Strictly handle violations of fire prevention and fighting in apartment buildings.

Overview of the first quarter 2018 press conference organized by the Provincial People's Committee. Photo: Hoai Thu

Comrade Le Minh Thong - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee chaired the conference. Also attending were Comrade Cao Thi Hien - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council.

After listening to the report of the representatives of the Department of Planning and Investment and the Department of Information and Communications on the socio-economic development situation and the implementation of Decision No. 62/2013/QD-UBND on speaking, providing, publishing and processing information in the press in the first quarter of 2018, representatives of the press agencies gave their opinions and discussed many fields.

In the first quarter, the press actively reported on the province's outstanding activities such as: supporting Tet for the poor, meeting with investors; building new rural areas; food safety and hygiene, traffic safety, etc.

In addition, some representatives of press agencies also expressed concerns about the cooperation and provision of information by leaders and heads of some departments and branches; about the management and leadership in areas such as attracting investment, resolving problems and difficulties related to slow-progressing projects in the province.

In particular, some opinions suggested clarifying responsibilities and strictly handling violations of individuals and related units regarding compliance with fire prevention and fighting regulations in apartment buildings in the province, especially Vinh City.

Representatives of agencies, units, departments, and branches answered and discussed the contents raised by press representatives at the conference in the spirit of receptiveness, constructiveness, and ensuring fairness and effectiveness for the socio-economic development of the province.

In the first quarter of 2018, the Provincial People's Committee issued 24 documents assigning 17 departments, branches and localities to preside over handling 25 information reported by the press.

Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association of Nghe An province Tran Duy Ngoan speaks at the conference. Photo: Hoai Thu

Speaking at the press conference, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Minh Thong highly appreciated the role of press agencies in reflecting many socio-economic issues as well as the province's activities in recent times.

The Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee hopes that the press agencies will continue to accompany and act as an effective bridge between the government and the people, contributing positively to the socio-economic development of the province in the coming time.

Regarding the propaganda orientation in the coming time, comrade Le Minh Thong requested the press agencies to reflect the main contents such as the results of the implementation of the tasks in the first half of the term; the direction and management measures set forth by the Provincial People's Committee for 2018, investment attraction activities, agricultural, forestry and fishery production, urban beautification, traffic safety and order, promotion of tourist attractions in Nghe An; strengthening propaganda on administrative reform, especially the 7 pilot units in 2018 and some other areas.

Comrade Le Minh Thong delivered a concluding speech at the press conference. Photo: Hoai Thu

The socio-economic development results in the first quarter of 2018 had many positive results. Accordingly, the growth rate of gross regional domestic product (GRDP) increased by 7.23%, the highest since 2012.

The fields of trade, tourism, information and communication, transportation, finance and banking have developed quite well. Foreign affairs and investment promotion activities have been vibrant. By March 2018, the province had granted 23 new projects with a total registered capital of more than 4 trillion VND. Budget revenue in the first quarter was estimated at nearly 3 trillion VND, reaching 23.2% of the estimate, up 1.3% over the same period in 2017.