Steady growth
According to information from the People's Committee of Thanh Hoa province, in the first 9 months of 2023, the local socio-economic situation developed stably, basically achieving the goals set out in the plan at the beginning of the year.
Accordingly, the local economy continues to develop steadily, with the growth rate of the total provincial product (GRDP) in the first 9 months of 2023 estimated at 7.72%, among the top and much higher than the national average growth rate of 4.24%.
In particular, some industries with strong development such as agriculture, forestry and fishery production have had quite comprehensive development. According to records, after 9 months, the whole province has planted more than 390 thousand hectares, the total food output is estimated at 1.57 million tons, converting 2,458.9 hectares of low-economic-efficient rice land to grow other crops with higher economic efficiency; the output of fresh meat for slaughter is estimated at more than 216 thousand tons; newly planted 8,850 hectares of concentrated forests, no forest fires occurred; the output of exploitation and aquaculture is estimated at 160,287 tons. The total output of fresh meat for slaughter increased by 5.5%, the output of aquatic products increased by 3.8% over the same period.
Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Plant.
Despite many difficult fluctuations in the world and domestic economy, industrial production activities in the province continued to develop steadily. The index of industrial production (IIP) increased by 5.54%, with 18/25 major industrial products having output increasing or equivalent to the same period. Of which, some products increased sharply such as electricity production (up 75.4%), oil and lubricants (up 68.7%), animal feed (up 16.1%), paper and cardboard of all kinds (up 13.8%), benzene (up 13%)...
Regarding trade and service activities, Thanh Hoa province continued to record strong growth in the first 9 months of the year with retail sales of goods and some service sectors estimated at 127,332 billion VND, up 14.2%, export value estimated at 3,773 million USD, import value estimated at 5,737 million USD. Notably, the total number of tourists is estimated at nearly 12 million, up 12.4% and revenue increased by 18.9%; passenger transport activities increased, meeting the travel and freight transport needs for production and consumption of the people with the result of freight transport increasing by 14.8%, passenger transport increasing by 38.6%, and transport revenue increasing by 27.9%.
Regarding social work, the province has had 13 more communes meeting new rural standards (NTM), 24 communes meeting advanced NTM standards, 5 communes meeting model NTM standards and 104 products ranked as OCOP of the province. Natural disaster prevention and control work has been carried out seriously. Localities have focused on reviewing, developing plans, preparing forces, means, equipment, and necessities on the spot to proactively and readily respond to situations that arise; speeding up the implementation of irrigation projects, responding to climate change, and putting them into use soon.
Statue of King Le Thai To in the center of Thanh Hoa city.
The work of planning and approval has also seen many positive changes. In February 2023, on behalf of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha signed Decision No. 153/QD-TTg approving the Planning of Thanh Hoa province for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2045. With this Decision, Thanh Hoa became the 4th province in the country to have its Provincial Planning approved. State management of construction investment and construction quality management has been focused on; focusing on removing difficulties and obstacles regarding construction materials and filling materials in project implementation; construction price indexes are announced periodically every month, serving as a basis for agencies, organizations and individuals to establish and manage construction investment costs.
Regarding investment, the total investment capital implemented in the province is estimated at 103,190 billion VND. As of September 15, there were 2,030 newly registered enterprises, ranking first in the North Central provinces and 8th in the country, with registered charter capital reaching 12,782 billion VND, average registered capital of 6.3 billion VND/enterprise; 721 enterprises re-entered the market, 967 enterprises temporarily suspended operations.
Falling out of the "50,000 billion club"
According to the report, in the first 9 months of 2023, the total state budget revenue in Thanh Hoa province is estimated at VND 28,728 billion, a sharp decrease of 27% compared to the same period last year. Although recording a sharp decrease in budget revenue in the area, this is a development that Thanh Hoa province had anticipated since the beginning of the year when it forecast a sharp decrease in domestic revenue from real estate and revenue from oil import and export activities from Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Plant when the crude oil price level is forecast to decrease. With this result, Thanh Hoa will almost certainly be out of the group of provinces and cities with budget revenue of over VND 50,000 billion after 1 year of joining at the end of 2023.
However, with good forecasting, after the first 9 months of the year, budget revenue indicators in Thanh Hoa province all recorded positive results compared to the estimate at the beginning of the year. Specifically, domestic revenue is estimated at 17,638 billion VND, equal to 81% of the estimate, revenue from import-export activities is estimated at 11,090 billion VND, equal to 82% of the estimate. The province mobilized development investment capital is estimated at 103,190 billion VND, equal to 73.7% of the plan, up 0.9% over the same period last year.
Nghi Son seaport, Thanh Hoa.
Notably, in addition to the decline in state budget revenue, Thanh Hoa province also recorded modest results from attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). After the first 9 months of the year, Thanh Hoa attracted a mere 187 million USD in registered investment capital. This is a very modest figure when compared to the 1.272 billion USD attracted by its "neighbor" Nghe An after the first 9 months of the year, which shows the slowdown in investment attraction activities of Thanh Hoa province, especially important capital sources such as FDI in recent years.
In addition, in planning and planning management, the progress of preparation, appraisal and submission for approval of adjustments to the Land Use Plan for the period 2021-2030 and the 2023 land use plan at the district level, the 5-year Land Use Plan (2021-2025) of Thanh Hoa province is slow and does not meet requirements. The quality of construction planning projects has been improved but is still limited, especially commune construction planning. There are still many shortcomings in the management of construction planning order, and illegal and unlicensed construction still occurs. Next, the operations of a number of enterprises in Thanh Hoa province are still facing difficulties, the number of enterprises re-entering the market decreased by 30.3%; the number of enterprises announcing dissolution increased by 57.3%, the number of newly established enterprises decreased by 20% compared to the same period.
In the face of the above achievements and limitations, in order to perform well the work in the coming time, in the 9-month/2023 conference, Mr. Do Minh Tuan, Chairman of Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee, requested all levels and sectors to focus on removing difficulties, obstacles, and institutional "bottlenecks" in production and business for people and enterprises. Along with that, it is necessary to promote public investment activities with high spirit, determination, and new thinking to successfully complete the set plans.
Scene of the regular meeting of Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee.
At the same time, functional units and branches continue to resolutely direct the recovery of projects that are behind schedule and violate investment regulations. Resolutely invest in infrastructure in industrial parks and industrial clusters. Focus on completing projects and programs serving socio-economic development goals to submit to the Standing Committee of Thanh Hoa Provincial Party Committee for consideration and approval. According to the plan, from now until the end of the year, it is necessary to basically complete zoning plans, detailed plans, especially functional zoning plans, detailed plans in Nghi Son Economic Zone to promote investment attraction.
Regarding the socio-economic development orientation in 2024, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Do Minh Tuan noted that the set goals and targets must be consistent with local realities and close to forecasts of the situation in the face of difficulties and challenges.
Viet Phuong
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