Ninh Thuan is blessed by nature with both sea and mountains and has diverse types of transportation. These strengths, along with proper motivational policies, have brought the province on par with other localities in the country and made the province a “promised land” for investors. Our reporter has an exclusive interview with Mr. Phan Tan Canh, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, on this issue.
Ninh Thuan Provincial People's Committee engages in a constructive dialogue with businesses and cooperatives to address challenges and facilitate growth
What is your perspective on the province's outstanding results and achievements in implementing the resolution of the 13th National Party Congress and the resolution of the Provincial Party Congress (the 2020 - 2025 term)?
Ninh Thuan has carried out the resolution of the 14th Provincial Party Congress (2020 - 2025 term) amid complicated and unpredictable difficulties and challenges. Fortunately, with the timely and effective attention, direction and support of the central government, along with the active determination of the entire political system, the solidarity and consensus of the people, many targets and missions have been successfully achieved.
The average GRDP growth in the three years (2021 - 2023) was 9.28% a year, higher than the average growth of the nation and the South Central Coast region. The economic scale increased rapidly, 1.5 times higher than in 2020, equal to 78.9% of the set target, thus quickly narrowing the income gap with the country (in 2020, the GRDP per capita in Ninh Thuan province was VND59.1 million, equal to 71.7% of the country, expected to reach VND88.5 million in 2023, equal to 87.4% of the country). The economic structure is shifting towards an increasing share of industry and services. Sectoral restructuring produced positive results. The agricultural sector developed comprehensively. Mining, processing, manufacturing, trade and service industries recovered and grew rapidly.
Potential advantages and breakthrough development in energy, processing industry, high-tech agriculture, marine economy and tourism were effectively promoted. Infrastructure investment was also a focus. Administrative reform and business environment were improved. Key motivating projects were accelerated.
To realize the goals set by the resolution of the Provincial Party Congress (2020 - 2025 term), what breakthrough solutions will Ninh Thuan prioritize and implement in the coming time?
To carry out the goals in the resolution of the Provincial Party Congress (2020 - 2025 term), the province will focus on six groups of breakthrough solutions. Specifically, it will implement Resolution 26-NQ/TU, promptly building plans, programs and projects to comprehensively complete the given goals and targets; speed up economic restructuring powered by in-depth growth remodeling, scientific and technological application to production; and foster innovation, digital transformation, digital economy, green and circular economy; advance towards five key sectoral clusters: renewable energy, high-quality tourism, processing, manufacturing, and high-tech agriculture; boost real estate construction and business; and speed up two development engines: urban economy and marine economy.
Ninh Thuan province will effectively deploy the Provincial Planning for the 2021 - 2030 period, with an eye to 2050; mobilize and effectively use all resources to accelerate rapid and sustainable socioeconomic development; especially develop human resources in both scale and quality; continue institutional reforms; develop and propose new policies to create breakthroughs for growth, especially investment attraction policies.
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Digital transformation is one of the goals for Ninh Thuan to realize its growth aspirations. Would you be kind enough to tell us about the province's digital transformation directions?
Over the past time, digital transformation has been a prioritized focus of Ninh Thuan province and produced positive outcomes. The Digital Transformation Index (DTI) advanced from No. 59 out of 63 provinces and cities in 2020 to No. 27 in 2022, or a jump of 32 places. Over 95% of administrative documents are processed on the network environment. 97.95% of public services are synchronized with the National Public Service Portal.
In the first nine months of 2023 alone, online applications accounted for 83.81% of the total, with guaranteed security, safety and connectivity to the national population database. E-commerce continued to be enhanced: Non-cash payment transactions were promoted for essential services; digitalization was enhanced in educational and medical activities. Local enterprises stepped up digital transformation. By the end of 2023, the digital economy was expected to account for 12% of the province's GRDP.
However, in addition to those achievements, digital transformation in the province still faces many limitations. Ninh Thuan has also actively proposed breakthrough solutions: Requesting Party committees and authorities at all levels to place people and businesses as the heart, the goals and motivations of digital transformation; building policy mechanisms and mobilizing investment resources from society for digital transformation; further enhancing the quality of online public services and increasing public satisfaction; accelerating digital applications and scientific and technological achievements in building digital platforms and creating the foundation for developing smart cities; and raising the quality of digital human resources in line with scientific and technological innovation application.
What solutions and plans has the province taken to raise the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) in the coming years?
Improving the investment and business environment is a key breakthroughs stage to attract investment fund. In recent times, Ninh Thuan's PCI rankings have advanced significantly, standing at the 30th out of 63 provinces and cities and the 8th out of 14 Central Coast provinces and cities in 2002.
In addition, investment promotion is always concentrated by launching well-prepared annual Investment promotion programs; organizing or attending talk shows and investment promotion conferences in Hanoi. Noi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City and other localities; and working with embassies, consulates general and domestic and foreign organizations and businesses.
Ninh Thuan is proud to be a leading light in investment attraction. Since the start of this administration term, the province has issued investment licenses to 46 projects with VND13,687 of investment capital. By September 2023, the province was home to 451 valid projects with VND195,875 billion of investment capital (including 35 FDI projects with VND23,687 billion). Among them, 316 projects with VND109,526 billion have been put into operation, accounting for 70% of all projects and contributing positively to growth.
In the coming time, the province pledges to persistently promote administrative reform in a drastic, consistent and effective manner, enhance the quality of a healthy, attractive, open and favorable business environment; increase business support, enhance publicity and transparency in sectoral development plans and orientations to investors, and upgrade infrastructure and build up human resource capacity to meet business needs.
Clearly, Ninh Thuan has become an attractive destination for businesses and investors not only because of the potential that has been heard and seen, but also because of differences created from transparent, right policies. The province will continue to grasp and explore potential advantages and welcome new investment waves in the future.
Thank you very much!
Source: Vietnam Business Forum
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