Hoang Mai strives to become a key economic zone.

(Baonghean)On the occasion of the New Year 2014, Nghe An Newspaper conducted an interview.Comrade Doan Hong Vu - Secretary of the Town Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Council of Hoang Mai Town.

PV:Dear Party Secretary and Chairman of the People's Council of Hoang Mai Town, 2013 was a year of many significant events, marking the birth and overcoming difficulties of Hoang Mai Town. What outstanding achievements did it bring?

Comrade Doan Hong Vu:Hoang Mai town is an administrative unit under Nghe An province, established according to Government Resolution No. 47 and officially operational since July 1, 2013. Hoang Mai possesses significant potential and advantages for development into an industrial, service, and tourism urban area, with large reserves of limestone resources suitable for cement and construction material production. It also has tourism potential with scenic spots such as Vuc Mau Lake and spiritual tourism sites like Corn Temple, connecting to the Quynh Lien, Quynh Phuong, and Quynh Lap coastal tourism areas. The people of Hoang Mai are intelligent, hardworking, and dedicated, with generations of experience in fishing, aquaculture, and seafood processing, making them a valuable workforce. In the future, Hoang Mai will play a crucial role as a driving force for the development of Nghe An province and the Southern Thanh Hoa - Northern Nghe An economic region.

Comrade Doan Hong Vu Secretary of the Town Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Council of Hoang Mai Town

The announcement of the Government's Resolution on the establishment of Hoang Mai Town was a significant event for Nghe An province, a crucial turning point that left a profound mark on the officials, Party members, and people of Hoang Mai Town. It was established under conditions of a completely new organizational structure and personnel; a lack of facilities and working conditions; inconsistent planning; inadequate and weak urban infrastructure; and poverty among a segment of the population. In this context of "marching while queuing," a historic flood occurred, submerging most communes and wards. These factors created numerous difficulties and significant challenges for the Party Committee and people of the town.

However, with strong determination, unity, and the support of the Central Government and the province, Hoang Mai has overcome difficulties and achieved remarkable results in fulfilling its political tasks. The town promptly established the Party Committee, the Fatherland Front, and political and social organizations; successfully organized the by-election for representatives to the Town People's Council for the 2011-2016 term; established and consolidated the Town People's Council and People's Committee; elected leading positions in the People's Council and People's Committee; added members to the Party Committee Executive Board and Standing Committee; and arranged and appointed cadres and leaders of agencies within the political system. By the end of 2013, this was basically completed and has stabilized, operating smoothly and effectively from the town level to the grassroots.

In 2013, 18 out of 25 targets were met or exceeded; economic growth reached 8.85%; the economic structure is shifting in the right direction; the value of agricultural production reached 59.7 million VND/hectare, food production reached 19,054 tons, and the output of exploited and farmed aquatic products reached 27,789 tons; the average per capita added value reached 32.8 million VND. Currently, 6 out of 10 wards and communes in the town have completed the standard for cultural, information, and sports facilities. The poverty rate has decreased to 7.44%. The economy, politics, and social stability are maintained, the material and spiritual lives of the people are ensured, and national defense and security are upheld.

One of the most significant achievements during the first six months of operation is that the Party Committee and people of the town overcame unexpected and severe challenges, successfully overcoming the heavy consequences of typhoon No. 10, quickly restoring production, and supporting the stabilization of people's lives.

PV:Could you please explain the reasons why the socio-economic targets for 2013 in the town were not met?

Comrade Doan Hong Vu:Seven targets were not met: economic growth rate of 8.85% (compared to the target of 10-12%); state budget revenue of 23 billion VND (compared to the target of 35.9 billion VND); food production of 19,054 tons (compared to the target of 20,400 tons); high rate of third or subsequent births at 29.3% (compared to the target of 22%); rate of cultural villages at 55% (compared to the target of 58.3%); and the number of communes meeting national health standards at only 2 (compared to the target of 3)... This is due to objective reasons, namely the economic difficulties both globally and domestically, which have directly impacted Nghe An province in general and Hoang Mai town in particular. The town's infrastructure development has not met the requirements, and some businesses are operating at a loss... The town was established under difficult conditions as mentioned above, especially the severe consequences of the remnants of typhoon No. 10, which had a significant and direct impact.

Subjective causes require in-depth analysis and evaluation to find solutions. These include the fact that some Party committees and local authorities have not been decisive enough in their leadership and guidance, failing to keep pace with the demands of management reform to meet the requirements of the new situation. Furthermore, the town's leadership emphasizes that evaluating achievements must be based on genuine results, not on a superficial pursuit of accomplishments. Only then will the planning and policy formulation for the future be practical and effective.

PV:Could you please tell us about the main policies and solutions that need to be led, directed, and managed to ensure Hoang Mai develops in a manner commensurate with its potential, advantages, and the aspirations of the province and its people in 2014?

Comrade Doan Hong Vu:2014 was a pivotal year, of particular importance for achieving the goals set forth in the Resolution of the Town Party Committee for the 2013-2015 period, creating momentum for the successful implementation of objectives, fulfilling the criteria for a Type IV urban area, and soon becoming a Type III urban area in the future. However, this year still projected continued difficulties in the global and domestic economies, requiring high levels of consensus throughout the Party committee, the people, businesses, and the entire political system to strive to overcome challenges and fulfill the tasks of socio-economic development and national defense and security.

Making fish sauce in Quynh Di ward. Photo: Nhat Thanh

The political determination is to complete and exceed the targets, tasks, and solutions for socio-economic development in 2014 set by the Town People's Council, first term (2011-2016). The town will continue to improve its organizational structure and personnel within the political system; focus intensely on building essential administrative facilities; accelerate sustainable economic growth, strongly develop industry, services, and tourism while protecting natural resources and the environment; develop agriculture, forestry, and fisheries in accordance with the specific conditions of each region; build new rural areas; comprehensively develop culture and society; ensure social security and improve people's lives; ensure national defense, maintain political security and social order; promote administrative reform, create a favorable environment to attract investment; and enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of state management.

What truly needs attention and strength for Hoang Mai at this time is the team of officials, civil servants, and employees, especially the leaders, who must be truly exemplary, united, and highly cohesive; they must uphold a high sense of responsibility and wholeheartedly dedicate themselves to public service. They must innovate leadership, guidance, and management methods; practice thrift, and combat corruption and waste.

During the 2014-2015 period, the town implemented key projects and programs such as: building essential infrastructure for the town from 2013-2015; attracting investment and leveraging advantages to develop the town towards industry, commercial services, and tourism, aiming to become a type III urban area from 2013-2015 and by 2020; developing the marine economy from 2013-2015 with consideration to 2020; a clean water and environmental sanitation program from 2013-2015 with consideration to 2020; enhancing the leadership capacity and fighting strength of Party branches; effectively preventing and combating crime and social evils, ensuring traffic safety… striving to make Hoang Mai a key economic zone.

First and foremost, it is necessary to have programs and plans in place to promptly implement the tasks identified for 2014, especially those unexpected and arising from the first month and quarter of the year; and before, during, and after the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Horse. This will create a favorable position and conditions for the successful fulfillment of the town's political tasks.

PV:Thank you, comrade!

PV(perform)