Reaching the status of a key growth hub in the Northwest region.

(Baonghean) - Comrade Le Tien Tri, Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Secretary of Thai Hoa Town Party Committee, answers an interview with Nghe An Newspaper.

Leaders of the Thai Hoa Town Party Committee inspect the progress of the Festival Palace project in the Dong Lay area. Photo: Huu Nghia.

Reporter:Could you please tell us about the outstanding achievements that Thai Hoa has accomplished during the term of implementing the Resolution of the First Party Congress of the Town?

Comrade Le Tien Tri:These can be summarized into 10 outstanding results as follows:

1. The economy maintained a relatively high growth rate, averaging 15.6% per year; the average per capita production value reached VND 71.26 million per year (a 31% increase compared to the Resolution's target), equivalent to VND 29 million per person per year (calculated based on average per capita added value); the economic structure shifted in the right direction.

2. The national target program for building new rural areas was directed comprehensively and decisively, receiving enthusiastic support and joint efforts from all sectors of the population and the business community (by the end of 2015, 6 out of 6 communes had met the standards for new rural areas).

3. Industry - construction and trade - services continued to grow at a fairly good rate (average growth rate over 5 years reaching 15.5% - 16.5%). Credit, banking, postal, telecommunications, transportation, restaurants, guesthouses, hotels, food and beverage, and cultural services developed strongly.

4. Annual state budget revenue has increased significantly. By 2015, budget revenue was estimated at 105,000 million VND, equivalent to 111% of the target set in the Resolution.

5. Infrastructure development and urban development have received significant investment. Technical and social infrastructure is gradually taking shape, including transportation, electricity supply, water supply, drainage, wastewater treatment, parks, and green spaces; the street lighting system has covered most of the main roads in the inner city; the internal road and embankment project of Bau Sen Forest Park (phase 1) has been completed, and the main urban transportation routes are being finalized.

6. Culture and society, science and technology, and environmental protection have been cared for and have seen positive changes; social security is ensured. The quality of comprehensive and specialized education has made significant progress; facilities for learning and teaching have been given attention (to date, 30 out of 32 schools have met national standards, reaching 93%). The quality of medical examination, treatment, and primary healthcare for the people has made significant progress. Poverty alleviation and job creation have been actively implemented and have become a widespread movement among the people. The poverty rate in 2010 (according to the old standard) was 6.9%, and by 2015 (according to the new standard) it had decreased to 2.49%.

Town leaders visit the highly effective dairy farming model of Mr. Ho Sy Dieu in Hamlet 4, Nghia Tien Commune. Photo: Huu Nghia

7. Local defense and military affairs are ensured. Political security and social order are maintained; there are no hotspots or unexpected or passive situations.

8. Significant results have been achieved in Party building. The quality of Party activities has seen many innovations and improvements. The leadership methods of Party committees at all levels have been reformed; responsibilities, duties, and powers have been more clearly defined.

9. The activities of the People's Councils and People's Committees at all levels have been reformed, improving their effectiveness and efficiency. People's Council sessions are meticulously prepared; the quality of the sessions is gradually improving. The leadership and management of the People's Committees of the town and communes/wards are more specific, practical, and responsible.

10. The role of the Fatherland Front and people's organizations has been enhanced; they actively participate in building the Party and government and strengthening national unity. The quality of operation of the grassroots political system has improved; members enthusiastically participate in movements and campaigns of gratitude, humanitarian aid, and charity, contributing to ensuring social security in the area.

Reporter: What shortcomings and weaknesses during your term need to be addressed, Comrade?

Comrade Le Tien Tri: The Thai Hoa Party Committee has seriously reviewed its performance and pointed out a number of shortcomings and weaknesses that need to be overcome, namely:

- Some targets have not been met as set out in the Resolution; the growth rate and quality, and the competitiveness of goods in the area are still low; and socio-economic infrastructure does not yet meet development requirements.

- Some Party organizations have not yet actively reformed their leadership methods; Party building work in some aspects has not been highly effective and has not met the requirements of the new situation.

- The activities of the government at all levels, the Fatherland Front, and people's organizations still have some limitations. The content and quality of supervision by the People's Councils are not yet accurate and effective; the proactiveness in work, the quality of work, and the implementation of administrative reforms in some agencies and units under the People's Committees have not met the requirements of development and practical issues.

Reporter:So, what lessons have been learned during the past term, Comrade?

Comrade Le Tien Tri:Some lessons learned are as follows:

1. We must focus on building a strong and comprehensive Party; promoting the proactive and creative role of the government in management and administration; and building a team of cadres and civil servants that meets the requirements of the tasks.

2. Promote the people's right to self-governance and the strength of national unity. Effectively implement the regulations on grassroots democracy; enhance the effectiveness of mass mobilization work by the political system and the role of the Fatherland Front and people's organizations in fulfilling political tasks.

3. Mobilize and effectively utilize resources, and strengthen investment attraction for rapid and sustainable development. At the same time, it is necessary to do a good job of planning, prepare basic conditions in terms of infrastructure and human resources, and decisively direct the implementation of administrative reforms to significantly improve the investment and business environment.

Reporter:Comrade, in order for Thai Hoa town to develop into a socio-economic center worthy of the Northwest region, and one of the important growth poles of the province, what are the goals and directions for the coming period?

Comrade Le Tien Tri:It can be said that the achievements made during the 2010-2015 term, along with the advantages of being located in the center of Phu Quy region - a key economic and social development area of ​​Western Nghe An, connected to the Southern Thanh Hoa - Northern Nghe An region - are important bases for the Thai Hoa Town Party Committee to orient its development towards becoming the center of the Northwest Nghe An region.

To implement the above direction, the following viewpoints must be thoroughly understood:

1. We must creatively apply the Party's guidelines and resolutions, and the State's policies and laws; continue to improve the leadership capacity and fighting strength of Party organizations; enhance the effectiveness of management and administration by the government from the town level to the grassroots; innovate and strengthen mass mobilization work, creating high consensus among the people for the goal of development.

2. Focus on developing and effectively managing various types of planning; mobilize and utilize resources efficiently for investment and development; strengthen investment in infrastructure systems and accelerate the pace of urbanization.

3. Identify services and trade as priority areas for development, creating breakthroughs in the town's development. Focus on developing processing industries, mechanical engineering, and manufacturing using advanced, environmentally friendly technologies; develop commercial agricultural production, applying scientific and technological advancements and high added value. Continue to improve the quality of criteria for achieving socio-cultural standards; build and develop a civilized, friendly, and progressively modern culture and people of Thai Hoa.

Therefore, it is necessary to implement synchronized tasks and solutions to enhance the leadership capacity of Party committees at all levels and the effectiveness and efficiency of government management and administration; significantly improve the investment and business environment; mobilize and effectively utilize resources; improve the quality of growth, ensure national defense and security, and a strong political system; transform Thai Hoa Town into a center for services and trade, education and training, healthcare, culture, and science and technology in the Northwest Nghe An region; and build the town to meet the standards of a type III urban area by 2020.

Reporter:Thank you, comrade!

Huu Nghia(Perform)