For reference only.

(Baonghean) - At the end of 2013, the Research Group of the National Committee on International Economic Cooperation announced the Local Economic Integration Index, abbreviated as PEII. According to the index, Nghe An was among the leading provinces and cities, including Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Binh Duong, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Thanh Hoa, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, and Thua Thien - Hue. This shows that Nghe An's integration capacity is strong.

It is known that the PEII index was scientifically and meticulously implemented with funding from the Australian International Development Agency and the UK Department for International Development, along with input from many other international experts. This is the second time, but the first time, that the PEII index has assessed the integration of all 63 provinces and cities nationwide. The assessment tool consists of 8 criteria in the following order: (1) institutions, (2) culture, (3) infrastructure, (4) natural characteristics, (5) trade, (6) tourism, (7) investment, and (8) people. According to experts, these 8 criteria are all closely related to each other; localities that operate well can develop rapidly. While the PCI index (Provincial Competitiveness Index) shows the capacity of provincial-level economic management in the economic development of enterprises, the PEII index assesses the relationship between the management of economic development by enterprises and the lives of the people. And the PEII criteria also show that if leaders, especially those at the top, provide timely and dynamic guidance to create the most favorable conditions for both investors and the lives of the people, they will strongly attract investors.

Returning to the "event" of Nghe An being among the top performers, specifically ranking 8th, it shows that only criterion 4 (natural characteristics) is unfavorable and immutable, while the other 7 criteria largely depend on subjective human efforts. Among these, the most important criterion, ranked 1st, is institutions. Whether or not it scores highly depends on policies and the capabilities of leaders and heads of departments. It is encouraging that this ranking shows that the institutional criterion in Nghe An is recognized and highly valued by PEII.

It's understood that both the CPI and PEII indices are only for reference, and may even differ from reality. According to one expert, the PEII index doesn't fully reflect the strengths and weaknesses of provinces and cities in their actual capacity for international competition. It remains merely an assessment based on numbers, phenomena, and the results of production and business activities in those localities. As former Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan stated: "The index of international economic integration capacity at the local level is a new concept. Currently, there is only a national economy, not a provincial economy, so this report is only for reference."

In any case, Nghe An's inclusion in the top rankings of the Regional Economic Integration Index (PEII) is truly encouraging. However, how this result will be reflected in reality remains to be seen. As one expert put it: "Where there is the highest productivity and profitability, that's where investment will be attracted; where there is an abundant labor force, institutions or governments that create favorable conditions to encourage or attract investment; and where the ability to effectively combine local and international resources will attract investment."

Viet Long