Don't let the market go to waste.

(Baonghean) - In recent years, the movement to build and renovate markets has been vibrant and full of hope. However, a comprehensive look at the construction and development of local markets in our province reveals many shortcomings…

Upon investigation, it was learned that in May 2010, the Rộ Market Commercial Center (Võ Liệt - Thanh Chương) was inaugurated after two years of construction, but since its opening, the market has never once been operational. Currently, the market grounds are overgrown with weeds, many structures have deteriorated, and the surrounding vacant land has been used by locals to dig ponds for raising ducks, fish, and drying agricultural products. Similarly, the Cô Ba Market in Châu Bình commune, Quỳ Châu district, was built on an area of ​​over 2,000 square meters, including 10 kiosks along the roadside and a market hall, surrounded by a fence and equipped with toilets and drainage ditches (replacing the previous temporary market that spontaneously operated at the foot of the Tràn bridge). However, the commune has organized two market opening ceremonies, but the people still refuse to move in. The reason is that during the construction process, some households established kiosks and stalls for stable business at home, or used motorbikes to sell their goods, gradually getting people accustomed to on-site service; other small traders argued that the market was hidden away, more than 30 meters from the main road, making it difficult to do business. Currently, to avoid wasting the market area, the People's Committee of the commune has allowed families to rent and renovate it for selling coffee, soft drinks, etc.

In Vinh City, Coi Market (located in Hung Loc commune, Vinh City) was upgraded in January 2011 with a total cost of 14.5 billion VND. After more than a year of construction, Coi Market was finally put into operation, but its operational efficiency has not been commensurate with the investment. The market has a total floor area of ​​over 8,600 m2. According to the approved plan, the market is to be a two-story building. The main hall on the first floor is for business and trading purposes, while the second floor of the building in front of the market is permitted to be rented out as representative offices for companies. However, currently, the stalls on the first floor are not fully utilized, and on the second floor, the Hung Loc Cooperative (the unit managing Coi Market) rents out space to some households for daily living. According to Decision No. 1050/QD-UBND dated April 15, 2014, Coi Market was classified as a Class 2 market, but the Market Management Board requested to maintain it at Class 3 because currently and in the future, purchasing power remains low, and revenue and profits are low…

The failure of markets to operate effectively stems from shortcomings in their organizational and management models. Market management teams are not fulfilling their functions, and fee collection is arbitrary. In particular, when constructing markets in mountainous and highland areas, insufficient research has been conducted on the psychology, customs, traditions, and goods traded locally; and public opinion has not been sought in market planning, linking it to production, processing, and product consumption. To develop markets rationally and comprehensively, all levels of government, relevant sectors, and localities need to proactively review and ensure the scientific and practical basis of market development plans and investment projects, select appropriate management mechanisms, and balance the interests of investors, traders, and other socio-economic goals.

It is necessary to prioritize technical design requirements, develop infrastructure and business support services for markets in a synchronized manner; encourage and create favorable conditions for businesses, small traders, and households to conduct business in markets according to their functions and professions... The challenge is that market construction and management must be carried out synchronously, effectively, meet the needs of people for goods exchange, reduce market waste, and at the same time contribute to promoting the socio-economic development of localities and fulfilling the market criteria in building new rural areas.

Ngoc Anh