Nghe An's GRDP growth rate in the first quarter is estimated at 7.5-8%.

Overview of the regular meeting of the Provincial People's Committee in March 2023. Photo: Pham Bang

At the meeting, the Provincial People's Committee and relevant departments and localities focused on discussing the implementation of tasks by working groups; the implementation of the socio-economic development plan for the first quarter, and key tasks and solutions for the second quarter of 2023; the implementation of state budget revenue in March 2023, and tasks and solutions for the second quarter of 2023; and administrative reform work in the first quarter, and tasks and solutions for the second quarter of 2023.

Results of budget revenue collection in the first quarter of 2023 in Nghe An province. Graphic: Huu Quan

Reports and opinions at the meeting unanimously assessed that, in March and the first quarter of 2023, the Provincial People's Committee had led and directed sectors and localities to resolutely implement socio-economic development tasks in accordance with the Government's Resolutions and the Provincial People's Council's Resolutions. The Provincial People's Committee issued decisions on key tasks and solutions and established five working groups to direct and promote various sectors and fields.

Comrade Nguyen Duc Trung - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, presided over the meeting. Photo: Pham Bang

According to preliminary estimates, the GRDP growth rate in the first quarter is expected to reach 7.5-8% (lower than the projected scenario of 8.5-9.5%).

In the first quarter, agricultural production mainly focused on harvesting winter crops and accelerating the progress of spring crop production. The province directed localities and units to actively implement the contents of the new rural development program; completing the dossiers of two districts, Dien Chau and Do Luong, to meet the new rural development standards for submission to the Central Government for appraisal.

Director of the Department of Planning and Investment Pham Hong Quang reports on the implementation of the socio-economic development plan for the first quarter, and key tasks and solutions for the second quarter of 2023. Photo: Pham Bang

The Provincial People's Committee has allocated capital plans to various sectors and localities and has decisively directed the acceleration of construction progress and disbursement of public investment capital from the very beginning of 2023. As of March 20th, over 282 billion VND of the province's centrally managed public investment capital has been disbursed, reaching 5.06%. The industrial production index for the first three months of the year is estimated to have increased by 5.81% compared to the same period last year.

Revenue from accommodation and food services in the first quarter is estimated at VND 2,657 billion, an increase of 28.57% compared to the same period in 2022. Total merchandise exports for the first three months are estimated at USD 520 million, while imports are estimated at over USD 274 million. The number of tourists is estimated at 1.9 million, equivalent to 181% compared to the same period; revenue is estimated at VND 1,460 billion, equivalent to 306.7% compared to the same period in 2022.

Director of the Department of Finance Trinh Thanh Hai reports on the state budget revenue collection situation in March 2023, and tasks and solutions for the second quarter of 2023. Photo: Pham Bang

Budget revenue in the first quarter is estimated at VND 4,467 billion, reaching 28.2% of the projected target (lower than the target of VND 4,900 billion). Of this, domestic revenue is estimated at VND 4,258 billion; revenue from import and export activities is estimated at VND 209 billion. External relations and international cooperation continued to be strengthened. The province granted licenses for 30 new projects with a total registered investment capital of over VND 4,937 billion. The total newly granted and adjusted capital amounted to over VND 5,435 billion.

Administrative reform, improvement of the investment and business environment, and digital transformation have been promoted, especially through Government Project No. 06. The Provincial Party Standing Committee has issued a decision to establish the Steering Committee and the Working Group assisting the Steering Committee for administrative reform of the province. Culture and social affairs have been emphasized; social security and people's lives have been ensured; national defense and security, order, and social safety have been guaranteed.

Director of the Department of Internal Affairs Nguyen Viet Hung reports on administrative reform work in the first quarter and tasks and solutions for the second quarter of 2023. Photo: Pham Bang.

It is estimated that 17,898 people found employment in the first quarter, achieving 41.62% of the plan. The program to support the construction of housing for poor and disadvantaged households in the province was successfully implemented. As of February 28th, 129 units and individuals had registered to support 10,187 houses, equivalent to 521.434 billion VND.

Besides the achievements, industrial sector growth was lower than the projected scenario; some budget revenues were lower than the same period in 2022; the disbursement of public investment capital remained low; and in some agencies and units, there were still cases of officials and employees violating administrative discipline and regulations, and breaking the law, resulting in prosecution and arrest.