We must create new determination and take new steps (*).

(Baonghean) - Excerpt from the comrade's speechNguyen Sinh Hung - Member of the Politburo, Chairman of the National Assemblyat the conference.

...This spring gathering holds immense significance, providing an opportunity to reflect on the past five years, to forge new resolve for a new era, and to establish a tradition that strengthens our bonds. On this auspicious occasion, I wish the provincial leaders, businesspeople, and delegates, along with their families, abundant health so that we may all work together to build Nghe An into a prosperous province, as envisioned by President Ho Chi Minh, in accordance with the spirit of the recent Politburo Directive 26.

...Our Party has set a goal that by 2020, Vietnam will essentially become a modern industrialized country. Will Nghe An become an industrialized province, reaching a modern level by 2020? The average per capita income of the province at the end of 2013 was 24 million VND. This income mainly goes to those working in factories and enterprises, while the remaining 80% of the province's population are farmers with low incomes. Although Nghe An farmers have a better standard of living compared to some other localities, they are still poor compared to the general average. Given this reality, we must ask: Is agriculture still backward? Has the industry become modern? Are there enough high-tech industrial zones? Regarding infrastructure, Nghe An has roads, railways, and air routes, but it lacks a seaport.

Ambassador Nguyen Manh Hung, the Vietnamese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Lao People's Democratic Republic, stated that the most important thing now is to connect Nghe An with the East-West Highway to facilitate trade with Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, and vice versa. However, visitors to Nghe An will travel to the sea, and although a seaport has been planned, it has not yet been built. Furthermore, Vinh Airport, despite a 50% growth rate, remains cramped, and the terminal does not meet passenger demand. Thus, we can see that the province's economy and infrastructure are still weak; the people's lives remain impoverished. This requires us to find solutions to the poverty alleviation problem and to define our goals for each year.

Looking at Binh Duong province, which started from a very low point with weak infrastructure and was smaller in area and conditions than Nghe An, after 20 years, Binh Duong has become a relatively prosperous province, with a budget revenue of 29 trillion VND; the poverty line is 1 million VND, higher than the national average of 400,000 VND/month, yet only 5% of households remain poor; and there has been a strong shift in the economic structure, with agriculture accounting for only 3.4%. Looking back at Nghe An, even as we approach 2020, we are still far from achieving our goal of becoming an industrial province. Therefore, I hope that the provincial leaders and investors present here will work together, be determined, and assess their current position to determine the right path forward.

First and foremost, the province must create a very open and transparent investment environment to address fundamental issues. On the other hand, provincial leaders must be united and determined to reform administrative procedures and resolve obstacles. If we fail to do so, we will meet and hold meetings repeatedly, and investors will eventually leave. Therefore, we must review our policies and development strategies. Nghe An is inviting policymakers and strategists to develop future strategies for the province; at the same time, the province is inviting foreign experts to plan the development of Vinh City and the entire province. This is absolutely the right thing to do.

Comrade Nguyen Sinh Hung meets with members of the Farmers' Association of Nam Dan district. Photo: Thanh Nga.

In 2014, comrades will have to determine the direction for the Resolution of the next term. The province must determine whether, at the conference next year and in subsequent years, the economy will develop further and poverty will be lifted out of poverty. To achieve this, the province's industry will develop in a modern direction, the new rural development program will be successful, urban areas will develop, and socio-economic development will be harmonious. Only then will Nghe An's GDP be higher than the national average, and the poverty rate lower than the national average to achieve the goal of becoming a relatively prosperous province. First and foremost, the province must plan for the development of agriculture and new industries such as biotechnology, information technology, and mechanical engineering; and the development of services.

In addition, the province must focus on developing education and training to create a high-quality workforce; it must plan for modern urban and rural development; and ensure harmonious connectivity between urban and rural areas. Therefore, comrades must actively assess and accurately evaluate the direction of Nghe An's development, carefully considering and incorporating these into the Resolution of the upcoming Provincial Party Congress.

Thirdly, you must create a new determination among the entire population and all businesses, not just within the provincial leadership. Actions must be for the people, and everyone will recognize your goodwill. Investors are very discerning; they come to Nghe An to invest primarily because of its favorable geopolitical, socio-economic, and geographical conditions; besides that, they have a great affection for the homeland of President Ho Chi Minh. This is something we should acknowledge. We are proud to be people of Nghe An, because of its rich history and talented people, because of our ancestors' traditions, and because of President Ho Chi Minh. However, Nghe An must strive to live up to the attention of the Party, the State, and the people of the whole country, including businesses. I hope that investors will discuss and plan in a spirit of goodwill towards Nghe An province, so that they can both conduct business effectively and contribute to Nghe An's development. Therefore, our conference must generate new determination, new steps, and new calculations for the coming years so that its value is greatly enhanced, truly bringing practical benefits to the people, strengthening the economic, political, and social foundations of Nghe An, and making an important contribution to our country.

Thank you all, and I wish you good health and happiness! May our resolutions become a reality.

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(*) The title was added by Nghe An Newspaper.