Investment attraction is not as expected

Due to low competitive advantage, attracting investment in industries in the province is facing many difficulties; in 2023, the industrial production value will reach nearly 3,500 billion VND. **In the photo:** *Workers at Dien Bien Cement Factory produce and sell products.*

Energy is one of the potential sectors of Dien Bien province. Currently, the province has 86 energy development projects. Of which, hydropower has a clear advantage with a total of 68 projects; wind power has 13 projects; biomass power, waste power has 5 projects; 7 projects in the transmission grid system have been and are being implemented. Currently, the province has 18 hydropower projects in operation, with a total installed capacity of 263.3kw.

The implementation of energy projects is facing many difficulties. Currently, there are 18 hydropower projects under implementation and projects that have been granted investment certificates and investment policy decisions by the province are all behind schedule and have not yet started construction. 16 hydropower projects that have been granted investment project research and development policies by the province and 18 wind power, biomass power, and waste-to-energy projects are also behind schedule due to problems with procedures, planning, and site clearance.

The representative of the Power Grid Project Management Board (Northern Power Corporation) proposed that Dien Bien province promptly remove difficulties and obstacles in the Dien Bien 220kV Transformer Station project and the Son La - Dien Bien 220kV transmission line.

The two transmission projects in the province, including the Dien Bien 220kV Transformer Station Project and the Son La - Dien Bien 220kV Line, are of great significance in ensuring electricity for the province, especially in releasing the capacity of hydropower and renewable energy sources with large capacity in the province to the national power system. However, both projects still have many problems in site clearance.

In order to meet the province's Power Development Plan, ensure power supply in the dry season and at the same time contribute to exploiting and transmitting the capacity of small and medium hydropower plants in the province, the representative of the Power Grid Project Management Board (Northern Power Corporation) proposed to review and promptly remove obstacles. At the same time, put the above projects into the list of key projects of Dien Bien province to speed up the completion progress in June 2024, contributing to the socio-economic development of the province.

Regarding the tourism sector, in recent years, Dien Bien province has implemented many solutions, creating favorable conditions to attract investors to learn about, sign commitments, and invest in the area. Up to now, there have been a number of large investors coming to learn about, sign investment commitments, but due to problems with policies and land, most projects have not been or cannot be implemented.

Tourism is one of the province's strengths, but it has not yet attracted large investors to exploit it. **In the photo:** *Tourists visit the A1 Hill relic.*

For example, Sun Group Corporation signed a commitment and determined to invest in building a cable car line in Muong Phang commune, Dien Bien Phu city, but due to problems with mechanisms and land, it has not been implemented. Specifically, the 1/2,000 scale zoning plan of the Dien Bien Phu urban, service and cable car complex is built on the land studied for planning in Pa Khoang commune, Muong Phang commune (Dien Bien Phu city) and Pu Nhi commune (Dien Bien Dong district) with a total area of 318.33 hectares.

In addition, the research location is not located in the key areas of the National Tourism Development Master Plan approved by competent authorities. However, through inspection and review of the planned investment items in the Planning Project, it has an impact on the National Tourism Development Master Plan.

Currently, the construction of policies and mechanisms to attract investment in tourism development and tourism product development has not been implemented, and has not attracted large investors to participate. Meanwhile, Dien Bien province is far from major economic centers, transportation is difficult, and travel time is long.

At the same time, the connection between provinces in the region to develop tourism is still limited; tourism units and businesses in the area are mostly small in scale, limited in capital and operational capacity. Meanwhile, the investment capital from the State budget for planning, construction, development of infrastructure, tourism techniques, promotion and advertising is still very low.

Agriculture is also a strong sector of the province, but in 2023, only 4 projects were approved for investment. However, the scale and quality are not commensurate with the potential, mainly individuals. **In the photo:** *People of Bung Lao commune, Muong Ang district invest in growing fruit trees.*

According to statistics from the Department of Planning and Investment, since the beginning of the year, the province has approved investment policies for 16 projects. The projects are mainly in the fields of hydropower, trade, services, agriculture - forestry, construction materials, residential areas, with a total registered capital of more than 5,332 billion VND; granted investment registration certificates to 11 projects, with a total of 210 projects granted investment registration certificates and investment policy decisions.

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