The findings of a number of marine geology research projects and surveys over the past several decades were announced at a symposium held in the northeastern coastal province of Quang Ninh on October 9-10.

The first national symposium to focus on Vietnam’s marine geology and its role in sustainable development also discussed future strategies that would serve the development of a marine economy.

Approximately 80 projects conducted by domestic scientists plus seven scientific reports written by researchers from France, Russia, Germany and the Republic of Korea were presented at the conference.

These projects cover all aspects of marine geology, from mineral resources and marine power, geomorphology, fields of geophysics, natural environments and disasters to geology and sustainable development. The projects are considered extremely useful and will contribute to scientific research and the mapping out of marine economic development plans.

Dr. Nguyen The Tiep, Director of the Institute of Marine Geophysics and Geology, pointed out that Vietnam’s sea is rich in mineral and biological resources and potential energy. The sea plays a very important role in the socio-economic development of coastal countries, including Vietnam, he added.

Vietnam has set a target of raising the marine economic growth rate to 1.3 times the national economic growth by 2020, and of increasing the revenue from sea-borne industries to one third of the national GDP.

Exploitation of mineral resources, including oil and gas, has been identified as one of five key industries to be developed to create an impetus for national economic development in the future. (VNA)