7:46:35 AM | 21/9/2011
In the15 years since its re-establishment, Binh Phuoc province has recorded significant achievements: stable economic development, better living conditions for the people, secured national security and defence. Nevertheless, the province still faces several difficulties and challenges. With its tradition of dynamism and creativity, Binh Phuoc is mobilizing the resources of the entire population to ensure the success of the Renovation (Doi Moi). Vietnam Business Forum interviewed Mr Truong Tan Thieu, Chairman of Binh Phuoc People’s Committee. Thanh Tra reports.
What is the driving force that helps the province overcome the challenges it faced in the past 15 years since its re-establishment?
Binh Phuoc has indeed recorded important developments since its re-establishment. GDP has increased 6.57 times in 14 years. The living conditions of the people have been improved with per capita income up by 8.6 times compared to 1997. The economic restructuring is on the right track. The industry-construction sector increased from 2.89 percent in 1997 to 24.13 percent in 2010; service sector up from 24.06 to 24.13 percent in 2010, while agriculture-forestry-aquaculture down from 72.05 to 47.11 percent in the same period.
International economic integration and cooperation continue with important successes. Export markets expand to over 50 countries and territories (compared to 17 in 1997). FDI increased from one project with registered capital of US$20.5 million in 1997 to 81 projects by December 31, 2010. The companies of the province have also invested three projects in foreign countries. The province encourages the development of all economic sectors. In 1997, the province had only 176 enterprises with registered capital of VND35 billion, by December 31, 2010, there are 2,848 enterprises with registered capital of VND19,657 billion, increases of 16.2 times in enterprises and 262 times in capital.
Progress has also been recorded in culture, education and social welfare. Budgets for education and health care increase year after year with more schools and dispensaries expanded. Cultural activities, telecommunications and sports have been diversified and upgraded, improving the living conditions of the people. Poverty reduction has been successfully carried out, with household poverty reduced to 4 percent in 2010.
Though difficulties in Binh Phuoc remain, it has created new strength and a role in the Southern key economic region as well as in East Southern provinces and nation-wide. With its success story in the past 15 years, Binh Phuoc now has great opportunity for economic development. The province has improved investment efficiency, land use and the investment environment. With comparative advantages due to economic development of neighbouring provinces and industrial zones, and favourable land clearance, Binh Phuoc can attract investments of high socio-economic efficiency to industrial zones and centres.
Certain challenges do remain, such as weak staff, unqualified businesses, poor efficiency and competitiveness. The impact of the unstable macro-economy will decrease investments, economic growth and living conditions of the people. Therefore, in the coming years, the province must overcome difficulties and challenges to become an industrialized and modernized province by 2020.
Could you elaborate further on the 2011-2020 plan for human resources development?
The IX Party Congress of the province 2010-2015 has set forth three key programmes of socio-economic development, including “training cadres and human resources development.”
Accordingly, the province is implementing the human resource development programme 2011-2020, with high priority for rural areas, peasants and ethnic minorities. The programme includes analysis on typical conditions of human resources and socio-economic development of the province, and orientation for human resources development in 2011-2020. On such basis, the province will develop and implement solutions for human resources development.
What are the solutions to restrain inflation, stabilize the economy and ensure social welfare in the province?
To attain those goals in 2011, the province has developed five solution packages: Strict implementation of Government Resolution 11 including reducing public investment and saving State budget; promotion of production and export; saving energy; ensuring social welfare; and increasing public education. Those solution packages will be in compliance with those of the central government and suitable for local conditions.
The province has asked all related authorities to implement those solution packages and successes have been recorded in the first nine months of 2011, saving VND39,923 million, reducing 32 public investment projects worth VND 68,813 million, supporting 14,453 poor households with VND1,734 million in electricity charge.
How do key projects of the central government help the province and local people?
During the past years, Binh Phuoc has benefited from programmes of the central government such as Programmes 134, 135, 160, 168, 190, 33, clean water and environment protection, poverty reduction and job creation. Those programmes are most suitable and helpful for the province and local people, especially ethnic minorities.
The programmes and investments in recent years have upgraded infrastructure, even in remote areas, improving trade and social welfare, supplying power and water, ensuring schooling for children and health care for the local people, thus reducing the gap between regions in the province.
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