Nghe An: GRDP growth rate in the first 6 months of the year ranks 14th out of 63 provinces nationwide.

On the morning of June 22nd, Comrade Thai Thanh Quy - Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee - attended the regular June 2021 meeting of the Provincial People's Committee.

The meeting was held online, connecting to 21 locations in districts, cities, and towns, and was chaired by Comrade Nguyen Duc Trung - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee.

A panoramic view of the meeting at the main venue. Photo: Thanh Duy

Opening the meeting, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Duc Trung stated that this was an important meeting to review the implementation of tasks in the first six months of the year and discuss solutions for the remaining six months. The meeting took place amidst the complex and unpredictable developments of the Covid-19 pandemic, with 33 positive cases currently reported across five localities in the province. The province's main focus at this time is on preventing and controlling the Covid-19 pandemic while ensuring socio-economic development.

According to a report by the Director of the Department of Planning and Investment, Nguyen Xuan Duc, in the first six months of 2021, amidst the complex developments of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Provincial People's Committee actively directed all levels and sectors to focus their efforts on achieving the "dual goals": resolutely and effectively preventing and controlling the pandemic to protect the health of the people, while simultaneously promoting socio-economic development. The socio-economic situation in the first six months of 2021 was basically stable, with some sectors and fields achieving significant growth.

Comrade Nguyen Duc Trung - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, delivered the opening remarks at the meeting. Photo: Pham Bang

The work of epidemic prevention and control has received special attention and decisive direction from the Provincial Party Committee; the timely and effective involvement of the entire political system; the trust, solidarity, and support of the people; and especially the high sense of responsibility and effort of the functional forces on the front lines. The province has focused on implementing a comprehensive and appropriate system of solutions to control the epidemic and best protect the health and lives of the people.

From June 13th to 6:00 AM on June 22nd, Nghe An province recorded 33 cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection, with Vinh City having the highest number at 21 cases, followed by Dien Chau district with 9 cases. To contain and control the spread of the disease, the Provincial People's Committee implemented social distancing according to Directive 16 for Vinh City and some communes in Dien Chau and Quy Hop districts.

Despite facing numerous challenges due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the province's GRDP growth rate in the first six months of the year is estimated at 7.58%, exceeding the projected 7.61%. The industrial sector is expected to experience the strongest growth at 20.44%. Nghe An ranks second in the North Central region and 14th out of 63 provinces and centrally-governed cities in terms of GRDP growth rate in the first six months of the year.

Comrades Hoang Nghia Hieu - Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Le Ngoc Hoa - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, along with leaders of several departments and agencies, attended the meeting at the second location at the Nghe An Provincial People's Committee to ensure safety in epidemic prevention and control. Photo: Thanh Duy

State budget revenue in the first six months of the year is estimated at 9,504 billion VND, reaching 67.7% of the provincial People's Council's projected target and increasing by 30.4% compared to the same period in 2020. Of this, domestic revenue is estimated at 8,634 billion VND, reaching 67.6% of the projected target and increasing by 27.4% compared to the same period in 2020. Local budget expenditure in the first six months of 2021 is estimated at 12,439 billion VND, reaching 48.4% of the provincial People's Council's projected target.

The province has focused on building and perfecting mechanisms and policies to improve the investment environment. Nghe An province's Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) in 2020 ranked 18th nationwide, maintaining the same position as in 2019; and ranked 2nd in the North Central region, with the index of provincial leadership dynamism increasing by 18 ranks compared to 2019. Foreign relations activities were given attention and implemented appropriately in accordance with the situation and developments of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Investment attraction has seen many positive changes. As of June 18, 2021, the province had granted licenses to 44 new projects and adjusted 60 existing projects; the total newly licensed and increased investment capital amounted to VND 9,278.71 billion. Compared to the same period in 2020, the number of projects increased by 33% and registered capital increased 2.5 times.

Comrade Nguyen Xuan Duc - Director of the Nghe An Department of Planning and Investment, presents a report on public investment. Photo: Thanh Duy

Total social investment capital mobilized is estimated at 36,324 billion VND, an increase of 11.42% compared to the same period in 2020. As of June 10, 2021, the provincial-managed public investment capital has disbursed 756 billion 27 million VND, reaching 26.05% of the allocated plan.

In the cultural and social fields, activitiesEducation and training have been adjusted to suit the developments of the Covid-19 pandemic. The health sector has proactively and promptly implemented disease prevention and control measures, especially against Covid-19. Cultural, physical education, and sports activities continue to receive attention, meeting the needs of the people.

State management and administrative reform have been strengthened with the motto: "Fast - Accurate - Effective" in advising and resolving administrative procedures for citizens and businesses.

The Provincial People's Committee has directed specialized agencies to improve the quality of their advisory services by shifting from "explanation" to "resolution," linking the responsibility of the head of each agency to the year-end performance evaluation. In addition, political security, order, and social safety in the province have been ensured.