Quang Nam improves "Time Cost" index

Delegates present reports at the workshop. Photo: H.Quang — Removing difficulties for businesses is one of the solutions to improve the Time Cost Index. Illustration photo H.Quang

Time cost index increases

Among the component indicators of the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI), the time cost component index has a complex structure of 3 groups of indicators. These are the time cost to implement State regulations; inspection and examination (including the number of working hours with tax inspectors and the number of inspections and examinations of all types); and the indicator measuring enterprises' perception of the quality of administrative reform work.

The Time Cost Index is the perception of the enterprise on the aspect of time costs without including other costs in implementing regulations, such as monetary costs to comply with State regulations. Thus, the presence of the Time Cost Index is an important factor for investors and enterprises to consider when choosing an investment.

In 2021, according to the PCI index report published by the Vietnam Federation of Commerce and Industry, Quang Nam province scored 66.24 points, ranked 19th out of 63 provinces and cities nationwide, ranked 4th out of 12 in the Central Coast region (after Da Nang, Thua Thien Hue and Binh Dinh) and is in the group of provinces with good indexes. In particular, the Informal Cost Index scored 7.79 points (down 0.18 points compared to 2020).

In 2022, Quang Nam province achieved 66.62 points (up 0.38 points compared to 2021), ranked 22nd/63 provinces and cities (down 3 places compared to 2021), ranked 6th/14 provinces and cities in the Central Coast region (after Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, Ha Tinh, Binh Dinh), of which the Time Cost Index was 7.61 points (down 0.18 points compared to 2021). In 2023, Quang Nam province scored 67.04 points, up 0.42 points compared to 2022.

Quang Nam's PCI 2023 score increased, but it was not in the top 30 provinces and cities with the best PCI index in the country (in 2022 Quang Nam was in the top 30); in which the Time Cost Index was 8.1 points (an increase of 0.49 points compared to 2022).

This is the component index with the highest score among the 10 PCI 2023 indices of Quang Nam province. To improve the PCI index, PGI (provincial green index) of Quang Nam in 2024, according to the Provincial Inspectorate, it is necessary to synchronously implement solutions to improve the time cost component index.

Need to synchronize solutions

Accordingly, agencies performing inspection functions in the province need to develop and publicize inspection and examination plans to ensure focus, key points, and compliance with regulations, and enter them into the inspection and examination management software (integrated into the citizen reception software, complaint and denunciation management software), avoiding duplication and overlap at enterprises.

Enterprise inspections shall be conducted no more than once a year according to Directive No. 20 of the Prime Minister dated May 17, 2017 on rectifying inspection and examination activities for enterprises; for specialized inspections, gradually change the form of inspection and examination activities by each group, each individual field, to the form of coordinating inter-sectoral inspection and examination activities according to the inspection and examination including many contents and many specialized fields.

The Provincial Inspectorate effectively manages, operates and exploits the "Inspection Plan Management" software to avoid overlap and duplication in inspection and examination activities of units.

Thereby, it not only helps to improve the efficiency and quality of inspection and examination work, minimizes the inconvenience and difficulties for businesses, contributes to improving the investment and business environment, increases the PCI index, and supports business development in the province. Enterprises are requested to regularly study new regulations and guidance documents to unify awareness and properly implement legal regulations...

In order to improve the ranking of time cost indicators in 2024, according to the Provincial Inspectorate, departments, branches and localities need to continue to effectively implement the Government's resolutions and directives; accelerate the process of streamlining administrative procedures (AP), publicize and make operations transparent by enhancing connectivity and interoperability in applying information technology to resolve APs online to ensure safety, speed, and limit the need for people and businesses to have direct contact with officials and civil servants.

In particular, the heads of agencies, units and localities must directly lead and direct the effective implementation of administrative reform, resolutely handle officials and civil servants who violate the law, link the results of administrative reform implementation with emulation, rewards, planning and promotion of officials; be responsible to the Provincial People's Committee and the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee for the direction and management of administrative reform of agencies, units and localities. There must be a mechanism to eliminate and dismiss those who do not fulfill their tasks, violate discipline, and lose prestige with the people and businesses...

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