Provincial leaders do not participate in overseas delegations organized by enterprises

Mr. Le Ngoc Hoa - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee chaired the meeting. Photo: Mai Hoa

Accordingly, the key activities in foreign affairs in 2018 were identified, including organizing the first conference of foreign cities establishing sister cities with Nghe An province; organizing a program to meet overseas Vietnamese in Nghe An on the occasion of visiting their homeland and celebrating the traditional Tet of the nation; and a conference to mobilize foreign non-governmental aid...

In particular, foreign affairs activities in 2018 will focus on strengthening the organization of domestic and international investment, trade and tourism promotion activities.

Regarding international cooperation, in addition to continuing to promote cooperation with traditional partners, in 2018 the province advocates promoting the expansion of friendly relations with localities such as South Australia (Australia), Daegu city (Korea), Kochi province (Japan), Szczecin city (Poland)...

Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Hai Duong reports on the draft foreign affairs program for 2018. Photo: Mai Hoa

To ensure active and proactive international and regional integration, to expand and improve the effectiveness of foreign affairs activities, this year, the province also developed a strategy for international integration and cooperation in Nghe An province until 2025.

To strictly manage overseas activities of leaders and managers at all levels and sectors, the Provincial People's Committee has issued a policy that key leaders at all levels shall not go on business trips abroad more than twice a year; absolutely shall not participate in overseas delegations organized by domestic and foreign enterprises; and shall not arrange for two key leaders of an agency, unit or locality to participate in the same working delegation.

Along with the above activities, the work of welcoming foreign delegations for visits and work is also required to be thoughtful, practical and effective.

Based on the proposal of the Department of Foreign Affairs from the synthesis of needs of 87 departments, branches, agencies, units and localities, in 2018, the whole province will have 192 delegations going abroad.

According to Mr. Phan Xuan Hoa - Deputy Head of the Southeast Economic Zone Management Board, this number is too much. Mr. Hoa said that, in addition to the high-level delegations of the province and the delegations under the exchange program with foreign provinces, the remaining delegations should prioritize investment promotion, trade, and tourism promotion activities.

Agreeing with Mr. Phan Xuan Hoa, Ms. Vo Thi An - Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade said that in order to limit delegations going abroad, it is necessary to integrate and combine individual investment, trade and tourism promotion activities of each sector into a common delegation; at the same time, supplement the program for department leaders to participate in delegations of central ministries and sectors.

Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue and provincial leaders met with foreign experts working in Nghe An. Photo: File

Concluding the meeting, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Ngoc Hoa requested the Department of Foreign Affairs to coordinate with departments, branches, agencies, units, and localities to closely review the requirements for organizing foreign working delegations, clarifying the purpose and participants, ensuring practicality and effectiveness; avoiding the situation of organizing delegations under the form of studying and exchanging experiences but in reality they are traveling.

Accordingly, the organization of foreign delegations focuses on the foreign affairs activities of the Party, State, people-to-people diplomacy and organizing activities to promote investment, trade, tourism, etc.

The Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee also emphasized: The motto is to tighten the management of outgoing and incoming delegations; especially delegations going abroad, whether they are from the budget or self-funded or supported by businesses, because in addition to funding, there are also factors of time and human resources to ensure the implementation of political tasks in each sector, agency, unit and locality.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Ngoc Hoa requested the Department of Foreign Affairs to preside over working with the Provincial Investment Promotion Center, the Department of Industry and Trade, the Department of Tourism and a number of related departments and branches to build and integrate contents related to promotion and advertising abroad to reduce the number of delegations going abroad and reduce budget waste...