe provincial People’s Committee Tran Minh Phuc attributed the surgein the production and export of garments, footwear, chemicals, processedfood and building materials to stable demand from foreign markets.

Hepointed out an array of difficulties in real estate though manymeasures have been taken, and said a fall in prices of export farmproduce also posed a problem due to fierce competition from othercountries.

For the rest of the year, Dong Nai will strive toachieve a GDP growth rate of between 10.8 and 11.8 percent and realiseall socio-economic targets.

To that end, the province will stepup streamlining administrative procedures, particularly those relatingto tax, customs, credit and land use, restructuring its economy, andimproving business climate.

It will also issue a list ofindustries in need of more investment, in which high technology,environmentally friendly and support projects are expected to beincluded.

Dong Nai, together with neighbouring Ho Chi Minh City,and Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, Tay Ninh, Binh Phuoc and Long Anprovinces, forms the southern key economic region.-VNA