Long An authorities and population are implementing the Provincial Party X Congress Resolution with both advantages and challenges. Nevertheless with the unity of the leadership and people, the province continues to gain new achievements in all fields. In an interview with Vietnam Business Forum, Mr Pham Van Ranh, Party Secretary and Chairman of People’s Council of the province, asserted: "With political will and participation of the people and business community, Long An will successfully attain the objectives of the province and set a firm foundation for the future.” Hoang Lam reports.
What are the achievements of the province so far in implementing 10th Congress Resolution (2015-2020) and major objectives of the province (2015-2020)?
In 2016, economic growth rate (GRDP) was 9.05 percent exceeding the plan, and 8.81 percent in the first half of 2017. GRDP per capita was VND56 million, with household poverty down to 3.57 percent. From an agricultural province, the economic structure of Long An is transforming towards industrialization and modernization. Sector 1 accounts for 21.2 percent, Sector 2 45.4 percent and Sector 3 over 33 percent.
This success has been built through the implementation of two breakthrough programs (Mobilization of resources for infrastructure of key economic zone; and hi-tech application and restructure of agriculture), as well as in three key projects (provincial road 830 Duc Hoa – Tan Tap – Can Giuoc; Tan An ring road; and urban infrastructure Tien Giang – Long An - Ho Chi Minh City). 9,254 businesses have been registered with total capital of VND 220,000 billion; over 1,400 domestic investment projects with registered capital worth over VND155,000 billion and 851 FDI projects with registered capital of over US$5.4 billion. Over 67 percent of industrial zones and nearly 90 percent of industrial centres have been occupied. Trade and service have been maintained; import-export value increased to US$4.34 billion in 2016 and US$2.1 billion in first half of 2017. Budget revenue in 2016 was VND9,197 billion (112 percent of the plan) and VND8,614 billion in the first 9 months of 2017 or nearly 75.9 percent of the year plan. Progress has been made in cultural-social field ensuring better living conditions for the population.
The 10th Party Congress Resolution of the province set forth 21 main targets in 2015-2020 with the view to attain average GRDP growth rate of 9-9.5 percent annually, per capita income of VND80-85 million a year, poor household under 3 percent. To achieve that goal, the province should successfully implement 2 programs and 3 key projects mentioned above, so as to connect with Ho Chi Minh City and industrial parks, making industry the main force for the prosperity of the province.
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As Long An is closely connected with Ho Chi Minh City, what progress has been achieved in 2016-2020?
Long An is located at the gateway between the Mekong Delta and Southern key economic region, especially Ho Chi Minh City – the biggest economic, financial and trade centre of Vietnam. With such advantage, Long An is determined to develop its potentials to attain mutual benefit with Ho Chi Minh City. Consequently, on July 16, 2016 the Agreement on socio-economic development 2016-2020 has been signed and outstanding achievements have been recorded between Long An and HCMC.
For instance, in communication, Long An and Ho Chi Minh City have agreed to connect remaining lines, develop new ones to accelerate the development growth of the region.
In trade and agriculture, the main agricultural products of Long An (vegetable, fruit, aqua-products) can have a better access to Ho Chi Minh City. Value chains of food supply have been developed. 9 economic agreements and 58 MOUs have been signed, including those with Saigon-Satra, SaigonCoop, and Vissan.
What are the main strategic breakthroughs of the province toward becoming an industrial province in 2020?
The goal of Long An is fast and stable economic development with industry as main force together with all-round and sustainable agriculture applying hi-tech to becomea rich and strong province in the southern economic region and Vietnam as a whole. To this end, Long An focussed on infrastructure for industrial development, mobilizing resources for communication networks linking to Ho Chi Minh City and Long An Port so as to attract more investments. Besides, Long An continues to focus on the 3 key projects of the province mentioned above.
Second, Long An will accelerate the hi-tech agriculture together with restructuring, focusing on three items (rice, dragon fruit and vegetables) and beef. By 2020 the province will have 4 areas of hi-tech agriculture.
Third, the province will upgrade human resources to meet the demand of industrialization and international integration.
Fourth, administration reform will be accelerated, applying IT in State management, developing administration services in the best interest of the people and businesses, improving business environment, upgrading competition index (PCI) and public administration index (PAPI).
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