Tuong Duong exploits potential, sustainably reduces poverty

(Baonghean) -Nghe An Newspaper interviewed comrade Nguyen Van Hai - Deputy Secretary of District Party Committee,Chairman of Tuong Duong District People's Committee.

PV:As a mountainous border district facing many difficulties, in 2016 Tuong Duong still achieved good results in socio-economic development. Could you tell us about the specific results?

Comrade Nguyen Van Hai - Deputy Secretary of District Party Committee, Chairman of Tuong Duong District People's Committee

Comrade Nguyen Van Hai:After the 26th District Party Congress, the Standing Committee and the Party Committee of Tuong Duong District issued the working program for the entire term, resolutions and projects. On that basis, the District People's Committee issued an action program to implement the Resolutions of the Party Congresses at all levels on socio-economic development, national defense and security, which is the basis for all levels and sectors to unify in direction, leadership and implementation.

Based on the leadership, close direction and timely practical assistance of the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People's Committee and provincial and district-level sectors, the difficulties and severity of climate change, difficult and pressing social issues have been overcome; along with the participation of the entire district-level political system, dynamism in leadership and consensus and support of all classes of people, therefore, in 2016, Tuong Duong district has achieved positive results in all areas, as follows:

Total production value reached 7.67%. Of which: agriculture - forestry - fishery increased by 5.5%; industry - construction increased by 10.9%; trade - services increased by 6.8%. Average income per capita is estimated at 21.6 million VND/year. Total food output reached 19,683 tons, successfully tested 4 hectares of passion fruit in Nhon Mai commune and 100 trees in Tam Hop commune. 1,470 hectares of forest were planted, of which 1,445 hectares were planted in concentrated areas/1,000 hectares of the plan, the existing forest area was well protected; forest coverage reached 80.3%. Total herd of buffalo and cows was 38,946; in terms of aquaculture, 83 more fish cages were developed, increasing the number of fish cages to 221. Regarding the construction of new rural areas, Tuong Duong is the only district in the 30a districts of the province with 2 communes recognized as meeting new rural standards (Thach Giam and Tam Thai communes). In the near future, Tam Quang commune will be recognized as new rural areas.

Industrial and construction production maintained a stable pace, coal mining output, tap water, construction stone, and electricity exceeded the plan (high increase of 8-20%); 18/18 communes had electricity, the number of households using grid electricity accounted for 10%. Some enterprises operated effectively such as Dai Nam Construction Consulting and Mineral Exploitation Joint Stock Company (Tam Dinh) which was the first enterprise to build a non-fired brick production line worth over 10 billion VND. The company also exploited construction stone, creating jobs for more than 40 local workers, with salaries ranging from 5 - 7 million VND/person/month.

Anh Khoa chopsticks production facility in Thach Giam commune purchases more than 12,000 bamboo chopsticks per month to produce bamboo chopsticks, exporting to Laos and Cambodia, creating jobs for 50-60 workers, with a salary of 4-5 million VND/person/month. Investment in construction and development is considered important. During the year, the district has built 18/18 projects and put them into use, many urgent projects such as the resettlement area of ​​Xop Mat village, Luong Minh commune People's Committee... Service and trade activities have achieved good results, meeting the requirements of production development and people's needs (especially transportation services, bank credit and information).

Processing bamboo chopsticks for export at Anh Khoa chopsticks processing facility in Thach Giam commune (Tuong Duong).

The cultural and social fields have many positive changes: Last school year, 41 students were excellent students at school, 1,010 students were excellent students at district level, 141 students passed university and college entrance exams; by the end of 2016, the total number of national standard schools increased to 23. During the year, 1 more commune (Xa Luong) met the national criteria for health, 100% of communes had doctors working. Jobs were created for 3,462 workers.

The poverty rate is estimated to decrease by 6%, bringing the poverty rate down from 49.84% to 43.84%. Social security work and policy implementation for people with meritorious services are well implemented. Border security and domestic security are firmly ensured, many drug and human trafficking cases are investigated and solved. The special friendship with Laos is well maintained and developed.

PV:Besides, Tuong Duong still has difficulties and limitations; can you share the above problem?

Comrade Nguyen Van Hai:That is, there are currently some criteria that are not expected to be met in 2016, agricultural, forestry and fishery production is still fragmented, and there are violations of laws on forest and mineral resource protection. Construction is still slow. Land acquisition work for the Khe Bo hydropower resettlement area is still slow, affecting people's lives. The rate of students passing the 10th grade entrance exam is still low. Some people in the Ban Ve hydropower resettlement area have returned to do illegal business in the reservoir area, drug crimes and human trafficking are complicated...

PV:Could you tell us about the socio-economic development orientation of the district in 2017?

Comrade Nguyen Van Hai:In 2017, Tuong Duong strives to exploit the potential and resources in the area, actively and effectively use the State's policies and mechanisms, improve efficiency, develop sustainably and grow reasonably associated with effectively implementing economic indicators, especially household economy and farm economy; expand passion fruit cultivation.

Cage fish farming on Nam Non River in Xa Luong Commune.

Promote the socialization of forest protection and care contracts, build concentrated raw material areas to serve the processing industry. Maximize all resources to build infrastructure to serve production, effectively implement the New Rural Development Program. Link economic development with social security and welfare goals and improve people's lives.

Take care of cultural and educational development. Manage forest and mineral resources well in the area. Strengthen national defense and security, ensure political security and social order and safety. Promote administrative reform, improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the state management apparatus.

Practice thrift, fight waste; strengthen the work of preventing and combating corruption. Pay attention to the work of Party building, building the political system, strengthening solidarity within the Party, solidarity among ethnic groups. Seriously implement Directive No. 17-CT/TU dated December 3, 2013 of the Provincial Party Standing Committee on strengthening discipline and administrative discipline in agencies and units in Nghe An province and Directive No. 26/CT-TTg dated September 5, 2016 of the Prime Minister; Resolution 04-NQ/TW dated October 30, 2016 of the 12th Party Central Committee.

PV:Thanks comrade!

Van Truong(Perform)