At the meeting, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee (PPC) Mai Hung Dung said that over the past time, with the support of ODA from JICA, Binh Duong province has completed 02 projects: Improving the water environment in South Binh Duong phase 01 and phase 02, solving the problem of drainage and domestic water treatment in urban areas of Thu Dau Mot and Thuan An cities.

In order to take full advantage of regional linkages, Binh Duong has been implementing transport infrastructure projects connecting the hub of Long Thanh international airport in Dong Nai province, Cai Mep seaport in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province, expressway connecting Binh Phuoc province, etc. creating the premise for comprehensive development of Logistic and TOD (model of urban development oriented to public transport). With the above goal, the province has focused its internal resources to initially form the My Phuoc - Tan Van road connecting most industrial parks from Bau Bang district to Tan Van, the center of Binh Duong New City to the ports in Vung Tau, Ho Chi Minh City.

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Overview of the meeting in Tokyo, Japan

To facilitate smooth logistics development from industrial parks to airports and seaports; developing urban projects in Binh Duong New City and TOD projects on the My Phuoc - Tan Van route researched and developed by Tokyu Group, Binh Duong province proposed the Japanese Government and JICA to pay attention and support to arrange ODA capital and speed up the implementation of projects.

On behalf of Binh Duong province's leaders, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Van Loi highly appreciated and gratefully thanked the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for its interest and support with ODA loans for projects to improve the water environment of Binh Duong province over the past years, contributing to environmental protection, ensuring public health and meeting the requirements of sustainable development of the locality.

The Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee hoped that, on the basis of the good cooperative relationship between the two countries Vietnam - Japan as well as the close cooperation between Binh Duong province and JICA during the past time, Binh Duong will continue to receive the attention and support of JICA in accelerating the progress of transport infrastructure projects connecting airports, seaports, regional links, promoting socio-economic development of the province.

In the context that Vietnam and Japan are actively preparing to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and strategic partnership, the Party Committee and government of Binh Duong province affirmed that they will continue to consolidate and develop foreign economic activities, expand friendly cooperation with localities and partners of Japan, contributing to bringing the relationship between Vietnam and Japan to a new height.

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Leaders of Binh Duong province take a souvenir photo with leaders of JICA

Mr. Yamanaka Shinichi - member of the JICA Member Council, in charge of Southeast Asia and the Pacific, the Middle East and Europe acknowledged and supported the proposals and recommendations of Binh Duong province for traffic and urban development projects in the province. He said that JICA will coordinate with Binh Duong to organize specific working sessions to develop plans for implementing projects as soon as possible.

Reported by Editorial board​- Translated by Thanh Tam​​

​The meeting was online to 9 districts, towns and cities.

As reported by the Department of Health, in the first 6 months of 2022, the Covid-19 pandemic decreased sharply in all 3 criteria (cases, hospitalizations, deaths). The province has no more Covid-19 patients who need to be treated at hospitals.

Assessing the pandemic level in the past weeks, 91/91 communes, wards and towns are at level 1, the new normal. Over the past time, vaccination against Covid-19 has proven effective in reducing the risk of illness and death caused by Covid-19. However, people are no longer interested in vaccination, so the number of vaccines still in stock in the localities is very high. Specifically, the province still has more than 214,400 doses of vaccines of all kinds (Pfizer, Moderna and Verocell). While the vaccine supply is abundant, the vaccination rate is very low. The proportion of people aged 18 and over receiving the 3^rd dose of Covid-19 vaccine was only 76.2%, and the 4^th dose was 1.5% compared to the total population aged 18 years and over. The vaccination of 2 primary doses in children from 5 to 11 years old was also not satisfactory, the 1^st dose reached 42.4%, the 2^nd dose reached 11% compared to the total number of children available in the province.

Mr. Nguyen Loc Ha speaks at the conclusion of the meeting

Concluding the meeting, Mr. Nguyen Loc Ha - Vice Chairman of the PPC requested units and localities in the next 3 days to focus on completely injecting the remaining vaccines for the following groups: Party members, officials, civil servants, public employees, armed forces and workers in the province. The Provincial Industrial Zones Authority supports localities to enter enterprises to inject workers. The Health branch cooperates with localities to establish fixed and mobile vaccination sites at schools and offices to provide injection services to the subjects. The Vice Chairman of the PPC suggested that branches, units and localities should promote the role of vanguard, exemplary pioneer of party members, officials, civil servants, public employees and armed forces. Heads of agencies and units must take responsibility if party members, officials, civil servants, public employees and the armed forces do not vaccinate against Covid-19.

