Gradually affirming itself as the economic and cultural center of the Southwest region

(Baonghean) - The improvement in 2016 with a number of key projects and works coming into operation and basic socio-economic targets and plans being achieved and exceeded has created new advantages for Con Cuong. Comrade Vi Van Son - Deputy Secretary of the District Party Committee, Chairman of the District People's Committee had an interview with Nghe An Newspaper on this issue.

PV:Could you please tell us about the outstanding results of Con Cuong district in 2016?

Comrade Vi Van Son: In 2016, despite complicated weather conditions, with severe cold in the beginning of the year and prolonged drought in the middle of the year, Con Cuong district still made efforts to achieve some outstanding results.

Total production value in 2016 reached over 1,755 billion VND, reaching 100.76% of the plan, up 13.42% over the same period; total product growth rate reached 9.32%. Industry and construction sector reached over 520 billion VND, equal to 107.23% of the plan, up 29.17% over the same period. Tourism activities have improved with over 20,000 visitors, creating conditions to promote the development of accommodation, food and beverage, and travel services.

Comrade Vi Van Son - Chairman of Con Cuong District People's Committee (second from right) discussed with artisans about producing traditional brocade products. Photo: Huu Nghia

Investment attraction and construction increased significantly. Total investment capital reached over 662 billion VND. Many works and projects were focused on directing and coordinating implementation by the district, so the progress was accelerated, such as: Chi Khe Hydropower Plant, Khe Thoi Hydropower Plant, Tecco Urban Complex...; some works were accelerated to be put into operation, typically: Muong Thanh Con Cuong Hotel - Service Complex; many projects and socio-economic development plans were developed in conjunction with the Action Program to implement the Resolution of the 26th District Party Congress and the Project to build Con Cuong district towards an ecological urban area.

The socio-cultural field has many improvements. In the 2015-2016 school year, Con Cuong had 5 students winning national prizes; 45 students were excellent students at the provincial level at secondary school level, and 19 students at high school level. The work of taking care of people's health has been paid attention to, and the national target program on health has been well implemented. Social security has been taken care of, creating new jobs for 1,350 workers, including 245 exported workers, reaching 122% of the target assigned by the province.

National defense and security are always strengthened, social order is maintained, ensuring safety for major events and holidays of the country and the locality. The political system after the election is consolidated, operating stably, smoothly and effectively.

PV:What is the significance of the results achieved in 2016 in the effort to realize the goal of Con Cuong becoming the Economic-Cultural Center of the Southwest region and an ecological urban area, sir?

Comrade Vi Van Son:It can be said that the comprehensive results achieved in 2016 have created new favorable conditions for Con Cuong to gradually realize the goals set by the XXVI District Party Congress for the 2015-2020 term. That is to build Con Cuong into a fairly comprehensive district, an economic and cultural center of the Southwest Nghe An region, basically meeting the criteria of a type 4 urban area by 2020 in the direction of an ecological urban area. This is a very large goal, in addition to requiring consensus and high political determination of the entire Party Committee, there must be resources to implement it.

Con Cuong is considered a district with many advantages in developing tourism - services, therefore, with the district urgently implementing the general urban planning project of Con Cuong associated with the planning of tourist spots, historical relic clusters, and scenic spots to attract investment, it has created a new shift in the thinking, awareness, and actions of officials and people. In 2016, with the inauguration and putting into use of the Muong Thanh - Con Cuong Hotel - Commercial Center complex, it has basically solved the "bottleneck" of the locality in terms of tourism - service business infrastructure, especially accommodation services, opening up new prospects in this field. At the same time, Con Cuong also actively and effectively implemented resolutions and projects in the action program to implement the Resolution of the District Party Congress for the term 2015-2020 on forest protection and development, commodity agriculture, rural infrastructure, and urban infrastructure.

PV:So what is the key task of Con Cuong in 2017, comrade?

Comrade Vi Van Son:The year 2017 is of great significance for promoting the implementation of the 5-year socio-economic development plan 2016-2020; Resolution of the 26th District Party Congress and Resolution No. 26-NQ/TW of the Politburo on the direction and tasks of developing Nghe An province until 2020, so Con Cuong identifies the following key tasks:

Firstly, continue to organize and implement the Resolution of the XXVI District Party Congress for the 2015-2020 term and the Project to build Con Cuong district into a town in the direction of an ecological urban area. The focus is on implementing the issued socio-economic development projects, such as: Project on agricultural and forestry production; project on job creation and sustainable poverty reduction; project on growing clean vegetables; project on planting trees on roads and residential areas; project on protecting aquatic resources; project on building brands for some typical products of Con Cuong district... Focus on completing the General Planning Project of Con Cuong town in the direction of an ecological urban area; strengthen investment promotion, especially in areas where the district has advantages. Gradually complete urban and rural infrastructure...

Panoramic view of Con Cuong town. Photo by Huu Nghia

Second, improve the competitiveness and efficiency of agricultural production, trade, services, and tourism; complete a number of plans for tourist attractions to attract investment. Restore historical sites and relics associated with preserving and promoting the cultural identities of ethnic groups, especially the characteristics of the Thai and Dan Lai communities; improve the service capacity of villages operating in community tourism; develop souvenir products; encourage the development of craft villages and villages with crafts; focus on building cooperatives and cooperative groups in environmental services, tourism, agriculture, and weaving, etc.

Third, develop socio-culture, education - training, science - technology and ensure social security. Focus on building national standard communes in health; consolidate and build national standard schools; communes meeting national standards in culture, national target programs. Implement well ethnic and religious policies.

Fourth, environmental protection is associated with solutions for sustainable development such as: strengthening management, rational and effective exploitation of land and natural resources, ensuring harmony between economic development and protection of ecological environment resources; doing a good job of forest protection and development; strictly handling violations of regulations on environmental protection and mineral exploitation.

Fifth, carry out administrative reform well; prevent corruption, practice thrift, combat waste; strengthen information, propaganda, and image promotion to attract investment. Ensure national defense, security, and social order and safety.

PV:Thanks comrade!

Huu Nghia(perform)