Son La is gradually integrating with APEC.

Proud to be a province of Vietnam - a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum, Son La province has been taking advantage of the great opportunities that APEC brings to Vietnam to aim for the goal of "striving to make Son La province a growth pole, an important nucleus of the Northern Midlands and Mountains region by 2030".

Chairman of the People's Committee of Son La province, Hoang Quoc Khanh.

As a mountainous province located 300 km from Hanoi , it shares a 274.065 km border with two provinces of the Lao People's Democratic Republic: Hua Phan and Luang Prabang; its natural area is 14,109.83 ^km² , its population is over 1.3 million people, comprising 12 ethnic groups, 11 districts and 1 provincial city.

Son La province has a cool climate, fertile land, and diverse natural and cultural features suitable for developing a rich and high-quality agricultural and forestry production system, as well as attractive eco-tourism and cultural tourism. In particular, Moc Chau plateau, at an altitude of 1,050m above sea level, received the double award for "Leading Nature Destination in Asia and Vietnam" in 2023, marking the second consecutive time it has been honored by the WTA in both categories.

In addition, the Son La hydroelectric reservoir area boasts a landscape often described as "Ha Long Bay in the mountains"; other areas offer beautiful natural scenery and a cool climate (average 18 ^° C ​​- 21 ^° C), such as Ta Xua - Bac Yen, Co Ma - Thuan Chau, Ngoc Chien - Muong La... These are also tourist destinations with significant development potential.

Four key objectives

APEC has had a strong impact, helping Son La province achieve many important socio-economic achievements and is now aiming for even greater goals. Specifically:

Firstly, the goal is to make tourism a truly key and leading economic sector, creating momentum to promote the development of other industries and fields, based primarily on the development of the Moc Chau National Tourist Area, linked to the Son La - Hoa Binh expressway project and the tourism and trade route between Son La province and Hua Phan province in particular, and the northern provinces of Laos in general, through the Long Sap (Moc Chau) - Pa Hang (Hua Phan, Laos) international border gate, extending towards Thailand and Myanmar. This is based on preserving and promoting cultural values ​​deeply rooted in national identity, with a focus on developing strong cultural tourism products that highlight the unique characteristics of Son La - Northwest Vietnam tourism.

Secondly, we need to develop smart agriculture that applies high technology, strictly implement the process of assigning planting area codes, ensuring traceability, and guaranteeing that products meet food safety and hygiene standards for domestic consumption and export.

Son La is the second largest fruit-growing area in the country, with an area of ​​over 83,000 hectares (producing over 450,000 tons) . The province currently has 583 agricultural cooperatives participating in linkages, forming commodity chains from production to processing and consumption. Economic groups, companies, and businesses, both domestic and foreign, have invested in building many agricultural processing plants with modern technology (the province has 17 plants and 543 processing facilities) , producing many branded products for the international market.

To date, the province has exported and introduced 17 agricultural products to markets in 21 countries and territories, including markets such as the US, Australia, and European countries. Notably, two products have been protected in Europe and Thailand. The value of goods exported in 2023 is estimated at 185.6 million USD.

A view of Son La. (Source: Ethnic Minorities and Development Newspaper)

Thirdly, improving infrastructure. We are determined to complete key projects: the plan to transform Moc Chau district into a town by 2025; the Moc Chau National Tourist Area project; the Long Sap (Moc Chau) - Pa Hang (Hua Phan, Laos) international border gate; the Hoa Binh - Hanoi regional connecting road project; and the Son La expressway project, which are expected to strongly boost socio-economic development and trade between Son La and the delta provinces, Hanoi, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, and towards Thailand and Myanmar.

Fourth, strengthen state management in all fields to maximize potential and strengths; mobilize all resources to develop modern infrastructure; promote administrative reform; combat corruption; build a government apparatus, political system, and civil servant workforce that serves the people, while simultaneously exploiting resources efficiently; focus on environmental protection; adapt to climate change; prevent and mitigate natural disasters and epidemics; preserve and promote the valuable national culture of Son La province and the Northwest region; ensure social security; maintain national defense and security; and build a peaceful and prosperous Vietnam-Laos border.

Efforts to integrate

To overcome challenges and confidently integrate with APEC economies, Son La province is determined to: maintain and promote growth; strongly reform administrative procedures; boost trade, investment, and export promotion; strengthen economic and technical cooperation; implement effective national programs; promote APEC awareness throughout the political system to enhance knowledge of international economic integration, trade, investment, and market economy; and learn from the successes of APEC members to apply them more effectively to the practical situation in Son La province.

At the same time, the province aims to attract and effectively utilize capital sources such as FDI, ODA, and NGOs; and to perfect the market economy institutions in accordance with the Party's guidelines: Laws and Resolutions of the National Assembly; and Directives and Resolutions of the Government. Son La province continues to implement Directives, Resolutions, Action Programs, and Plans for socio-economic development.

Furthermore, it is necessary to strengthen the role of state management over the local economy according to market laws, international practices, principles, and standards; to guide and support people and businesses through strong reforms, ensuring that the markets for labor, finance, currency, consumer goods and services, and science and technology operate according to market laws, fairly, and transparently, minimizing trade and service barriers, and helping goods and services to be competitive in the market.

With its achievements and vibrant energy, APEC will undoubtedly remain the most important region, possessing the most dynamic and promising economy in the world. Given APEC's importance and future development, Son La province aspires to and is striving to integrate and make significant contributions to APEC's common goals, while also placing high expectations on the messages from the APEC Summit 2023.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/son-la-tung-buoc-hoi-nhap-cung-apec-250240.html