Improve investment environment, promote economic development

(Baonghean) - On the occasion of the New Year, Nghe An Newspaper interviewed Comrade Nguyen Xuan Duong - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee about the achievements in 2013 and the main solutions to effectively implement the socio-economic development plan in 2014. The following is the content of the interview:

Reporter: In 2013, despite the difficulties caused by the economic recession and heavy losses caused by natural disasters such as storms and floods, under the leadership of the Provincial Party Committee and the direction of the Provincial People's Committee, the province's socio-economic performance in 2013 achieved remarkable results. Could you please tell the readers of Nghe An Newspaper some of the main results?

Comrade Nguyen Xuan Duong:In 2013, there were many difficulties due to the slow recovery of the world and domestic economy, unpredictable developments; unusual weather, the impact of storms No. 8, 10, 11 causing great damage; complicated developments of epidemics and pests; production and business of enterprises, especially industrial production, construction, real estate business continued to face difficulties... However, with the attention and direction of the Central Government: the Politburo issued Resolution No. 26 - NQ/BCT on the direction and tasks for the development of Nghe An province until 2020; the Government issued Resolution No. 47/NQ-CP on the establishment of Hoang Mai Town and Decision No. 2355 - QD/TTg on the Project for socio-economic development of Western Nghe An until 2020; Especially the solidarity, consensus, and efforts of the entire political system in synchronously implementing solutions to overcome difficulties and promote socio-economic development, the province's socio-economic development in 2013 achieved some remarkable results: In the economic field: completed 20/25 socio-economic development targets. Gross domestic product growth rate reached 7% (same period in 2012 reached 6.13%); in which agriculture - forestry - fishery increased by 4.14%; industry - construction increased by 5.34%; services increased by 10.2%. Average income per capita reached 23.57 million VND/year (in 2012 it was 21.22 million VND). Budget revenue showed signs of improvement, the whole year was estimated at 6,062 billion VND, equal to 108% of the estimate, up 6.5% over the same period. Total mobilized social capital in 2013 is estimated at 31,729 billion VND, an increase of 8.54% compared to 2012.

Foreign affairs and investment promotion have been innovated, implemented strongly, widely and effectively, taking advantage of domestic and foreign resources. As of November 15, 2013, investment certificates have been granted to 72 projects with a total registered capital of over VND 12,885 billion, including 67 domestic investment projects and 5 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects. Many large projects have been implemented, contributing to creating jobs for nearly 12,000 workers.

Leaders of Hai Vina Kim Lien Company Limited (Nam Dan) introduced the factory's operating process to Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Xuan Duong and the provincial delegation. Photo: Huu Nghia.

Some projects of large investors have started to invest such as: BECAMEC Binh Duong Industrial Development Investment Corporation, Hoa Sen Group Joint Stock Company, Nam Dan - Van An Company Limited and investors from Korea, Japan, Singapore... Some large projects have been completed and put into operation such as: Hua Na Hydropower Plant, Khe Bo Hydropower Plant, Hanosimex Garment Factory, TH Milk Factory, Tien Phong Plastic Factory... Large projects invested by the State budget have also received support from the Central Government such as: Government bonds (more than 1,000 billion VND), 700-bed Hospital, Oncology Hospital (from ODA capital of Hungary); flood control works for 9 communes in region 5 Nam - Nam Dan (from Saudi Arabia), Ben Thuy saltwater prevention and freshwater retention sluice, ODA projects on irrigation in North Nghe An, drainage in Vinh City...

The cultural and social fields continue to develop. As a result, the quality of education continues to have positive changes; the quality of excellent students is stable and solid; many achievements have been achieved in national and international excellent student competitions, university and college entrance exams. Social security is guaranteed. The number of poor households has decreased sharply, the poverty rate is 12.5%. New jobs have been created for more than 36,000 workers. Social policies have been effectively implemented to eliminate hunger and reduce poverty.

Comrade Nguyen Xuan Duong inspected the boat mooring system at Lach Quen fishing port (Quynh Luu). Photo: HN

Reporter: Besides the results achieved in 2013, there are still some aspects and areas that need to be overcome. What are they specifically, comrade?

Comrade Nguyen Xuan Duong:Some aspects and areas that need to be overcome and strived for in the coming time are:

- There are 5/25 main targets that did not meet the set plan and were lower than the same period, requiring drastic direction, including: growth rate of industrial and construction production value; rate of malnourished children under 5 years old; number of schools meeting national standards; number of hospital beds per 10,000 people and rate of communes, wards and towns with synchronous cultural and sports facilities.

- Has not attracted large breakthrough projects to create great changes. Has not promoted local resources well. Nghe An's economic backwardness compared to some provinces in the region has clearly appeared.

- The progress of new rural construction is still slow; many targets and key products have not met the set targets; management work in some areas is still slow, basic construction debt is still large, and the quality of some projects has not met requirements.

Some pressing social issues have been addressed, but progress is still slow, such as: the rate of third child births; the spirit, style, and service quality of some health sector officials and some other sectors; illegal mineral exploitation, resettlement of some hydropower projects; tax arrears of enterprises; limited direction in implementing anti-corruption and waste prevention work.

