Determined to improve PCI index

Recently, the Vietnam Federation of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) announced the 2023 provincial competitiveness index, Lang Son province ranked 13th out of 63 provinces and cities nationwide. However, through analysis of the assessment records of the ranking, 4/10 indexes still decreased in points compared to 2022, including: transparency (-1.04 points); informal costs (-0.32 points); dynamism of the provincial government (-0.66 points); fair competition (-0.16 points).

Mr. Vu Hoang Quy, Director of the Department of Planning and Investment of Lang Son province, said that to improve these indicators, the department has advised the People's Committee of Lang Son province to organize a thematic conference to analyze and recommend a number of solutions to improve the score in 2024. Analyze grassroots reforms to strengthen the sustainable competitiveness of Lang Son province in the coming time.

At the same time, the Department of Staff of Lang Son Provincial People's Committee develops a master plan to overcome low-scoring indicators and maintain and improve the quality of recorded and evaluated indicators with good scores as shown in the PCI profile in 2023.

The "Fair Competition" component index has a lower score than in 2022, managed by the Department of Planning and Investment. The department has implemented many solutions to overcome this.

The indicators "Transparency", "Dynamicity of provincial government", and "Informal costs" were also seriously addressed by research agencies.

picture 1.jpg
The open investment environment has helped Lang Son attract nearly 1,000 new businesses since the beginning of the year. Photo: D.X

Accordingly, the office of the People's Committee of Lang Son province has coordinated with the Department of Information and Communications, the Department of Planning and Investment, and related departments and branches to focus on overcoming low-scoring component indicators such as: Improving the quality of the province's website, focusing on timely implementation of the instructions of the leaders of the Provincial People's Committee, and organizing meetings and dialogues with businesses.

From the beginning of 2024 to mid-October, departments, branches, and People's Committees of districts and cities organized 9 business meetings with a total of over 600 business owners and cooperatives attending.

At meetings and dialogues, many recommendations from businesses and cooperatives on creating clean land, investment support policies and mechanisms, and removing obstacles in land allocation procedures for project implementation were received and promptly considered and resolved by the units.

According to statistics, in the first 10 months of 2024, 255 petitions were received through conferences, dialogues, working sessions and sent directly to state agencies. 201 petitions were resolved or responded to in writing by departments, branches, and People's Committees of districts and cities, 11 petitions were reported to the People's Committee of Lang Son province for consideration and direction, and 29 petitions are being considered for resolution.

picture 2.jpg
Na Duong Industrial Park concentrates many companies, enterprises and business establishments. Photo: D.X

Mr. Ho Phi Dung, Chairman of Lang Son Province Business Association, assessed that the meetings and dialogues between enterprises and departments, branches, and People's Committees of districts and cities are very practical activities. Through the dialogues, many proposals from enterprises related to site clearance, land, and construction have been received and considered by departments, branches, and localities for effective solutions.

Along with strengthening dialogue with businesses, departments and branches proactively provide information, publicly and transparently disclose plans for socio-economic development, land, and construction on electronic news sites and at each agency and unit for businesses in need, focusing on advising the Provincial People's Committee to remove obstacles in site clearance for projects.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Lang Son province has advised the People's Committee of Lang Son province to organize 6 thematic meetings on site clearance, thereby resolving over 200 cases related to site clearance for projects.

Organized 15 meetings to unify and propose solutions to remove obstacles in land clearance for projects in the province.

Nearly 1000 new businesses established

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Thieu, Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Lang Son, said that although the land access index score has improved, it still does not meet the requirements of businesses and people.

Therefore, in 2024, the department has implemented a number of solutions such as reviewing all administrative procedures on land and environment that are still inadequate, reviewing and fully updating information on planning and land use plans on the department's website.

By mid-October 2024, the Department had advised the People's Committee of Lang Son province to promulgate 62 administrative procedures of the industry, perfecting mechanisms and policies related to the land sector on compensation and site clearance. Advised the People's Committee of Lang Son province to issue instructions on procedures for resolving difficulties and problems in site clearance when the State reclaims land in the province. Thanks to that, the province's investment and business environment continues to improve.

Business development and investment attraction have achieved high results, the number of enterprises entering and returning to the market has increased compared to the same period. The whole province has 984 newly established enterprises, reaching 164% of the plan, up to now the whole province has nearly 5,100 enterprises, with a total registered capital of nearly 59 trillion VND. New investment policies/investment certificates have been issued for 12 projects with a total investment capital of 6,112 billion VND. Investment policies/investment certificates have been adjusted for 23 projects, with an additional capital of 579 billion VND.

Pham Cong