The Provincial Party Committee held its 10th meeting.

Overview of the conference. Photo: Thanh Duy

ECONOMY AND BUDGET REVENUE SET MANY NEW MILESTONES

In 2022, Nghe An's socio-economic situation saw many positive changes, with an estimated 27 out of 28 planned targets being met or exceeded. In particular, this year, many important economic indicators in Nghe An achieved relatively high results, with several setting new development milestones.

Comrade Bui Thanh An - Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, presented the reports of the Party Committee of the Provincial People's Committee to the Provincial Party Committee. Photo: Thanh Duy

Specifically, the Provincial Party Committee of the People's Committee stated: According to calculations by the General Statistics Office, the growth rate of the province's gross regional product (GRDP) is estimated at 9.08%. The province's budget revenue also exceeded 20,000 billion VND for the first time, estimated at 20,350 billion VND. Investment attraction (as of the end of November 2022) reached over 41,872 billion VND; of which FDI capital reached 939.45 million USD, ranking among the top 10 localities attracting the most FDI capital nationwide for the first time.

Total export turnover continued to grow quite impressively, estimated at 2.49 billion USD this year. This is the second consecutive year that Nghe An has exceeded the export target set in the Resolution of the 19th Provincial Party Congress (the target for 2025 is 1.765 billion USD).

Cultural and social fields continue to receive attention, especially education and healthcare, which have made significant progress. Administrative reform and improvements to the investment and business environment continue to be vigorously implemented. National defense, security, and social order are ensured, notably the successful organization of provincial and five-district regional defense and civil defense exercises, which were conducted with quality, safety, and according to plan.

Comrade Pham Hong Quang - Secretary of the Nghi Loc District Party Committee, speaks at the conference. Photo: Thanh Duy

At the conference, the members of the Provincial Party Committee unanimously agreed and highly appreciated the achievements of the province in 2022. In particular, many district Party leaders noted that this year, departments and agencies have strengthened their focus on the grassroots level, concentrating leadership, guidance, and close collaboration with the district level.

In addition, leaders of district, city, and town Party committees exchanged views, clarified, and proposed many more issues. Comrade Pham Hong Quang - Secretary of the Nghi Loc District Party Committee - suggested further assessment of the agricultural production situation during the year to find solutions for the future, given that despite a good harvest, efficiency was low due to the high cost of supplies and fertilizers, causing many farmers to lose interest in farming.

Ha Xuan Quang, Secretary of the Dien Chau District Party Committee, speaks at the conference. Photo: Thanh Duy

Dien Chau District Party Secretary Ha Xuan Quang suggested that the province should strengthen support for districts in applying science and technology to enhance the value of agricultural products. Sharing this view, Que Phong District Party Secretary Truong Minh Cuong proposed that the province develop a comprehensive program to develop agriculture along the value chain, especially linking the development of OCOP products with stable market outlets.

Regarding the aftermath of flash floods in the area, Comrade Vi Hoè - Secretary of the Ky Son District Party Committee - requested the prompt completion of procedures according to the general process for relocating and resettling households in the landslide-affected area. Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Cua Lo Town Party Committee, Pham Thi Hong Toan, requested the province to provide funding for land clearance for some state-owned facilities east of Binh Minh road, after the town has completed the clearance of stalls used by local businesses, in order to comprehensively renovate the area around Cua Lo beach;…

Secretary of the Que Phong District Party Committee, Truong Minh Cuong, speaks at the conference. Photo: Thanh Duy

At the conference, leaders of the Provincial People's Committee and several provincial departments and agencies exchanged information and clarified further the contents proposed by the leaders of the district, city, and town Party committees. Members of the Provincial Party Standing Committee also delivered speeches, evaluating and emphasizing several key points.

Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Hoang Nghia Hieu affirmed that, through directing grassroots activities, it has been observed that Nghe An's approach to comprehensive development linked with environmental protection, with a focus on key areas, is correct, and this approach has received the support of the public and officials.

Comrade Vi Hoè - Secretary of the Ky Son District Party Committee, speaks at the conference. Photo: Thanh Duy

Looking ahead, the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee suggested that priority should continue to be given to developing industrial and urban infrastructure; at the same time, administrative reform should be accelerated, emphasizing the role of leaders in creating change. He proposed reviewing and considering areas where shortcomings and weaknesses exist, and then studying adjustments to promote administrative reform.

Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Hoang Nghia Hieu suggested further analysis and clarification of responsibilities, especially those of local leaders, in disbursing public investment funds, thereby encouraging more decisive and effective implementation.

Comrade Nguyen Van De - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, speaks at the conference. Photo: Thanh Duy

Speaking at the conference, the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Nguyen Duc Trung, analyzed and clarified several issues related to the implementation of the goals and targets for 2022.

Based on the comprehensive achievements of this year, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee concluded that the most important lesson learned is the spirit of solidarity and unity from the Standing Committee, the Provincial Party Committee, and the Provincial Party Executive Committee spreading to all sectors and localities; unity in leadership, direction, and coordination in implementation, for example, this year the Provincial People's Council held 5 specialized sessions to address issues proposed by the Provincial People's Committee… In 2022, roles were also more clearly defined in terms of responsibilities and authority among sectors and localities.

Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Hoang Nghia Hieu speaks at the conference. Photo: Thanh Duy

Regarding the socio-economic development plan for 2023, the overall economic outlook is very challenging due to pressure from rising exchange rates, high inflation, and the impact of the global market, especially the decline in export orders. Therefore, the Party Committee of the Provincial People's Committee and the Provincial People's Committee have carefully considered the conditions and calculated a GRDP growth target of 9-10%. This growth rate is appropriate and fundamentally feasible for the province to achieve.

Based on an analysis of the shortcomings and limitations in 2022, the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Nguyen Duc Trung, emphasized several core and key tasks for 2023; including focusing on completing the preparation for submitting to the Politburo the summary of Resolution No. 26; and accelerating procedures and commencing the implementation of two strategic infrastructure projects: Cua Lo Deepwater Seaport and Vinh International Airport.

Sectors and localities also need to continue focusing on promoting administrative reform and improving the investment environment, especially regarding land clearance procedures, in order to attract industrial park infrastructure projects and create a foundation for attracting secondary projects. At the same time, it is necessary to overcome the limitations identified in 2022, namely the lack of smooth and effective coordination between sectors and between sectors and localities; and to address the issue of resolving business procedures by finding ways to remove obstacles.

The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee also requested that the subjective causes identified that led to limitations in the disbursement of public investment capital be addressed in order to accelerate the disbursement progress in 2023.

Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Duc Trung speaks at the conference. Photo: Thanh Duy

Regarding some of the proposals from localities, Comrade Nguyen Duc Trung also gave specific opinions and emphasized the need for stronger guidance in the coming period, such as: the issue of linking production, processing, and consumption stages in agriculture; researching and improving the remuneration for officials working in forest protection; accelerating the bidding process for supplying cement to new rural areas;…

FOCUS ON UNTIL THREE "KNOTS"

In his concluding remarks at the conference, based on an analysis of the difficulties and disadvantages, as well as the very positive results achieved by the province in 2022, Provincial Party Secretary Thai Thanh Quy summarized three key lessons: Leadership, direction, and management were focused, decisive, and targeted; the spirit of unity and consensus was emphasized; and the province's steps were on the right track, firm, sustainable, and not hasty or pursued at all costs.

Expressing strong agreement with the 2023 targets presented by the Party Committee of the Provincial People's Committee, Provincial Party Secretary Thai Thanh Quy suggested focusing on resolving the three identified "bottlenecks." Specifically, he proposed striving to commence construction of the Cua Lo deep-water seaport in early 2023, while also continuing to remove procedural obstacles to expedite the renovation and upgrading of Vinh International Airport.

Thai Thanh Quy, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, delivers the concluding remarks at the conference. Photo: Thanh Duy

Regarding the "bottleneck" in administrative reform, the head of the Provincial Party Committee stated that the province will soon establish a Steering Committee for Administrative Reform chaired by the Provincial Party Secretary, with each member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee assigned to specific sectors, fields, and units. The Provincial Party Secretary requested that district-level units and departments disseminate the province's determination, spirit, and approach, such as establishing working groups to monitor public opinion and feedback from citizens, businesses, and officials, in order to promptly rectify shortcomings and improve the effectiveness of administrative reform.

The Provincial Party Secretary emphasized the need to focus on advising on expanding the administrative boundaries of Vinh City in conjunction with the implementation of the national administrative boundary rearrangement plan in phase 2; striving to report the expansion plan to the National Assembly Standing Committee by early 2024.

In addition, focus on expanding the Southeast Economic Zone to create land for industrial development, serving as a springboard and driving force for the province's development.

From now until the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023, the Provincial Party Secretary requested that efforts be focused on coordinating with the Central Economic Committee to advise the Politburo on summarizing Resolution 26 on the direction and tasks for the development of Nghe An province and issuing a new resolution.

Next, the province needs to coordinate with central ministries and agencies to advise the Government to submit to the National Assembly at the regular session at the end of 2023 or at the latest the regular session in mid-2024 a Resolution on special mechanisms and policies for Nghe An; thereby institutionalizing the Politburo's Resolution and creating conditions for Nghe An to have a mechanism to accelerate its development more strongly.

In 2022, Nghe An's exports were estimated at 2.49 billion USD. (In the photo: Garment production at Thap-Hong-Ky Industrial Cluster, Dien Chau). Photo courtesy of Mai Giang.

At the same time, investors need to continue to accelerate the disbursement of public investment capital. Accordingly, it is necessary to promote the leadership and guidance role of the standing committees and executive boards of district, city, and town Party committees, especially the Party secretaries at all levels, who must actively participate in directing the process. Monthly reports on the progress of public investment capital disbursement in the area should be received to provide timely guidance and supervision.

State management in several areas, such as delayed projects, protection of natural resources and the environment, and waste and wastewater treatment, needs to be given more attention.

The Provincial Party Secretary requested that provincial and district-level authorities and departments review socio-economic targets and strive to achieve the best possible results in 2022.

The head of the Provincial Party Committee also requested good preparations for the Lunar New Year of the Rabbit 2023, especially in social welfare work, caring for policy beneficiary families and people with meritorious services; ensuring traffic safety and food safety; and noting the need to organize the "Tet for the Poor" campaign early to have the means to care for the poor so they can celebrate Tet earlier.