​Reported by Yen Nhi- Translated by Thanh Tam

​Receiving and working with the delegations, there were Mr. Vo Van Minh - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee (PPC) and leaders of a number of departments, committees and branches.

At the meeting, the delegation of Champasak province led by Deputy Governor Som Buttakoun congratulated the initial results achieved by Binh Duong province in the process of building a smart city and an innovative region. The model and practices of Binh Duong are valuable lessons for Champasak province in particular and other provinces and cities in Laos in general to learn and develop together. Deputy Governor Som Buttakoun wished the event to honor the Top 7 Intelligent Communities in Binh Duong will be a great success, helping the province conquer higher levels in the near future.

Chairman of the PPC Vo Van Minh receives Mr. Som Buttakoun - Deputy Governor of Champasak Province, Lao People's Democratic Republic

Grateful for the affection of Champasak province's leaders for taking the time to attend the important event of Binh Duong, Chairman of the PPC Vo Van Minh wished that the brotherhood relationship between the two localities will will become closer and closer in the coming time.

Mr. Som Buttakoun presents a souvenir to Chairman of the PPC Vo Van Minh

In the afternoon of the same day, Chairman of the PPC Vo Van Minh also received the delegation of Kratie province, Kingdom of Cambodia led by Mr. Bunserey Roth Mony - Deputy Governor of Kratie province to visit Binh Duong province's leaders on the occasion of the event to honor Top 7 Intelligent Communities of 2022.

Chairman of the PPC Vo Van Minh receives Mr. Bunserey Roth Mony - Deputy Governor of Kratie Province, Kingdom of Cambodia

Believing that the event will be a great success, Mr. Bunserey Roth Mony hoped that Binh Duong province's leaders would continue to pay much attention, support and share experiences for Kratie province in economic development and smart urban construction.

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Chairman of the PPC Vo Van Minh presents a souvenir to Mr. Bunserey Roth Mony

Talking to the delegation, Chairman of the PPC Vo Van Minh thanked the good sentiments that the Kratie provincial government had for Binh Duong; at the same time, gave preliminary information on the province's socio-economic recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic. The Chairman of the PPC believed that the friendly relationship between Vietnam and Cambodia in general, and Binh Duong and Kratie in particular, will become increasingly closer, supporting each other and expanding in many fields.

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Provincial leaders take a souvenir photo with the delegation of Champasak province

Provincial leaders take a souvenir photo with the delegation of Kratie province

​Reported by Doan Trang- Translated by Thanh Tam

Smart city is not just technology

At the program, the delegates exchanged and shared experiences on smart city development, digital transformation and innovation. Thereby helping delegates to access new knowledge and vision, grasp the general development of Binh Duong Smart City as well as other communities in the world, study and learn about the trends of the times, advanced technologies and innovations for socio-economic construction and development.

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Delegates attend the program

In his speech, Mr. Louis Zacharilla - Co-founder of the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) emphasized that smart city is not only technology, the goal of smart city has been shifted from focus on technological solutions to people and their lives. According to him, the smart city development process is not only based on advanced technology but also needs a smart management system, ensuring an integrated and compatible network between new technology factors and local characteristics. In which, management includes both technology factors and systems thinking elements, how to allocate and exploit resources.

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Mr. Louis Zacharilla - Co-founder of ICF speaks at the program

Talking more about this content, in his speech on digital transformation and innovation, Mr. Agus Argelich - President and founder of Argelich Networks, Professor of Lleida University said that technology is not the ultimate goal of digital transformation where technology is only the foundation to create welfare and prosperity for society. The Covid-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the global community and society, disrupted the global supply chain, and comprehensively affected all aspects of social life. Over the past two years, in such unprecedentedly challenging conditions, digital technology and innovation have proven to be the most important drivers of socio-economic recovery and progress. Thanks to technology, people can work from home, take online classes, shop for e-commerce, etc. Many digital services for healthcare are also developed. That confirms the ultimate purpose of digital transformation and innovation is people-centered, using technology to solve human needs.

