This is a good and proud signal for the efforts to improve the business investment environment (BTE) and enhance the province's competitiveness (CCE) over the past period.

Exceeded target

In 2023, VCCI will continue to conduct a survey and evaluate provincial competitiveness based on 10 component indicators (CSTP): market entry; land access; transparency; time costs; informal costs; fair competition; dynamism; business support services; labor training; legal institutions and public order and security (SOC) with 142 specific indicators.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Hung - Deputy Director of the Department of Planning and Investment (DPI) said: In 2023, Lai Chau's PCI will reach 66.48 points, ranking 35/63 provinces/cities, up 22 places compared to 2022; exceeding the target set by the Provincial People's Committee on improving the business environment and enhancing provincial competitiveness in 2023 (the province's target is 63.09 points, ranking from 50 - 55/63 provinces and cities).

Compared to 2022, of the 10 assessed CSTPs, 7 CSTPs increased in score and rank, including: market entry; time costs; informal costs; fair competition; dynamism; business support services; legal institutions and security and order. Overall, Lai Chau province increased in both score and rank, however, in terms of each CSTP, Lai Chau still had 3 CSTPs that decreased in rank (land access; transparency; labor training).

The above results were achieved thanks to the strong leadership and efforts of the entire political system in effectively implementing assigned tasks and solutions to promote administrative reform, improve the business environment, and enhance provincial competitiveness. This has created positive changes in practice, which have been recognized and highly appreciated by the business community.

Most organizations and citizens are satisfied when transacting at the Provincial Public Administration Service Center.

The province's business environment has been significantly improved. Awareness of all levels, sectors, cadres, civil servants and public employees of state administrative agencies on improving the business environment and enhancing provincial competitiveness has been raised. Many administrative procedures have been cut.
Enterprises are treated more equally when accessing business opportunities and resources necessary for production and business processes.

Informal costs continue to decrease. Anti-corruption and anti-negativity activities are effective and the business community's trust in the provincial government is strengthened. Market entry procedures are more convenient, open and transparent. The proactive pioneering spirit of the provincial government is more highly appreciated. Business support has changed positively. Efforts to promote digital transformation have brought about remarkable results. Grasping and handling shortcomings and obstacles to remove and support businesses to perform more effectively.

Many component indexes increased in rank

In 2023, out of 10 CSTPs, Lai Chau has 7 CSTPs increasing in score and ranking. Notably, the CSTP of equal competition, reaching 6.70 points, ranked 4th out of 63 provinces and cities, increased by 1.04 points and improved by 40 ranks compared to 2022. This is a strongly improved index with a remarkable increase in score and ranking. This CSTP consists of 11 indicators. Accordingly, there are 9 indicators that enterprises commented on the province's more "preferential" and "privileged" treatment of large enterprises that have been improved and these indicators have all increased in rank compared to 2022. In particular, the indicators on the level of convenience in accessing information, attraction policies, access to economic resources, etc. have become more equal.

Along with the fair competition CSTP, the informal cost CSTP also increased quite high with 7.24 points, ranking 22/63 provinces and cities (up 0.62 points, up 30 places compared to 2022, exceeding the set target). This CSTP includes 16 specific indicators, reflecting the fact that enterprises have to pay informal costs during the process of investment, production and business activities in the province in 2023. With the increase in points and high ranking, it reflects the relatively effective improvement of this index of the province.

Most indicators on the harassment of enterprises when handling procedures, the rate of enterprises having to pay unofficial fees directly to officials in areas such as inspection, environment, market, tax, business registration all decreased compared to 2022. In particular, the indicator of the rate of enterprises paying unofficial fees to market management officials decreased by 54% (down from 71% in 2022 to 17% in 2023). This result also shows that the activities to prevent and combat corruption and negativity in the province continue to be recognized and highly appreciated by enterprises.

Regarding market entry CSTP, Lai Chau province ranked 7th out of 63 provinces and cities, up 19 places. Notably, in this CSTP, Lai Chau continued to lead the country in 2 indicators: time for business registration and procedures at the "one-stop" department that are publicly listed. In particular, indicators on the rate of enterprises using online public services to carry out procedures on business registration, social insurance, declaration of labor use, etc. were significantly improved.

As the unit in charge of monitoring many CSTPs, including 2 CSTPs (market entry, fair competition) that exceeded the set targets, the Department of Planning and Investment has recently had many effective advice and solutions to improve the indexes. Mr. Nguyen Dinh Hung - Deputy Director of the Department of Planning and Investment added: The PCI index results have reflected the changes in the business environment in the province according to the perception of enterprises.

At the same time, it provides useful tools for the provincial government to formulate appropriate, flexible, and necessary policies to promptly reflect the movements in the economy and the province's reform efforts. Although both the score and ranking have increased compared to 2022, the speed of improvement in some of the province's CSTPs is still slow compared to other provinces.

Many enterprises in our province are still facing difficulties due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, lack of work, access to bank loans, and many shortcomings in legal policies (Land Law 2013, Forestry Law, etc.). To improve PCI in 2024, the province, all levels and sectors need to continue to resolutely direct and organize the implementation of tasks and solutions; thoroughly overcome indicators and indicators that have decreased or are slow to improve. Promptly detect and strictly handle acts of harassment and inconvenience when handling work related to people and enterprises, etc.

According to Thao Chi (Lai Chau Newspaper)