Speaking at the event, Nguyen Chi Dung, member of the Party Central Committee and Minister of Planning and Investment, said the Hoa Binh Provincial Planning Project shows a new mindset and vision that matches the national socio-economic development strategy for 2021 - 2030, and will open up new development chances and shape new values for the province during the period.

The planning project focuses on five development breakthroughs: preserving and bringing into play cultural values of ethnic groups, especially the Muong ethnic group and the Hoa Binh Civilisation; stepping up institutional and administrative reforms, improving the provincial competitiveness; developing and perfecting the infrastructure system, especially road transport infrastructure; boosting digital transformation and the building of digital administration, digital economy and digital society associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution; and attracting and developing high-quality human resources for local industrialisation and modernisation. Among them, the two key targets are developing infrastructure and human resources.

In terms of development space, Hoa Binh plans to boost socio-economic development along two corridors: the East - West Economic Corridor (with National Highway 6 and CT.03) and the Eastern Economic Corridor (with Ho Chi Minh and CT.02 highways)

In his remarks, Nguyen Phi Long, alternate member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the provincial Party Committee, said Hoa Binh is fully aware of the planning project’s critical importance to its development. The planning project was built to realise the socio-economic development vision, viewpoint and targets, and also contribute to national defence and security safeguarding. It is also in conformity with the national planning project as well as the one for the northern midland and mountainous region.

Experts and officials from ministries and sectors gave opinions on the planning project of Hoa Binh. Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Nguyen Phi Long also pointed out the problems and obstacles needing to be addressed in the time ahead, adding that the province will work closely with ministries and sectors to create mechanisms for facilitating local development.

Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Quoc Phuong stressed that planning is a difficult and complex task critically important to local development. The planning must fully assess and tap into the province’s potential, strengths, and advantages.

On behalf of the appraisal council, he asked the provincial People’s Committee to order the planning agency to seriously take in opinions and perfect the dossier on the Provincial Planning Project.

At the meeting, the appraisal council agreed to approve the Hoa Binh Provincial Planning Project and the report on the strategic environmental assessment of the planning project. This is the basis for Hoa Binh to perfect the dossier and submit it to the Prime Minister for approval./.