Aspiration to build up our homeland

(Baonghean)Every person from Nghe An province in particular, and every Vietnamese person in general, grows up and matures deeply grateful to their homeland. The more successful they become, the older they get, the more they long to return and contribute their small part to building their hometown. It is for this reason that they gather and meet. The Investment Fair, creating new factories… is igniting new hopes…

From shared vision and big ideas to concrete, effective actions, Nghe An province held a successful meeting between the government and investors in the early days of spring. Despite the cold weather and the lingering scent of incense from the full moon of the first lunar month, provincial leaders quickly got down to business. Appointments and meetings were packed, a mix of work and meetings. At 1:30 PM, then 2 PM, then 5 PM... continuous meetings with various corporations and companies were held to further affirm, persuade, clarify, and report on the results of the past year's investment promotion efforts, thereby drawing valuable lessons.

The Vietnamese banking sector has donated 50 billion VND to Nghe An province for the construction of the Martyrs' Monument and Truong Bon Square. Photo: Xuan Nhuong.

Never before has investment promotion been so effective and impactful. We have successfully persuaded major investors such as Becamex Binh Duong Group, Hoa Sen Steel Group, Dong Duong Group, Nam Dan Van An, and the Vietnam Development Investment Bank to explore and invest in Nghe An. We have narrowed the language gap between countries like South Korea, the UK, the US, Japan, and Israel. We have even prompted embassies in Japan, Singapore, and South Korea to provide support. We have shortened the distance to our homeland through flights. This is largely thanks to the successful projects already operating in Nghe An, such as TH Group, Hoang Mai Cement, Saigon Beer - Song Lam Brewery, Hanoi Beer Factory, BSE Electronics Factory (South Korea), and the chain of textile factories from South Korea and Japan.

This success is also thanks to the determination to innovate thinking and working styles, the dedication and decisive efforts of the provincial leaders, and of many people from Nghe An living and working in their hometown. Many investors have not only acknowledged the dedication, determination, and responsibility of the provincial leaders but also the positive role of some districts and cities in directly resolving difficulties and obstacles for investors on-site. We will always remember an investor in the Nam Giang - Nam Dan industrial cluster who praised Mr. Nong - Chairman of the People's Committee of Nam Dan district - with the words "excellent" for resolving all procedures to quickly build his factory. At the conference on the morning of February 15th, Nghe An was honored to receive many heartfelt opinions to resolutely become a strong province. Although the province's total social investment capital was lower than Thanh Hoa and Ha Tinh last year, its budget revenue exceeded that of many others.

Nghe An also has the advantage of being a province located in the center of the North Central region, with the largest area in the country at nearly 16,500 km².²Nghe An province has the longest border with the Lao People's Democratic Republic (419 km), with 4 border gates, including the Nam Can International Border Gate and two sub-border gates, Cao Veu and Thong Thu, connecting to trans-Asian routes from Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos to Cua Lo Port. Nghe An also has the Thanh Thuy Border Gate, a key intersection for trade and services development among provinces and localities along the Ho Chi Minh Trail in the North Central region; it is a center of trade between Nghe An province (Vietnam) and Bolykhamxay province (Laos), connecting to Thailand. According to the Vietnamese ambassador to Laos, Nguyen Manh Hung, if Nghe An could build a highway through this border gate connecting to Laos, it would quickly surpass Ha Tinh and Thanh Hoa provinces.

This is also a way to compete healthily with neighboring provinces in attracting investment to move forward and develop. The global economic downturn should not discourage or demoralize us. Selecting investors, choosing the right partners, having a clear direction, strategy, focus, and priorities, while simultaneously mobilizing the combined strength of our relationships in attracting investment – ​​that is the secret to our success yesterday, when, within the framework of a "meeting," we achieved much more than that, with six major projects signing investment agreements and four projects receiving investment licenses. Many promising projects are expected to be breakthroughs for Nghe An, such as: the V.SIP Nghe An Industrial, Urban and Service Complex project by the Becamex Binh Duong - VSIP Joint Venture Company (total investment of VND 3,000 billion), the Hoa Sen Steel Sheet Factory in the Southeast Economic Zone by Hoa Sen Steel Sheet Group (VND 1,500 billion), the Lan Chau Island Cua Lo eco-tourism, resort and sports villa complex project (VND 1,800 billion)... Notably, many projects are being implemented by successful people from Nghe An who have returned home, such as Nam Dan - Van An, Thanh Thanh Dat, the Vietnam-Laos Economic Cooperation Corporation... They have seen new things in their homeland, sincerity, a willingness to learn and aspirations, and moreover, they have seen that the projects of people from Nghe An in Nghe An are worthwhile...

A garment factory invested in by a Japanese company in Yen Thanh. Photo: Nguyen Son

Former Prime Minister Pham Van Dong once remarked: "The people of Nghe Tinh are the most valuable asset of the locality and of the whole country." Dr. Tran Dinh Thien, Director of the Vietnam Institute of Economics, added: "Nghe An is very famous for its academic and intellectual capacity; however, many people from Nghe An leave the province, especially successful individuals, both in politics and business. Therefore, attracting this resource is extremely important in the upcoming development phase of Nghe An. This 'precious asset' is being nurtured and awakened, and is receiving special attention and support from the central government." National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung passionately stated: "Nghe An has favorable geography and auspicious land. Only Nghe An has been given a special resolution by the Politburo, Resolution 26. This reflects the affection and responsibility towards the homeland of President Ho Chi Minh, and the traditions of our ancestors. Nghe An must live up to the attention of the whole country." Uncle Ho's will from years ago remains, and only the people of Nghe An can fulfill his instructions before his passing. If the human resources of Nghe An are cherished and valued by their homeland, they will be a tremendous force contributing to the development of their country, thereby fostering confidence and encouraging other major entrepreneurs and investors to come to Nghe An with their hearts and a sense of responsibility!

Chau Lan