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Mr. Agus Argelich – President and Founder of Argelich Networks, Professor of Lleida University speaks at the program

According to Mr. Agus Argelich, the construction of a smart city affects the quality of people's lives expressed through 5 factors. The first is urban design and planning: The high rate of urbanization in Vietnam and the focus on developing new cities are the premise for innovative approaches, bringing modern infrastructure and many conveniences to the people. Second, portability and accessibility: The increase of private vehicles combined with the high rate of urbanization places great pressure on roads and public transport systems; developments such as shared mobility systems, micro-mobility options create a great premise for people's lives. Next comes a healthy environment: Replacing energy production with coal fuels and fossil fuel-based transportation systems with renewables improves air quality. At the same time, smart city solutions and digitization can have a positive impact on people's important needs such as health care, security, education, etc. And finally, e-Government and public services create convenience, save time and costs, better serve people and enterprises.

To carry out digital transformation and build a smart city, according to him, Vietnam in general and Binh Duong in particular need to focus on the following factors: Leadership; openness to new things; efforts to overcome challenges; suitability and connectivity; attitude and capacity.

Digital transformation – The key to growth

The discussion session on the topic "Digital transformation - The key to growth" focused on assessing the impacts of digital transformation on socio-economic development as well as building a smart city.

According to delegates, the Covid-19 pandemic brings many difficulties and challenges, but it is also the "motivation" to accelerate the digital transformation process. When the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, the traditional and direct transaction methods could not be applied before, and the only way was to use digital technology. Strong digitization and innovation are seen as key to countries recovering from the pandemic and boosting economic growth.

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Delegates exchange the topic "Digital transformation - The key to growth"

Accordingly, digital transformation needs to be focused on 7 important areas: e-government; e-health; e-commerce; e-learning; Remote work; Industry 4.0 and Mobility.

Binh Duong has implemented the Binh Duong Smart City Project since 2016 and has always adhered to the concept of economic transformation towards innovation and digitalization. Being supported and inspired by ICF's Intelligent Community of the Year (2011) - Brainport Eindhoven (Netherlands), efforts and support from Becamex IDC Corp, Binh Duong has thoroughly applied digital transformation and innovation in specific projects, in order to build and develop Binh Duong more and more "smart", better and more livable. A digital ecosystem and innovation is being strongly developed in Binh Duong, such as: Intelligent Operation Center, EIU Campus with Becamex Business Incubator, Fablab, Advanced Manufacturing Center; World Trade Center WTC, etc. bringing a better life to Binh Duong community.

With the right strategies and firm and steady development steps of Binh Duong in recent years, Binh Duong has been in TOP 21 (Smart 21) four times in a row and entered TOP 7 for the first time in 2021, along with cities from countries such as Canada, Brazil, Australia, etc.

At the program, the delegates also listened to sharing about typical lessons from the post-industrial development model of Brainport Eindhoven (Netherlands).

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Delegates listen to sharing from ICF experts

​​Reported by Phuong Chi- Translated by Thanh Tam

The event to honor the Top 7 Intelligent Communities of 2022 is the first international event to be held in Binh Duong after the Covid-19 pandemic. The event will take place in two days June 20 and 21, 2022 at the Binh Duong Convention and Exhibition Center with the theme "Post-Pandemic Recovery, how digital innovation drives growth in our communities".

Attending the event were leaders of the Government, Ministries, Central Committees and Branches; leadership representatives of a number of provinces and cities in the country, enterprises, and universities. In addition, Binh Duong will welcome about 100 foreign guests, including leaders of ICF, leaders of some foreign countries and localities, international organizations, multinational corporations; professors, scientists and speakers from a number of research institutes and universities around the world.

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Overview of the press conference

According to Mr. Louis Zacharilla, ICF is a forum for nearly 200 prosperous smart cities in the world. ICF has conducted research and evaluated hundreds of cities around the world to select the Top 21 (Smart 21) of 2022 with smart city development strategies based on the ICF's set of 6 criteria, including: Connectivity - Broadband; Labor force; Innovation; Equal access to digital; Advocacy and Sustainability. The ICF jury continued to evaluate the specific projects of 21 communities to select the Top 7 most typical communities of the year and honored them at the event held in Binh Duong on June 21, 2022.

