Focus on removing difficulties, accompanying businesses

(Baonghean) - Comrade Le Xuan Dai - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee gave an interview to Nghe An Newspaper.

PV:Dear Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, could you evaluate the efforts of the provincial authorities at all levels in removing difficulties and facilitating production and business of enterprises in 2014?

Comrade Le Xuan Dai led the Russian Ambassador delegation to visit Hanoi Brewery (Nam Cam Industrial Park). Photo: Sy Minh

Comrade Le Xuan Dai:In 2014, although the world and domestic economic situation has recovered, there are still many difficulties and challenges; the situation in the East Sea is complicated, negatively affecting socio-economic development. In the province, production and business recover slowly, difficulties from previous years have not been completely resolved, such as: pressure from bad debt; slow consumption of domestic goods; low management capacity and competitiveness of enterprises...

In that context, the Provincial Party Committee, People's Council and People's Committee have led and directed all levels and sectors to synchronously implement solutions to remove difficulties and obstacles for enterprises' production and business activities. Directing all levels and sectors to strongly improve the business environment, promote the production of key products, restore the production of some products that are input materials for the construction industry (such as construction stone, burnt bricks, cement, roofing sheets, etc.); increase support for promoting and encouraging the consumption of products produced in the area; promote trade promotion activities to expand the product consumption market, etc.; All levels and sectors have reviewed and revised administrative procedures to facilitate people and businesses, especially administrative procedures on tax, customs, land, mineral resources, etc. (recently, Nghe An Tax Department has been assessed as an excellent unit, leading the Tax sector in implementing electronic tax declaration and payment services); At the same time, strengthen the implementation of support and propaganda measures for taxpayers.

Accordingly, in 2014, after implementing the solutions, the number of tax compliance hours of taxpayers was reduced by 370 hours/year (from 537 hours to 167 hours). The application of information technology in the operations of state agencies was enhanced and effectively implemented, especially in electronic tax declaration and electronic customs. In addition, solutions were effectively implemented to improve the provincial PCI index and gradually improve the satisfaction index of people and businesses with the operations of state agencies at all levels. According to data published by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), Nghe An's PCI index in 2014 increased from 46th (average) to 28th (fair). Leaders at all levels and sectors regularly organize dialogues with enterprises, directly work with a number of enterprises and corporations to remove difficulties and obstacles in project implementation, as well as receive recommendations and proposals from enterprises for timely consideration and handling.

Product packaging at Song Con Sugarcane Factory (Tan Ky). Photo: Thu Huyen

The provincial leaders also directed the development and submission to the Prime Minister for approval of the adjustment of the boundary of the Southeast Nghe An Economic Zone to implement the VSIP6 Project; submitted for approval the Project to adjust the boundary of the Southeast Economic Zone including the Hoang Mai and Dong Hoi industrial parks... so that businesses and investors can fully enjoy investment incentives when investing in the economic zone.

Thus, it can be said that in 2014, all levels and sectors in the province made great efforts in implementing the policy of removing difficulties and facilitating production and business of enterprises. Along with the efforts of enterprises, in 2014, the total product in Nghe An (GDP) increased by 7.24% over the same period last year. Of which, the added value of the service sector increased by 8.26%, the added value of the industry and construction sector increased by 8.72%, the added value of the agriculture - forestry - fishery sector increased by 3.85%. The total budget revenue in 2014 reached 7,960 billion VND, of which the domestic revenue calculated for balance reached 6,613 billion VND, reaching 120% of the estimate, increasing by 19.3% over the same period in 2013; Revenue from import-export activities: 1,187 billion VND, reaching 114% of the People's Council's estimate, up 16% over the same period in 2013.

PV:Could you please tell us more about the important role of the business community in the overall achievements of the province's budget collection results?

Comrade Le Xuan Dai:In 2014, the whole province had more than 8,500 enterprises and tens of thousands of households and individuals paying taxes, of which 240 typical organizations and individuals paid 3,136 billion VND, accounting for nearly 50% of the total domestic revenue of Nghe An province.

To achieve that result, the provincial leaders acknowledged and highly appreciated the efforts and contributions of enterprises, businessmen, and tax-paying individuals who have steered enterprises to overcome difficulties, ensured jobs for workers, and at the same time fully and seriously fulfilled their obligations to the state budget. Most enterprises in the area are aware of implementing tax laws and policies well; proactively seeking information, fully participating in training on new tax policies, seizing opportunities, innovating technology, seeking markets, and promoting production and business. Typical are enterprises with high achievements in tax payment, such as: Saigon Song Lam Beer Joint Stock Company paid 563 billion VND, Hanoi Nghe An Beer Joint Stock Company paid 351 billion VND, Saigon - Nghe Tinh Beer Joint Stock Company paid 196 billion VND, Nghe Tinh Petroleum Company paid 174 billion VND, Ban Ve Hydropower paid 172 billion VND, Viettel Nghe An Branch paid 157 billion VND, etc.

In addition, many other enterprises and companies such as Bac A Commercial Joint Stock Bank, Nghe An Agricultural Materials Joint Stock Company, Nghe An Nasu Sugarcane Company Limited, Vinamilk Nghe An Dairy Joint Stock Company Branch, Nghe Tinh Port... are also units that always fulfill their tax obligations very well and contribute highly to the province's tax revenue. The above enterprises have made their mark in the province's budget collection activities, not only paying a lot, paying in full but also paying on time, without lingering overdue debts.

PV:In the coming time, to continue to remove difficulties and create the most favorable conditions for taxpayers, what should the Nghe An Tax Department do, sir?

Comrade Le Xuan Dai:In recent times, the Nghe An Tax Department has made great efforts in reforming tax administrative procedures, creating favorable conditions for businesses and taxpayers to fulfill their obligations to the State budget. Therefore, in order to continue to remove difficulties and create the most favorable conditions for taxpayers, in the coming time, the Tax Department and related departments need to continue to effectively implement the Government's policies and the Provincial People's Committee's direction on solutions to stabilize the macro-economy, control inflation, create favorable conditions, and remove difficulties for production and business of enterprises. Further promote the reform of tax administrative procedures, actively apply information technology in tax management and collection to serve people and businesses better and better; continue to maintain dialogue activities with businesses and periodically advise the Provincial People's Committee to organize dialogues with businesses to promptly handle problems arising in production and business of enterprises. In addition, it is necessary to be proactive, creative, and resolute in tax management solutions, combat tax losses, and reduce tax arrears. Strive to complete and exceed the 2015 budget collection plan assigned by the Provincial People's Council, as well as the budget collection targets according to the Resolution of the 17th Nghe An Provincial Party Congress.

PV:Thank you comrade!

Chau Lan(Perform)