"Wooden fish" will "pass the dragon gate"
(Interview with Comrade Ho Duc Phoc - Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, published in Nghe An Newspaper)
(Baonghean) - As the Year of the Horse draws to a close, Nghe An has achieved tremendous successes in all fields, creating new momentum and strength for the Party Committee and people of the province to enter the new Year of the Goat. Welcoming the New Year, Comrade Ho Duc Phoc, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, granted Nghe An Newspaper an interview about the solutions and efforts to achieve and surpass the goals of the Resolution of the 17th Provincial Party Congress and Resolution 26-NQ/TW of the Politburo on the development of Nghe An until 2020.
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| Provincial leaders welcome General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong during his visit to Nghe An (April 2014). Photo: Sy Minh |
Reporter:Dear Comrade Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Ho Duc Phoc, in 2014, our province achieved very important milestones. Could you please tell us what factors contributed to these results?
Comrade Ho Duc Phuoc:In 2014, we achieved tremendous success. GDP growth reached 7.24%, budget revenue reached VND 7,652 billion; 145 new investment certificates were issued for projects with a capital of over VND 43,892 billion, and many large investors invested in Nghe An such as Masan Group, Hoa Sen Steel, Visai Cement, Van An Company, Tuan Loc Company... Food production reached 1.2 million tons, the highest ever. The economic structure shifted in the right direction. Infrastructure saw many breakthroughs such as the expansion of National Highway 1A, Vinh Airport, and the system of overpasses,...
The fields of culture, health, and education have achieved many great accomplishments, creating significant milestones such as the inauguration of a 700-bed hospital, breast cancer treatment using stem cells, bone marrow transplantation, the number of students excelling internationally and nationally, and university admissions ranking among the top in the country, the new rural development program with 33 communes meeting all 19 criteria, maintaining national security and defense, and improving the material and spiritual lives of the people. To achieve these accomplishments, first and foremost, the strength comes from unity – unity within the Standing Committee and Executive Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, within the political system, and consensus among the people; coupled with the aspiration for progress and the will of the entire Party Committee, the people, the armed forces, and the business community, creating a revolutionary movement in socio-economic development, ensuring national defense and security, and building the Party.
Secondly, this success is due to favorable conditions stemming from Resolution 26 of the Politburo on the direction and tasks for the development of Nghe An until 2020, the Resolution of the 11th National Party Congress, Resolution XVII of the Provincial Party Committee, and the preferential mechanisms and policies of the Central Government for Nghe An, especially the attention of the Party, Government, ministries, sectors, and business organizations to the province, the homeland of President Ho Chi Minh. The third reason is that we correctly identified the goals, followed the right direction, adopted innovative approaches, and provided decisive leadership. For example, units and localities have actively applied scientific and technological advancements in agricultural and industrial production, as well as in healthcare, education, and state management.
Therefore, we have achieved high labor productivity, large output value, and good quality products such as TH true milk, oranges, passion fruit, tea, MDF factories, clean coal processing plants, etc., participating in the common value chain of the whole country and internationally. Administrative reform has been implemented decisively and effectively. Especially noteworthy is the effective leadership of the Standing Committee and the Provincial Party Committee over the entire political system and society in promoting production and business, poverty reduction, and social welfare to fulfill socio-economic tasks in the recent past.
Reporter:Comrade Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, besides the achievements, what shortcomings do you think we still have?
Comrade Ho Duc Phuoc:Last year, Nghe An achieved significant milestones, but there are still many shortcomings that need to be addressed. However, this issue should be viewed positively; the shortcomings and limitations of the previous year will serve as lessons learned and solutions for improvement in the coming years. Although Nghe An made relatively good progress in 2014, the reality and general development trends demand a leap forward, that is, a major breakthrough for the economy. Only then can the goals set out in Resolution 26 of the Politburo be achieved, which aims for Nghe An to become the economic center of the North Central region in seven sectors by 2020, becoming the most prosperous province in the North as President Ho Chi Minh wished.
If our economic growth and the size of our economy remain at the 2014 level, it will take approximately 10 more years for our province to achieve a balanced budget. Last year, we collected nearly 8,000 billion VND in revenue; with an annual increase of about 1,000 billion VND, it will take another 10 years to reach 18,000-19,000 billion VND. Currently, the province spends 14,000 billion VND annually, and by that time, budget spending may reach a balance between revenue and expenditure. Therefore, Nghe An cannot yet become a prosperous province; the goal of becoming the most prosperous province will be difficult to achieve. Accordingly, in 2014, the average per capita income was only 26 million VND (over 1,200 USD), while the requirement by 2020 is to reach an average income of 3,200-3,500 USD/person/year.
