Aggressive in Management and Administrative Reform

Right from the beginning of the term, Bac Giang has made spectacular breakthroughs in many fields. In 2020, its economic growth was highest in the country; its PCI ranking climbed by 13 places; and its investment inflows were among the top in the country. These laid an important foundation for Bac Giang to successfully achieve its goals set by the Resolution of the 19th Provincial Party Committee.

Adopting many synchronous solutions

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Phan The Tuan said that the effort of the Party, authorities, people and businesses have brought initial successes over the past time. Provincial leaders have strongly directed and adopted many consistent and important solutions such as:

First, change the thinking and perception of authorities of all levels and public employees responsible for settling administrative procedures on the role and importance of improving the business environment to local development and investment attraction.

To do that well, in addition to effective information and complete understanding, Bac Giang has taken more drastic solutions and actions. Agencies that overlook this are all rectified and handled in a timely manner (as long as they are reported not to improve service quality, they will be criticized and down ranked on a monthly basis).

Second, Bac Giang reviews all administrative procedures to reduce the time needed for settlement, and fires civil servants who cause troubles and harassment to enterprises. With drastic administrative reform, most procedures have changed to Level 3 and Level 4. By the end of 2021, Bac Giang will completely switch to Level 4, people can stay at home or elsewhere to do this, thus saving time and cost for businesses.

Third, creating an equal competitive environment among businesses. Bac Giang has publicized and transparently handled all information, especially about planning, land, construction, investment project list and asset auction.

Fourth, supporting businesses and investors. The province has a specific mechanism for gigantic projects and forms a working group led by the Chairperson of the Provincial People's Committee or the Director of the Industrial Zones Authority to provide direct consultation, guidance and support. Given guidance, investors will understand Vietnamese laws and related administrative procedures and prepare correct documents.

At the same time, the province promptly grasps business difficulties and problems. In 2020, in addition to the hotline, Bac Giang set up a workgroup to receive and process information about difficulties and obstacles reported by local enterprises and investors. Periodically, provincial leaders held business and investor meetings to listen to their thoughts, aspirations and suggestions. This activity is kept regularly and practically. The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee is always open to listen to any business that needs to discuss and reflect via phone or face-to-face meeting. The closeness and friendliness of provincial leaders strengthens business and investor confidence in the Bac Giang business and investment environment.

According to Vice Chairman Phan The Tuan, with persistent resolution and drastic thinking in administration and strong administrative reform, Bac Giang has obtained a lot of impressive achievements in many fields. In 2016-2020, Bac Giang made an annualized gross regional domestic product (GRDP) growth of 14%, among the highest in the country. The economic scale was expanded (double that in 2015) to rank 16th out of 63 provinces and cities. GRDP per capita in 2020 reached nearly US$3,000, equal to the national average and the target of the provincial government (rising by US$1,470 over 2015). The economic structure has changed positively, with industry and construction accounting for 57.7% (up 15.1% over 2015); services, 24.7%; and agriculture - forestry and fishery, 17.6%. Economic sectors were gradually restructured to enhance quality, efficiency and competitiveness. Key social and economic infrastructure was invested and upgraded to better meet local development requirements. In 2020, the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) of Bac Giang province advanced the most in the country (13 places) to No. 27.

Comprehensive and solid development

In the 2020-2025 term, the province is set to bring its GRDP to Top 15 by 2025. The province targets an average GRDP growth of 14 - 15% in 2021-2025; the local economic structure will be modernized; GRDP per capita will reach US$5,500-6,000 a year; and six out of nine districts will meet new rural standards.

To accomplish the above goals, in the coming time, Bac Giang will focus on implementing following specific solutions in a consistent and drastic manner:

- Strictly follow directions of the Government and the Prime Minister in realizing the dual goal of "actively preventing the epidemic, promoting social and economic development, political security, social order and safety".

- Clearly defining goals for comprehensive economic development: industry, agriculture, and services. Industry is the main driving force, agriculture is foundational, and services are conditional. The province will develop firmly and harmoniously on all three economic, environmental and social factors; not lose opportunities for the future; not trade the environment for the economy; and pay attention to rural and urban development.

- Bac Giang is the first in the country to complete the development plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050. After the plan is approved by the Prime Minister, the province will announce and publicize it while working out action plans to lay the groundwork for investment attraction.

- Strongly reforming the business environment, enhancing transparency in handling administrative procedures and accessing information; building an equal business environment, without discrimination among economic sectors; and creating connectivity between FDI enterprises and domestic enterprises.

Vice Chairman Phan The Tuan emphasized: “We place Bac Giang in the midst of regional and national development to add efforts to unlock local potential and strengths. The province advocates ‘inclusive and solid development’ in all fields of economy, culture, society, security, defense and politics.”

Source: Vietnam Business Forum