Quy Hop: Eliminate small-scale production, move towards large-scale production

(Baonghean) - Eliminate small-scale production, move towards large-scale production! - That is the immediate and long-term development requirement and task for Quy Hop district, as pointed out in the working session of comrade Nguyen Xuan Duong - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and the working delegation with the leaders of this district on March 16.

Potential areas face challenges

Since 2013, the Provincial People's Committee has had a comprehensive working session on the socio-economic issues of Quy Hop district. However, the working atmosphere could not avoid the haunting memories of the dam collapse incident of the Suoi Bac Tin Factory belonging to Nghe Tinh Non-ferrous Metals Joint Stock Company that occurred a week earlier, on the morning of March 9. Perhaps, this environmental incident that shocked public opinion was also one of the reasons for the members of the provincial working delegation to have the opportunity to frankly assess the strengths, shortcomings and limitations of this land rich in potential.

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Xuan Duong visited the superfine white stone powder product at the processing facility of Trung Hai KS&TM JSC - Nghe An. Photo: Ngo Kien

“Quy Hop is rich in potential. Not only does the land have fertile soil, but the ground contains many valuable mineral resources such as tin; not only is the forest land favorable for growing forest products and raising large livestock, but in the heart of the mountains and forests there is a source of white stone and fine art stone with valuable reserves that are among the highest in Vietnam” - that is the suggestive assessment of the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee when chairing the working session with the leaders of Quy Hop district.

This content continues to be analyzed and clarified by leaders of provincial departments and branches. As a district located in the growth pole of the Northwest region of Nghe An, Quy Hop has basic strengths such as: the district has the 7th largest natural area in the province, with a total natural area of ​​94,172.8 hectares; over 3 thousand hectares of red basalt soil suitable for growing fruit trees, especially oranges; 48,800 hectares of planned production forest land. Quy Hop people have a cultural and historical tradition; Quy Hop enterprises are dynamic and do well.

In addition to the large area of ​​rubber trees that were once famous, Quy Hop is now gradually asserting its position as the main source of high-income orange trees with over 1,640 hectares. There are 59 mines in the area (13 tin mines, 29 white stone mines, 16 construction stone mines and 1 mineral water mine), 148 mineral processing factories in operation. Quy Hop has built and expanded many effective economic models. Initially, some high-tech economic models with suitable directions have been applied.

However, in the process of development, this land of great potential is also facing many challenges, sometimes falling into a difficult situation.

The potential is huge, but the development results are not commensurate, even far from the potential. Recently, the production and business activities of most enterprises have declined, the output of some key products such as sugar and tin has decreased.

Comrade Nguyen Xuan Duong and the delegation visited a high-yield orange garden in Minh Hop commune (Quy Hop). Photo: Archive

Illegal mining activities still occur in some places. Environmental pollution still occurs, especially the dam burst containing waste at Suoi Bac tin mine, Chau Thanh commune of Nghe Tinh Non-ferrous Metals Joint Stock Company. 4/6 targets did not meet the plan on health and education. In 2016, 10/28 targets did not meet the plan.

Overcoming difficulties to develop to its full potential

At the working session between the provincial delegation and the leaders of Quy Hop district chaired by the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, among many issues raised, there were 4 main issues of concern: the need to change the scale of production; clearly define the direction for key products; remove mechanisms to create favorable conditions for businesses to operate; and do a good job of state management of mineral exploitation and processing.

Mr. Ho Ngoc Bao - Deputy Head of the Southeast Economic Zone Management Board said that in order to limit environmental impacts and manage mineral exploitation well, it is necessary to concentrate mining and processing facilities in industrial parks. Currently, many mining and mineral processing facilities in Quy Hop are still fragmented, small-scale production, lack of concentration, most of which are raw production and raw processing. Some facilities are located at the headwaters, near residential areas, making it difficult to control illegal mining as well as limit environmental impacts.

Comrade Nguyen Xuan Duong chaired the working session on the afternoon of March 16 in Quy Hop district. Photo: Document

Giving suggestions to increase the value of products in the area, Mr. Nguyen Huy Cuong - Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade said that in Quy Hop, attracting investment to process refined products is still limited, mainly raw production and raw export, so the commercial value of mineral resources, agricultural - forestry - land products is not high. Therefore, focusing on processing and production on a large scale and modernly is extremely necessary to increase the value of products, including handicraft products and agricultural products. It is necessary to encourage investment in the processing industry; focus on building model industrial parks to replicate the model.

Regarding the direction of key trees and animals, representatives of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Department of Science and Technology, Quy Hop Small and Medium Enterprises Association... especially emphasized the "hot growth" of orange trees, the need to improve the economic efficiency of this fruit tree. On the one hand, it is necessary to create favorable conditions and mechanisms to convert the area of ​​exhausted forests and rubber forests with no economic efficiency to grow oranges, on the other hand, it is necessary to pay attention to building brands, focusing on the application of science and technology to ensure the quality of genetic resources and the reputation of orange products in the area. In addition, Quy Hop needs to have a medicinal plant production area with high economic efficiency.

A necessary direction for Quy Hop, pointed out by Mr. Nguyen Truong Giang - Deputy Director of the Department of Construction, is to strengthen development and investment in urban construction. Quy Hop town and neighboring areas have a relatively high average living standard, but the exploitation of urban land funds is still limited. Therefore, Quy Hop district needs to conduct a survey and assessment and do a good job of urban planning, exploiting urban land funds well to serve the needs of growth and development in the area.

Basically agreeing with the opinions and proposals on directions to remove the "difficult situation" for Quy Hop, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Xuan Duong concluded many important issues, emphasizing that in attracting investment, it is necessary to pay special attention to the scale and quality of works and projects. Focus on attracting large-scale projects, applying high technology, and being environmentally friendly.

The district needs to show strong determination in seeking and cooperating with large-scale enterprises with strengths and good brands to move towards large-scale, modern, and sustainable production. Eliminate the situation of fragmented production and association with weak-capacity enterprises that leave negative consequences.

It can be affirmed that the difficulties and limitations that Quy Hop is facing may not only be the district's own difficulties but also the general situation of many localities towards a new development cycle. It is expected that, with the relatively clearly identified directions to overcome difficulties, Quy Hop will soon have the right and successful changes, creating a strong development momentum for the region and making an important contribution to the overall development of the province.

Ngo Kien