Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee points out risks to the most potential area
(Baonghean.vn) - The challenges and risks in the Western Nghe An region were summarized by Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Thai Thanh Quy: Low budget revenue and per capita income, people living in mountainous areas but not benefiting from the forests, the gap between mountainous areas and urban plains is at risk of widening.
Within the framework of the meeting between the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and leaders at the department level and equivalent in provincial agencies taking place on the morning of September 28, answering questions from delegates about the economic development of the Western Nghe An region, comrade Thai Thanh Quy - Alternate member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee frankly raised a number of risks and challenges for this region considered to have the most potential in Nghe An.
Living in the forest but not benefiting from the forest
Comrade Thai Thanh Quy said that the Western Nghe An region accounts for 83% of the province's total area, spanning 11 district-level localities, with a population of over 1 million people, including about 500,000 ethnic minorities. In particular, the Western Nghe An region has more than 468 km of border with Laos, with 27 communes in border districts.
Identified as one of the three key economic regions of Nghe An, in recent years the Party and State have had many policies to care about the lives of people in Western Nghe An. In 2013, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 2355-QD/TTg on the development of Western Nghe An. After more than 5 years of implementing Decision No. 2355, the appearance of this area has changed a lot, people's lives have improved.
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| Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Thai Thanh Quy answers questions about the development of Western Nghe An. Photo: Thanh Cuong |
However, there are still challenges and risks to the socio-economic development of Western Nghe An such as: budget revenue issues, low per capita income, poor households accounting for 13%. Especially people living in mountainous areas but do not benefit from the forest. Therefore, the most important thing at present for all levels and sectors is to re-plan the 3 types of forests, gradually transforming the forest economic structure to create conditions for the people.
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| Technical staff of Muong Long Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company introduces tissue culture for growing Puxailaileng ginseng. Photo: Dao Tuan. |
In addition, find solutions to promote economic development, including building models for growing medicinal plants under the forest canopy. Suitable areas to implement projects for growing medicinal plants are localities such as: Ky Son, Tuong Duong, Que Phong...
"If we grow angelica, 1 hectare can bring in an income of 250 - 300 million VND" - comrade Thai Thanh Quy emphasized.
Discourage mineral exploitation and hydropower
Regarding the management of minerals and resources in the western region of Nghe An, the head of the Provincial People's Committee said that this work has not been done well.
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| The sludge dam of Nghe Tinh Non-ferrous Metal Joint Stock Company on Lan Toong mountain (Chau Thanh commune, Quy Hop) was broken. Photo courtesy |
Affirming that exploiting resources systematically, scientifically and in moderation is also a way to protect resources and preserve them for future generations, comrade Thai Thanh Quy said that the provincial leaders' viewpoint is to not encourage mineral exploitation, including types such as gold, tin and stone. The purpose is to protect the environment and combat climate change.
| Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Thai Thanh Quy emphasized the risks and challenges facing the Western Nghe An region and some solutions to overcome them. |