Efforts to promote sustainable production and business development

(Baonghean) - In 2013, thanks to the effective implementation of solutions and policies, Nghe An's industrial and commercial production achieved positive results, contributing to the stability and overall development of the province. Nghe An Newspaper had an interview with Mr. Phan Thanh Tinh - Provincial Party Committee member, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade on this issue.

PV:Dear comrade! In 2013, Nghe An's industrial production index increased by 8.83% compared to the previous year, higher than the national average; total export turnover increased quite strongly. Could you please tell us more specifically about this result?

Hua Na Hydropower Plant.

Comrade Phan Thanh Tinh:Last year, fuel prices (electricity, gasoline) increased, policies for the mining industry, tin prices in the world market decreased, etc. However, some products with a large proportion in the province's industrial production value such as beer, electricity production, fresh milk still increased quite well. In 2013, the industrial production index increased by nearly 9% compared to the previous year, of which, the mining industry decreased by nearly 21%; the processing and manufacturing industry increased by 8.28%; production and distribution of electricity, gas, hot water, steam and air conditioning increased by 31%; water supply, waste and wastewater management and treatment activities increased by 6.03%. Some main products in 2013 had a fairly high increase compared to 2012 such as refined sugar 142,751 tons, up 48% due to increased sugarcane output for pressing, increased sugar reserves in sugarcane and this year's pressing season started earlier than every year; Beer of all kinds reached 165.57 million liters; fiber 11,360 tons, up 29%; pants and shirts for adults 9.33 million pieces, up 36.72%; electricity production 2,375.6 million kWh, up 77%; tap water 25 million liters, up 12%. The remaining products had low growth rates and many products decreased, some products decreased significantly such as construction stone decreased by 18%, NPK fertilizer decreased by 13%, granite brick decreased by 6%, standard burnt brick decreased by 14%, cement decreased by 12%...

Total export turnover for the year reached 624.383 million USD, exceeding the annual plan by 35.7%, of which export turnover of goods reached 344.369 million USD, up 27.8% compared to 2012; labor export and foreign currency services earned 280.014 million USD. Some major export items increased quite well or maintained high turnover compared to the previous year; typically: Textiles 32 million USD, up 2.2 times; aquatic and seafood products of all kinds 22 million USD, up 82%; wood chips 80 million USD, up 25%; cassava starch 55 million USD, equivalent to the previous year; Construction materials 38 million USD, up 15%... The proportion of processed exported goods is increasing, especially forestry and aquatic products, minerals, construction materials, textiles, and wood products reaching 233 million USD, accounting for nearly 67% of the total export turnover of the province.

Comrade Phan Thanh Tinh - Provincial Party Committee Member, Director of Department of Industry and Trade

PV:According to you, what are the reasons for the Industry and Trade sector to achieve such achievements?

Comrade Phan Thanh Tinh:In the past time, the sector has closely followed the plans of the Central Government, the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People's Committee and the assigned functions and tasks, proactively and promptly directed and operated the sector's activities effectively. The state management of industry and trade has been effective, with some areas performing well such as: disseminating the State's policies, laws and regulations; developing plans, mechanisms, policies and organizing the implementation of the province's support policies according to its authority; specialized inspection and examination. The trade and service business network continues to expand in all three urban, rural and mountainous areas, the rural market system continues to be renovated and upgraded. Modern commercial centers and supermarkets have contributed to changing the urban appearance. The coordination relationship with provincial departments, branches and local authorities is regularly consolidated and improved, contributing to effective direction and operation. Internal solidarity and high consensus; Ensure the principle of democratic centralism and the chief regime in leadership and management; at the same time promote the sense of responsibility and individual initiative and creativity of each position for assigned tasks.

In addition, the newly increased capacity of the industry has improved from completed and operational projects that have begun to show effectiveness, such as: Hua Na Hydropower Plant (February), Khe Bo Hydropower Plant (May), Hanosimex Garment Factory (May), MLB Tenergy Garment Factory (May), TH Fresh Milk Factory (July), Tien Phong Plastic Factory (September),...

PV:Although the industrial value increased compared to the same period and was higher than the national average, it still did not reach the planned target. Could you tell us why?

Comrade Phan Thanh Tinh:In 2013, some key products according to the Resolution of the 17th Provincial Party Congress did not achieve the set plan: Cement, white stone for export, livestock and milk processing... The development of new key products that have an impact on the province's economy such as metallurgy, mechanical engineering, electrical equipment, information technology... the results achieved were still low or not yet achieved. The production and business situation of enterprises continued to be difficult, showing signs of stagnation; the purchasing power of the market decreased; many enterprises had to reduce their scale, close their tax codes and stop production and business, a part of the labor force lost their jobs, their income was unstable, and their lives faced many difficulties. Although market inspection and control work has been strengthened, the situation of trading in counterfeit and poor quality goods is still complicated. Site clearance work, progress of investment in infrastructure of concentrated industrial parks, industrial clusters, rural market systems, and commercial centers are still slow,... due to limited budget resources and difficulties in mobilizing investment capital.

The reason is that the general difficult situation in the country and the world continues to greatly affect the export market and maintain economic growth. Enterprises have difficulty accessing bank capital mainly due to not meeting the conditions for borrowing capital according to regulations, lacking feasible production and business plans. Prices of input factors are still high, especially fluctuations in the price of essential goods such as gasoline, gas, electricity, water, etc. Unusual weather, natural disasters and floods have caused severe damage; complicated epidemics have greatly affected production and life. Many programs and projects have been proposed but resources have not been balanced, and construction is slower than required; the state management apparatus at all levels organizes and implements policies in a synchronous manner; and is not resolute in directing implementation.

Intimex Supermarket (Vinh City). Photo on page: Sy Minh

PV:In 2014, the industry's target is to increase industrial production value by 11%-12%. To achieve that target, what innovations and solutions do you think the industry needs?

Comrade Phan Thanh Tinh:To achieve the set goals, the industry has proposed solutions and groups of solutions for each field. That is, continue to implement solutions to control inflation; review and supplement planning, policies, programs and projects for industrial and commercial development. Strongly improve the investment environment, business environment and provincial competitiveness index (PCI), promote production and business, effectively implement solutions to improve growth quality. Pay attention to investing in building a team of entrepreneurs, improving the quality of human resources. Promote administrative reform, direction and operation, prevent corruption, practice thrift, and combat waste. Strengthen state management of industrial and commercial activities. Implement coordination regulations between provincial and local departments and branches in directing, operating and urging the inspection of the implementation of tasks, programs and plans for 2014.

Regarding solutions to boost industrial production, the industry focuses on mobilizing all capital sources for production investment; encouraging enterprises to invest in developing supporting industries, providing raw materials for textile and garment factories preparing to come into operation. Gradually investing in technological innovation, mastering imported technologies, increasing added value and competitiveness of products. Making good use of the capacity of existing factories, speeding up the implementation of factories to increase production capacity such as: hydropower, cement, unburnt materials, especially key products that contribute to large production value such as: beer, hydropower, cement, milk, white stone, construction materials, packaging,...

In addition, we also discussed solutions to develop the domestic market, develop import and export...

PV:Thank you comrade!

PV(perform)