(HBO) - Although Hoa Binh province’s provincial competitiveness index (PCI) in 2021 dropped significantly in rankings and scores, many businesses and investors believed that this challenge was also an opportunity for the provincial authorities and its departments, sectors and localities to review and evaluate weaknesses and shortcomings, and carry out drastic measures to create a breakthrough in improving the investment environment and enhancing the province's competitiveness in the coming years.
Many organisations and
individuals wish that the Provincial Public Administration Service Centre will
improve its operation quality to facilitate the settlement of administrative
procedures.
According to the provincial Business Association, over the
past time, enterprises and investors in the province have appreciated efforts
of administrations at all levels and sectors, especially the drastic direction
of the provincial Party Committee and People's Committee in bettering the
business and investment environment and facilitating enterprises’ operations.
The province has also paid attention to removing difficulties and obstacles
facing businesses and investors, especially measures to support businesses
during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the 2021 PCI ranking of Hoa Binh remains
low, which was a "shock" for not only the province but also many
businesses and investors.
The fact showed a surge in the number of investors to the
province has been causing difficulties related to land. Access to land and site
clearance are always the biggest "bottleneck" which causes the most
frustration because it takes a long time, thus leading to the loss of
investment opportunities. Therefore, businesses showed their wish that the
provincial People's Committee will pay attention to and drastically direct the
ground clearance for investment projects; take measures to monitor planned
areas and those being researched, surveyed and deployed by investors so as not
to put more pressure on businesses and investors in compensation for site
clearance.
Ha Trung Nguyen, Vice Chairman of the provincial Business
Association, said that unofficial costs are also a concerning issue. The
provincial 2021 PCI analysis report showed that the percentage of enterprises
reporting that they have to pay unofficial costs for inspectors has not
improved much compared to 2020, hitting 45 percent, making Hoa Binh rank 61st
out of 63 provinces and cities.
Therefore, he proposed the provincial People's Committee
impose sanctions to strictly handle and rotate jobs for irresponsible officials
and civil servants who cause difficulties and troubles for people and
businesses.
Nguyen also suggested conducting inspection once a year, and punish
agencies and individuals that carry out inspections without reporting and
having an annual inspection plan.
During the two days of November 14th – 15th, at the Provincial Cultural Palace, the Department of Industry and Trade organized a conference to connect the product consumption of the ethnic minorities and the mountainous areas in 2024. There was the attendance of the representatives of leaders of a number of departments, branches, businesses, manufacturers and distributors inside and outside the province.
The One Commune One Product (OCOP) programme is reshaping the rural economy of Lac Son district, helping improve living standards, particularly among the ethnic minority communities in remote areas of Lac Son district.
The Van Mai dam xanh (Bangana lemassoni) fish has long been famous for its unique and delicious flavour, earning a spot on the menus of many restaurants and attracting food connoisseurs. In recent years, residents in Van Mai commune, Mai Chau district, have expanded their fish farming areas and striven to build a strong reputation for their product. They are also working to establish it as an OCOP (One Commune, One Product) item to increase their income.
Outstanding rural industrial products of Hoa Binh province in 2024 were recently honoured and granted certificates, becoming a source of pride for producers and also a boost for local economic development. The honourees are all deeply imbued with the local cultural identity and boast considerable commercial potential, helping popularise the image of Hoa Binh to domestic and international consumers. This is also a solid stepping stone for rural industrial establishments to develop.
In the first 10 months of 2024, Hoa Binh city made significant progress in job creation and labour exports, sending 112 workers abroad through partnerships with authorised recruitment firms.
An award ceremony to announce the official certification for Mai Chau district’s Bangana lemassoni fish, a specialty of the locality because of its unique flavour, was held recently in the district.