This simple calculation highlights the urgent need to focus on building economic pillars, creating major economic breakthroughs, attracting and implementing large-scale projects, and creating momentum for restructuring the economy towards sustainable development. It emphasizes attracting investment to develop industry, services, tourism, trade, and high-tech agriculture linked to processing. It also requires promoting the application of scientific and technological advancements and new technologies in the development of agriculture, forestry, and mineral exploitation and processing in Western Nghe An. Simultaneously, a series of solutions are needed, ranging from administrative reforms and streamlined policies to human resource training, resource mobilization, the construction of industrial zones, and accelerated investment in infrastructure such as airports, seaports, transportation systems, border gates, and urban areas in the most efficient and effective manner.
Reporter:2015 is the final year of implementing the Resolution of the 17th Provincial Party Congress. So, what are the key tasks we need to focus on, Comrade Secretary?
Comrade Ho Duc Phuoc:2015 was the year of the 18th Provincial Party Congress, for the 2016-2020 term, and also a pivotal year for implementing a new term with high breakthrough requirements. Currently, the Prime Minister has approved the plan to upgrade Vinh Airport to an international airport; expanded the Vinh City planning until 2030, with a vision to 2050; Cua Lo Town has been designated as a coastal tourism city; Hoang Mai and Dong Hoi Industrial Zones are enjoying policies similar to the Southeast Economic Zone; and procedures are underway for the VSIP 6 Industrial Zone, along with many other preferential mechanisms. In 2015, the tasks and solutions were reported at the Provincial People's Council meeting and published in many media outlets.
Here, I will focus on a few groundbreaking projects such as: the construction of berths 5 and 6 at Cua Lo Port to allow 30,000-ton vessels to enter and exit, and the acceleration of the Vinh urban infrastructure upgrade project to make Vinh City a true growth engine; the North Nghe An irrigation upgrade project funded by Japan's JICA; the construction of the Vinh City raw water treatment plant, VSIP 6 Industrial Park, and the Textile and Garment Industrial Park; the Do Luong, Tan Thang, 12-9, and Hoang Mai cement plants with a production capacity of approximately 8 million tons/year; and many other projects to create major breakthroughs for the economy.
It is necessary to focus on directing and promoting the development of economic zones. Firstly, the Western Nghe An region; secondly, the Vinh - Cua Lo region and the Southeast Economic Zone; and thirdly, the Hoang Mai - Dong Hoi region. These are the three major economic breakthroughs for the province. The construction of the 2400 MW thermal power plant should be implemented; the MDF plant, the clean coal plant, the Hoa Sen steel sheet plant, and the Masan food plant, which are still under construction, should be completed; and the development of Western Nghe An and the development of Nghe An's businesses should be prioritized as a solid foundation for economic development. This is the premise and foundation for achieving the target of approximately 30,000 billion VND in budget revenue per year in the next term. Alongside creating economic breakthroughs, it is necessary to promote social progress, focusing on poverty reduction, education and culture development, ensuring social security, and comprehensively strengthening national defense and security. Only by doing so can Nghe An become a model province and the most prosperous province in the northern region.
Reporter:Comrade, in your speech to the provincial People's Council delegates at the opening session of the 13th session of the 16th term, you figuratively said, "The wooden fish must become a gift for guests from outside the province, but it must be a wooden fish that has overcome the 'dragon gate'." So, in order for the "wooden fish" to overcome the 'dragon gate', what solutions do you think Nghe An needs to implement?
Comrade Ho Duc Phuoc:I believe that to become wealthy, one must first have the aspiration to become wealthy. Therefore, the first step is to spread the idea, awareness, and aspiration for wealth among every citizen of Nghe An. This includes the 3.2 million people of Nghe An living in their homeland, and nearly the same number living throughout the country and abroad. They all need to share the same aspiration and will to build Nghe An into a prosperous and exemplary province, as President Ho Chi Minh instructed before his passing. To achieve this, it is clear that every citizen, every official, and every Party member must be a pioneering force, a leading example, and the businesses of Nghe An province must shoulder the responsibility of being the pillars and cells of the province's economy, striving to demonstrate their crucial role as a driving force in economic development.
