National Assembly Delegate of Nghe An Province proposes solutions for economic development in ethnic minority areas

Continuing the program of the 8th session of the 14th National Assembly, on the morning of November 1, the National Assembly discussed in the hall the Master Plan for socio-economic development of ethnic minority and mountainous areas, and areas with especially difficult conditions. Minister and Chairman of the Ethnic Committee Do Van Chien gave a speech explaining and clarifying a number of issues raised by National Assembly deputies.

The National Assembly discussed in the hall the Master Plan for socio-economic development of ethnic minority and mountainous areas and areas with especially difficult conditions. Photo: VNA

Assessing that the development of the Project has demonstrated the special care of the Party and State for ethnic minority and mountainous areas, delegate Hoang Thi Thu Trang (Nghe An) said that the Project has comprehensively and objectively assessed the current situation and proposed solutions to ensure high theoretical and practical value.

Agreeing with the criteria for classifying villages and communes with special difficulties as stated in the Project, however, the delegates suggested that the Project Drafting Committee pay more attention to considering the content of communes in key areas with special defense works that do not meet the criteria as stated in the Project.

These communes are often under very strict management in all aspects, not invested in exploitation but always preserved to build the people's hearts.

“Although the State has paid much attention, there are still some difficulties to some extent. If these communes are not allowed to benefit from the investment policies of the Project, it will be difficult for the communes to develop to keep up with other localities. The people and officials there will be very disadvantaged,” affirmed delegate Hoang Thi Thu Trang.

To develop the socio-economy of ethnic minority and mountainous areas, delegate Hoang Thi Thu Trang emphasized that the Party and State need to awaken the potential, promote the advantages of the region, help people to awaken their internal strength to get rich and become masters on their own land.

In particular, developing essential infrastructure, especially transport and information infrastructure, developing human resources, and ensuring income are particularly important issues.

Regarding infrastructure development, delegates agreed with the draft Project.

National Assembly delegate of Nghe An province Hoang Thi Thu Trang speaks. Photo: Van Diep - VNA

Regarding the issue of livelihood creation, based on local reality, delegate Hoang Thi Thu Trang said that it is necessary to focus on some remote areas, with policies to support people in building household economic models associated with the characteristics of mountainous areas such as raising livestock, growing some key plants and animals... because these economic models do not require large investments, can take advantage of labor, "take work as profit"; change the face of the rural mountainous landscape, bringing sustainable and regular economic value.

Proposing solutions to promote economic development in ethnic minority areas, delegate Hoang Thi Thu Trang said that it is necessary to have policies to attract businesses and factory projects that employ a lot of local labor and support business start-ups.

According to the delegate, the draft Project has resolved these two issues quite well and specifically.

From the successful reality of some high-tech enterprises in Nghe An province such as dairy farming, wood processing, medicinal plant growing and processing, etc., delegates proposed the need to support investment and attract business models in the direction of enterprises being the center, people being satellites surrounding the enterprises.

"There, businesses produce a part of the product, but still invest in seeds and provide technical guidance for people to produce and raise livestock, then purchase and process their products," delegate Trang gave an example.

With this model, it may not use as much local labor as the 70% frame set out in the draft project, but it will still help farmers have jobs as owners on their own land. “The good thing about this model is that businesses do not use too much land,” added delegate Hoang Thi Thu Trang.

According to delegate Hoang Thi Thu Trang, to have large investment projects that change the face of mountainous areas, a lot of capital is needed and the project's operation time is very long.

Therefore, delegates believe that, in addition to support policies as stated in the draft Project, it is necessary to create conditions for businesses to access foreign loans to attract large corporations, enterprises, and foreign enterprises.

In particular, it is necessary to commit to ensuring the sustainability of policies for large projects so that businesses can confidently invest in these difficult areas.