Nghe An: Growth rate in the first 6 months of the year is higher than the national average.

On the afternoon of June 29th, the Nghe An Provincial Statistics Department held a press conference to announce the socio-economic statistics for the first six months of 2020. Representatives from provincial departments, agencies, and media outlets attended the press conference.

The scene at the press conference. Photo: Thanh Le

Mr. Phan Truong Son, Deputy Director in charge of the Provincial Statistics Department, announced some basic issues of the province in the first six months of 2020.

Accordingly, the province's socio-economic development faced numerous difficulties due to the Covid-19 pandemic; consumer prices tended to increase slightly; some sectors such as tourism and services, and transportation declined due to the impact of COVID-19, and unusual weather patterns affected production…

According to data released by the Provincial Statistics Department, in the first six months of 2020, the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) of the province, at constant 2010 prices, was estimated at VND 40,470.7 billion, an increase of 2.69% compared to the first six months of 2019. Of this, the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sector was estimated at VND 10,218.1 billion, an increase of 4.98%; the industry and construction sector at VND 11,380.9 billion, an increase of 5.11%; the service sector at VND 16,704.6 billion, an increase of 0.2%; and product taxes at VND 2,167.1 billion, a decrease of 0.59%.

Nghe An's GRDP for the first six months of 2020 was 2.69%, considered the lowest growth rate for the first six months of any year in the 2011-2020 period. However, this growth rate for 2020 was higher than the national average (1.81%), achieving a relatively high growth rate for the whole country and the North Central region.

A bright spot in the province's economic picture during the first six months of 2020 was the construction sector, which grew by 9.47%, with significant increases in new construction by non-state enterprises and residential areas during the period.

Overall, in the first six months of the year, the industrial production index is estimated to have increased by 1.08% compared to the same period last year. After the period of lockdown due to the pandemic, businesses have resumed production, and the industrial sector is showing good signs of recovery.

Economic growth chart of Nghe An province in the first 6 months of 2020.

Amidst the pandemic, the agricultural sector achieved its planned targets and scenarios despite the unpredictable developments of African swine fever; the output of livestock such as cattle and poultry increased (except for pigs, which decreased); the forestry and timber harvesting sectors achieved high results, and the fisheries sector experienced good growth. Compared to the plans and scenarios set for the first six months of the year, the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sectors have exceeded expectations.

In the service sector, although growth was at a record low, two sectors performed quite well: Information and Communication Technology, with telecommunications revenue increasing sharply by 7.15%.

Representatives from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development clarify the unit's data for the first six months of the year. Photo: Thanh Le

In addition, the finance, banking, and insurance sectors experienced growth. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the healthcare sector actively fought the disease, leading to increased healthcare spending, resulting in a growth rate of 8.19%.

At the press conference, leaders of the Provincial Statistics Department and other departments and agencies exchanged views and answered many questions raised. This provided information and clarified the socio-economic situation nationwide during the first six months of 2020.

Representatives from the Nghe An Provincial Statistics Department respond to questions from journalists. Photo: Thanh Le

The publication of statistics on socio-economic indicators for the first six months and annually not only provides timely and accurate statistical information to support the province's leadership and management activities, but also widely disseminates local socio-economic development plans. Based on this, solutions can be developed to effectively achieve the set goals.