In the coming period, the province will focus on four groups of solutions revolving around four pillars of the economy. Firstly, developing Western Nghe An into a shining example of economic development by applying scientific and technological advancements to the region, linking agriculture with high-tech processing industries to create export value and participate in global value chains. Secondly, promoting infrastructure development. Thirdly, continuing administrative reforms, issuing policy mechanisms, and proposing to the Central Government the issuance of preferential policy mechanisms. Fourthly, developing services, tourism, and trade. Within the service sector, emphasis will be placed on financial and banking services; human resource training services; healthcare services; and cultural and sports services. These services will support tourism development. As for the commercial sector, it is essential to develop key products for the province to participate in global supply chains and product markets in the context of deep international integration; this is a very urgent requirement.
To implement the above solutions, it is necessary to take shortcuts and anticipate trends, meaning applying the latest science, technology, and techniques in all fields. For example, the TH Group's dairy farming project has applied Israeli technology; the MDF wood factory applies German technology; and the clean charcoal production plant applies the latest German technology to extract forest products such as trunks, branches, treetops, and even undergrowth to produce clean charcoal for export, creating jobs and income for hundreds of thousands of workers. Furthermore, it is crucial to focus on developing human resources, because for industrialization and modernization, the workforce must meet the needs not only of the North Central region but also of international investors and even for exporting high-skilled labor to international markets.
Therefore, universities, colleges, and vocational schools in the province must strive to offer training programs that are on par with regional and international standards. Another issue is addressing the province's workforce through career guidance and vocational training; those who do not attend university should receive vocational training to secure employment sooner. The province will develop a strategy focused on vocational training to ensure a sufficient supply of human resources for industrial zones and economic corporations, so that everyone has a job and income. Regarding human resource development, Nghe An has already taken effective steps.
For example, in 2014, Nghe An province achieved one of the top 10 scientific and technological achievements nationwide: treating breast cancer through stem cell transplantation. This wasn't something that happened overnight; it required preparation. Three years prior, we invited experts from the central government to work with the province (when I was the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee). Similarly, the recognition of Nghe An's folk songs (Vi and Giam) as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity is also the result of the accumulation and refinement of Nghe An's cultural essence. Evidence of this is the fact that Nghe An currently has over 80 folk song clubs with thousands of members, including nearly 50 artisans. As the "specialty" of the Ví and Giặm folk songs has spread and blended into the global mainstream, it is also the time for every citizen of Nghe An to recognize the need to build a more developed culture, meeting the demands of integration and, further, ensuring that culture truly serves as both a goal and a driving force for sustainable economic development. Our most precious and proudest asset is our people.
Our greatest pride and valuable resource is our people and cultural traditions, especially our culture of studiousness, academic excellence, self-reliance, loyalty, sincerity, and honesty. Historically, some people have thought the story of the "wooden fish" was meant to mock the people of Nghe An for being poor, thrifty, and stingy but also pretentious, without exploring the aspect of the Nghe An scholar as intelligent, studious, loyal, honest, self-respecting, and strong-willed. Therefore, building a prosperous and strong Nghe An also affirms the talent, generosity, and loyalty of the people of Nghe An. Thus, from 2015 onwards, Nghe An must focus on implementing breakthrough solutions centered around four pillars of economic development to create momentum for the next term. This will lead to high and rapid economic growth in Nghe An; it will be the "golden key" to becoming the economic center of the North Central region and one of the most prosperous provinces in the North by the end of the term. That was also the moment when "the wooden fish of Nghe An crossed the dragon gate."
Reporter:The Year of the Horse has ended, and we are preparing to welcome the New Year of the Goat. What message does the Provincial Party Secretary have for all cadres, Party members, and people of the province?
Comrade Ho Duc Phuoc:First of all, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all cadres, Party members, and all compatriots and soldiers for their immense contributions to the socio-economic development and national defense and security of Nghe An province over the past year. 2015 opens up new opportunities and prospects. I wish all compatriots and soldiers of the province good health, happiness, prosperity, and the successful completion of their duties in their respective positions, building Nghe An into an increasingly strong province and a model province, the most prosperous in the Northern region. With a spirit of close unity, responsibility, aspiration, a tradition of learning, culture, and revolution, and with the efforts of the Party Committee and people of the province, we will surely overcome all difficulties and achieve comprehensive victories, fulfilling the goals of Resolution 26 of the Politburo.
Reporter:Thank you, Comrade Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee!
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