Good control of budget revenue and expenditure, promoting disbursement of public investment capital

Positive budget collection

In the first 6 months of the year, although the economy has not recovered and there are still difficulties from the world situation, the growth rate of total product is estimated to increase by 8.44%. State budget revenue in the area in the first 6 months of 2022 exceeded the progress of the estimate assigned by the Provincial People's Council; local budget expenditures were ensured according to the estimated expenditure tasks assigned by the Provincial People's Council from the beginning of the year, promptly meeting regular expenditure tasks, ensuring social security and some arising tasks.

Specifically:State budget revenueIn the first 6 months of 2022, the local revenue reached 10,100 billion VND, reaching 67.4% of the estimate assigned by the Provincial People's Council and equal to 100.6% compared to the same period in 2021. Of which: Domestic revenue realized in the first 6 months reached 9,162 billion VND, reaching 66.9% of the estimate and equal to 100.3% compared to the same period in 2021.

Containers are loaded and unloaded at Cua Lo port. Photo: Thu Huyen

Revenue from import-export activities in the first 6 months reached 937 billion VND, equal to 72.1% of the estimate. Local budget expenditure in the first 6 months of 2022 was 15,303 billion VND, reaching 49.3% of the estimate assigned by the Provincial People's Council, regular expenditure was 9,424 billion VND, reaching 45.2% of the estimate.

These are outstanding achievements in the first 6 months of the year because according to Mr. Nguyen Xuan Hai - Director of the Department of Finance, in the context of the complicated developments of the epidemic and the Russia - Ukraine conflict, to carry out the "dual task" of both preventing the epidemic and maintaining the recovery and development of socio-economic activities, the management of financial budgets faces many difficulties. In particular, balancing resources to implement key projects, funding for the prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic and supporting people and businesses in difficulty.

For the Tax authority, a series of tax exemption, reduction and extension policies of the Government to support taxpayers reduce state budget revenue in the area. In addition, the compliance with tax laws of a part of taxpayers is not high, the coordination between the Tax authority and a number of departments, branches and sectors in the area is sometimes not smooth, not synchronous, the implementation of new electronic invoices for businesses... However, in the first 6 months of the year, a number of units have exceeded the estimate assigned by the Provincial People's Council in 2022 (if including land use fees) such as: Dien Chau district reached 167.1% of the estimate; Yen Thanh district reached 159.6% of the estimate; Do Luong district reached 149.8% of the estimate; Tan Ky district reached 134.8% of the estimate; Que Phong reached 123.4% of the estimate; Anh Son district reached 121.1% of the estimate; Nghi Loc reached 119.3% of the estimate; Thai Hoa town achieved 112.7% of the estimate; Hung Nguyen achieved 107.8% of the estimate.

Production and business in the province are recovering quickly after the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: Archive

For the State Treasury, the complicated developments of the Covid-19 epidemic in the first months of 2022 have affected the budget collection plan, the disbursement of public investment capital; inspection, examination, training and development, internal infrastructure construction... In addition, the political tasks of the unit are increasing, the operating turnover is large; the number of officers and employees is always lacking compared to the payroll assigned by the State Treasury.

For the Customs authority, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic nationwide in general and in Nghe An province in particular has affected the implementation of many tasks of the Customs Department such as: The number of post-clearance inspections and specialized inspections is still limited, causing a certain impact on revenue. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has caused oil prices to increase, affecting one of the main sources of revenue, which is revenue from imported gasoline. Although the infrastructure of border gates, seaports and airports has been upgraded, in general, the exploitation capacity is still limited, so Nghe An's goods have not been completely imported and exported through Nghe An's border gates but still have to go through some ports such as Hai Phong, Nghi Son - Thanh Hoa, Vung Ang - Ha Tinh, ... However, revenue from import and export activities in the first 6 months reached 937 billion VND, equal to 72.1% of the estimate and 103.3% compared to the same period in 2021.

People do procedures at Vinh Tax Department. Photo: Quang An

Focus on promoting investment capital disbursement

In the first 6 months of the year, despite drastic direction, the disbursement of public investment capital is still low. This is the shared responsibility of many sectors, many levels, and many investors.

As of June 30, 2022, the concentrated public investment capital managed by the province has disbursed VND 1,692,335 billion, reaching 29% of the plan of VND 5,829,180 billion. Notably, 24 agencies and units have not yet disbursed.

There are 29 agencies and units that have disbursed, the disbursement rate is below the average of the province (below 29%), including: 16 districts, cities and towns: Hoang Mai (25.6%), Nghia Dan (24%), Cua Lo (23%), Yen Thanh (22.2%), Hung Nguyen (17.8%), Con Cuong (17.6%), Quynh Luu (16.9%), Quy Hop (14.8%), Vinh (14%), Tuong Duong (12.7%), Thanh Chuong (8.6%), Nam Dan (6.8%), Quy Chau (4.6%), Thai Hoa (4.5%), Dien Chau (4.3%), Anh Son (2.3%).

Units speed up construction of Than Vu tunnel through Dien Chau (North-South expressway). Photo: Tran Chau

In that situation, the Department of Finance proactively coordinated with the State Treasury, the Department of Planning and Investment, investors and Project Management Boards to promote the disbursement of investment capital. Coordinated with relevant units to handle and advise on the handling of difficulties in payment, source transfer, budget entry, staffing targets, etc.; urged the recovery of advances; accelerated the settlement and finalization of completed projects. Focused capital on projects with good disbursement progress, priority projects that need to be completed soon for use and projects that are about to be completed or about to expire disbursement period, and advised on adjusting the recovery of projects that are slow to implement and not feasible in disbursement.

In the last 6 months of the year, according to Mr. Nguyen Xuan Hai - Director of the Department of Finance, the whole province will have to focus on directing and urging the completion of procedures and documents to organize the construction of basic construction works, prepare payment records for works within the 2022 plan targets. Promote the settlement of completed project items and works. Coordinate with the State Treasury at all levels and investors in disbursing public investment capital in 2022, handle arising problems, shorten the time for controlling expenditures and payments for works and projects when there are sufficient conditions for disbursement to accelerate the payment of the 2022 public investment plan according to the direction of the Provincial People's Committee.

The Department of Finance and relevant sectors shall coordinate with the Department of Planning and Investment and relevant units to review the implementation and disbursement of the 2022 public investment capital plan of each project to report to competent authorities to adjust and transfer slow-progressing projects in accordance with regulations, except for important projects of the province; Coordinate with the Provincial State Treasury to temporarily suspend payment for projects expected to be adjusted down. The State Treasury shall preside over and coordinate with the Department of Planning and Investment and the Department of Finance to establish an Inspection Team to recover advances from unpaid investors.

In addition, promote budget collection, direction and urging of settlement of completed projects and settlement of outstanding projects in the province./.