Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Xuan Duong: "Avoid the situation of encountering problems and then leaving them there"

On the morning of March 22, the Provincial People's Committee held an online conference with localities in the province on the socio-economic situation, national defense and security in the first quarter and tasks and solutions for the second quarter of 2018. Comrade Nguyen Xuan Duong - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee chaired the meeting.

Also attending were members of the Provincial Party Standing Committee: Le Minh Thong - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Colonel Nguyen Huu Cau - Director of the Provincial Police; Colonel Tran Van Hung - Commander of the Provincial Military Command. Comrades: Dinh Viet Hong - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Huynh Thanh Dien - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; representatives of the Provincial People's Council, provincial departments and branches.

Overview of the meeting. Photo: Duc Anh

Higher growth than the same period last year

The province's gross regional domestic product (GRDP) in the first quarter of 2018 increased by 6.99% over the same period, of which the agriculture, forestry and fishery sector increased by 3.9%; the industry - construction sector increased by 11% (industry alone increased by 12.77%); and the service sector increased by 6.44%.

According to Director of the Department of Planning and Investment Nguyen Van Do, the growth rate in the first quarter of this year is higher than the same period in recent years. Specifically: in 2015 it increased by 6.22%; in 2016 it increased by 6.46%, in 2017 it increased by 6.52%.

Director of the Department of Planning and Investment Nguyen Van Do speaks at the meeting. Photo: Duc Anh

However, to realize the growth scenario of 9% this year, the head of the Department of Planning and Investment suggested that relevant levels and sectors work together with enterprises to boost production, especially key products that contribute greatly to the province's growth; urge enterprises that have been granted investment certificates at the Meeting with Investors to disburse capital...

As of March 16, 2018, the province has newly granted (approved investment policies and issued investment certificates) to 23 projects, with a total registered investment capital of more than VND 4,164 billion. Some major projects newly granted in the first 3 months of 2018 include: Trung Do Construction Materials Production Complex Project (VND 1,025 billion); Masan Nghe An Beer and Beverage Factory Project (VND 1,661 billion), FLC - Tan Ky Nghe An High-Tech Agriculture Project (VND 300 billion)...

On the other hand, according to the assessment of the Director of the Department of Planning and Investment, the bottleneck in attracting investment is currently the process. Therefore, the department is asking the sectors and localities to review the process, especially the existing problems and limitations, in order to remove them.

Regarding upcoming tasks, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Huynh Thanh Dien said that although there have been strong instructions, procedures regarding investment processes and land are still difficult, so it is necessary to focus on leadership and direction...

By March 2018, the whole province had 181 communes achieving 19/19 criteria recognized by the Provincial People's Committee (accounting for 42%) as reaching the new rural destination; 55 communes achieving 15-18 criteria, accounting for 13.68%; 106 communes achieving 10-14 criteria, accounting for 24.6%; 89 communes achieving 5-9 criteria, accounting for 20.6%.

The average number of criteria achieved by communes is 14.27 criteria/commune; there are 3 district-level units including Thai Hoa town, Vinh city, and Nam Dan district completing the task of building new rural areas.

Raise the responsibility of leaders

Concluding the meeting, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Xuan Duong acknowledged the results achieved in socio-economic development of the province in the first quarter of 2018.

"The socio-economic development situation in the province is better than expected, with more determination and momentum" - the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee emphasized.

However, according to Chairman Nguyen Xuan Duong, there are still shortcomings and limitations such as: Some industrial products have low growth and decrease; the construction progress of some key projects that the province has focused on directing strongly but is still slow compared to the plan due to problems in site clearance and lack of capital for implementation.

Workers work at the factory of Minh Anh - Kim Lien Garment Joint Stock Company in Bac Vinh Industrial Park, Vinh City. Photo: Thanh Duy

In particular, although the budget revenue in the first quarter of 2018 is estimated at more than VND 2,944 billion, reaching 23.2% of the estimate, up 1.3% over the same period in 2017, it still has not reached the progress of the estimate assigned by the Provincial People's Council.

“Some revenue items are lower than the same period in 2017, such as revenue from centrally managed enterprises (86.9%), land use fees (75.6%),...” - the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee pointed out. “This area must be directed decisively.”

In addition, illegal mining is still occurring in some localities. The clearance of encroachment on traffic safety corridors and urban sidewalks in some localities and units has not met the requirements as directed by the province...

From the above reality, to ensure the successful implementation of the 2018 socio-economic development plan, the head of the Provincial People's Committee emphasized that in the second quarter of 2018, all levels and sectors need to focus on implementing key tasks and solutions such as: Directing, urging, and inspecting the implementation of the 2018 plan tasks; focusing on implementing and organizing the review of 2.5 years of implementing the Resolution of the Party Congresses at all levels and summarizing 5 years of implementing Resolution No. 26-NQ/TW of the Politburo on the direction and tasks for developing Nghe An province to 2020.

In particular, we must continue to focus on removing difficulties and promoting production and business. "Wherever problems arise, the sectors must report to the specialized sectors for response and resolution. If they are beyond their authority, they must report to the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee in charge of the field for resolution. If they are beyond the authority of the Vice Chairman, they must bring them to the collective Party Committee of the Provincial People's Committee for discussion and take responsibility for timely resolution, avoiding the situation of problems being left there" - the Chairman of the People's Committee clearly stated the solution.

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Xuan Duong delivered a concluding speech at the meeting. Photo: Duc Anh

On the other hand, Chairman Nguyen Xuan Duong also requested to focus on improving the business environment, promoting foreign affairs, promoting and attracting investment; supporting and promoting business development, including small and medium enterprises, enterprises in the province and investors; focusing on directing to speed up the implementation and disbursement of the 2018 public investment capital plan.

In addition, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee also requested to review and inspect mineral exploitation activities; perform well the tasks of budget collection and expenditure; take care of cultural and social fields, ensure good implementation of social security issues; pay attention to well implementing Cua Lo tourism festival to leave a good impression on people and tourists...

“Improve the responsibility of leaders in urging, inspecting, resolving and handling issues” - the Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee emphasized to the leaders of departments, branches and localities when closing the meeting. “Request branches to closely and accurately monitor to have timely, public and transparent encouragement, motivation, praise and criticism to push our movement up”.