- The direction and management of some Party committees and authorities in some areas, especially in culture and society, is still limited; administrative reform has changed but is slow and lacks determination; the sense of responsibility and public ethics of some officials and civil servants is not high, causing difficulties for the grassroots, businesses and people.

- The security, order and social safety situation is still complicated: disputes and complaints related to administrative boundaries, encroachment, encroachment, land, compensation for site clearance, construction of projects, environmental pollution... still occur. Drug crimes and social evils have decreased but still have many potential complications. Some complaints and denunciations have been prolonged but have not been resolved completely.

Reporter: Could you please tell us about the issues that need to be focused on in the direction and operation work in 2014?

Comrade Nguyen Xuan Duong:That is to focus on overcoming limitations and weaknesses in implementing socio-economic targets. In particular, strengthening measures to overcome shortcomings and weaknesses in the operation of the state apparatus at all levels; in the organization and implementation of policies that are not consistent; the implementation of policies, laws, discipline and order has not been implemented, reducing the effectiveness of the law and the efficiency of the state management apparatus.

Overcoming the lack of determination in urging, directing, and operating, the fear of collision, fear of making mistakes, and the lack of specific operation and close adherence to the instructions. The initiative in handling at the grassroots level is still weak, and mobilizing internal resources of many establishments is still difficult.

Enhance the responsibility of heads of agencies and units in state management in general and administrative reform in particular; pay attention to the management of cadres and civil servants in some units; resolutely handle violations.

Reporter: 2014, the pivotal year of concluding the implementation of the 17th Provincial Party Congress, is the first year of implementing Resolution 26-NQ/TU on the direction and tasks for the development of Nghe An province until 2020, the task of the entire Party Committee and the people of the province is very great. Could you please tell us about the basic directions and tasks?

Comrade Nguyen Xuan Duong:2014 is forecasted to be a year of continued difficulties; in order to complete the goals and targets of the Party Congresses at all levels and the 5-year Socio-Economic Development Plan (2011-2015), we must now set out directions and solutions to complete and exceed the targets of the 2014 socio-economic development plan in the following direction: continuing to improve the investment environment, mobilizing and effectively using resources, promoting sustainable production and business development, gradually re-establishing growth momentum on the basis of implementing the economic restructuring project.

To do that, it is necessary to well implement the main tasks and solutions that the Provincial People's Committee has reported and approved by the Provincial People's Council, focusing on the following main tasks and solutions:

1. Direct and operate resolutely, seek the support of central ministries and branches, focus on the most effective implementation of Resolution No. 26-NQ/TU of the Politburo on the direction and tasks of Nghe An province's development until 2020, Decision No. 2355/QD-TTg dated December 4, 2013 of the Prime Minister on the project for socio-economic development in Western Nghe An. Continue to review and supplement the Master Plan for socio-economic development of the province, branches and districts until 2020 and the Action Program to implement the Economic Restructuring Project according to Decision No. 339/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister.

2. Strengthen administrative reform, considering it a key task of decisive importance in attracting investment, production, business, and promoting socio-economic development of the province. Timely resolve complaints and denunciations; improve the effectiveness of anti-corruption and anti-waste work, ensuring publicity and transparency in all areas.

3. Improve the effectiveness of direction and management at all levels and sectors; strengthen and promote the responsibility of leaders; improve public ethics, strictly handle negative behaviors and violations among cadres and civil servants; review and supplement the functions and tasks of all levels and sectors to effectively perform assigned tasks.

4. Focus on exploiting the province's potential and advantages, strengthening management, nurturing and developing revenue sources, handling tax arrears of enterprises... Expanding foreign affairs activities at home and abroad, continuing to maintain and promote good relationships with friendly and traditional partners, while innovating forms and methods in investment promotion to create a more favorable environment for investors.

Focus on removing difficulties for enterprises, cooperatives, etc. to promote production and business development. Review, rectify, and resolve backlogs in land management, site clearance, mineral exploitation, environment, and forest protection.

5. Take care of cultural and social issues, ensure social security and welfare: Continue to review the implementation of policies for people with meritorious services and social protection policies; promote hunger eradication, poverty reduction, job creation, and labor export; have drastic solutions to effectively implement Directive No. 09-CT/TU of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee on population and family planning; rectify the implementation of medical ethics, management of private medical practice, market management, and food hygiene and safety. Promote cultural, artistic, physical education and sports activities.

6. Strengthen resource management and environmental protection; focus on preventing and responding to natural disasters and epidemics. Encourage investment in environmental protection, waste collection and treatment.

7. Synchronously implement solutions to ensure national defense - security, social order and safety, and resolutely direct the enforcement of civil judgments. Strengthen the fight against all types of crimes, especially drug-related crimes, black credit, and corruption; curb traffic accidents; promptly grasp and handle violations of religion, environment, and border and island security.

8. Promote the strength of the great national unity bloc, promote emulation movements, create combined strength to successfully implement the 2014 socio-economic targets that the Provincial People's Council has resolved.

Reporter: Thank you, comrade!

Huu Nghia (Implementation)