Binh Duong has implemented the Binh Duong Smart City Project since 2016 and always adheres to the concept of economic transformation towards innovation and digitization. Supported and inspired by the ICF Intelligent Community of the Year (2011) - Brainport Eindhoven (Netherlands), the effort and energy of Becamex IDC Corp, Binh Duong has begun an impressive journey of socio-economic development, thoroughly applying digital transformation and innovation in specific projects, in order to build and develop Binh Duong more and more modern, better and more livable. A digital and innovation ecosystem is being strongly developed in Binh Duong such as Intelligent Operation Center, EIU Campus with Becamex Business Incubator, Fablab, Advanced Manufacturing Center; World Trade Center WTC, etc. bringing a better life to Binh Duong community.

With the right strategy, firm and steady development steps of Binh Duong during the past time, Binh Duong has been in Smart 21 four times in a row and entered the Top 7 for the first time in 2021, along with cities from countries such as Canada, Brazil, Australia, etc.

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Permanent Vice Chairman of the PPC Mai Hung Dung speaks at the press conference

Mr. Mai Hung Dung emphasized, the event to honor the Top 7 Intelligent Communities of 2022 is an opportunity for organizations in Binh Duong to access new knowledge, vision, grasp the common development of Smart City of Binh Duong as well as other communities around the world, find and learn about the trends of the times, advanced technologies and innovations for socio-economic construction and development. At the same time, creating favorable opportunities for Binh Duong province, enterprises, institutes - universities to exchange and connect with the global network of Intelligent Communities, improve the ability to find new opportunities and partners, jointly develop management capacity, science and technology level, promote trade, attract investment, expand cooperation between Vietnam and the world. Thereby creating an important foundation, continuing to contribute to the Binh Duong socio-economic breakthrough program, developing the "Binh Duong Smart City Project".

Permanent Vice Chairman of the PPC highly appreciated the companionship and support of Becamex IDC Corp in the organization, coordination and implementation with ICF the contents of the event to honor the Top 7 Intelligent Communities of 2022, providing opportunities for organizations in Binh Duong to access new knowledge, vision, grasp the general developments of Smart City of Binh Duong as well as other communities around the world.

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Representatives of press agencies ask questions at the press conference

At the press conference, leaders of Binh Duong province and ICF leaders answered issues of concern to the press about the development of Binh Duong Smart City such as: Highlights for Binh Duong to be honored as Top 7 ICF in ICF's evaluation criteria, Binh Duong's difference in smart city construction, solutions to narrow the gap between rural and urban areas in the construction of Binh Duong Smart City, etc.

​Reported by Phuong Chi- Translated by Thanh Tam

​Attending were Mr. Mai Hung Dung - Member of Provincial Standing Party Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of PPC and members of the PPC. The meeting was available online to 09 districts, towns and cities.

The socio-economic situation recovers strongly and impressively

In the first 6 months of 2022, the socio-economic situation continued to achieve positive and comprehensive results in most fields. Among 34 economic - social - environmental - urban indicators; up to now, 13/34 targets have been achieved or exceeded the annual plan; 04/34 targets were low (import turnover growth rate, state budget expenditure, number of doctors per ten thousand people, number of hospital beds per ten thousand people); the rest of the targets all maintained a stable increase (over 50% of the plan has been reached, the plan is expected to be completed by the end of the year). The PPC will focus on directing and have specific solutions in each month and quarter in the last 6 months of the year to strive to complete 34/34 of the set targets. The economy gradually recovered positively month by month and quarter by quarter. GRDP growth in the first quarter was estimated to increase by 5.3%, in the second quarter, it increased by 8.35% over the same period.

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Overview of the meeting

A number of key infrastructure projects have been started, ground-breaking and implementation procedures have been promoted; budget revenue according to the estimate, budget expenditure was thrifty and efficient. The province has mobilized many resources to well implement policies and promptly implement support measures for those affected by the pandemic; enough labor for enterprises to operate stably.

People's health care was concerned; drastically and synchronously implementing many solutions to prevent and control the Covid-19 pandemic; continuing to improve the efficiency of the grassroots health system, preventive medicine and speeding up the vaccination schedule for the subjects.

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Delegates discuss at the meeting

At the meeting, the delegates focused on discussing and clarifying a number of issues such as: The situation of petroleum supply in the province; the prospect of increasing disbursement of public investment in the second half of 2022; the progress of the province's planning for the period of 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050; plans for land allocation and zoning in parallel with the formulation of a 5-year land use plan (2021 - 2025); forecast response to complicated developments of natural disasters and support people affected by natural disasters; accelerating the implementation of social security packages associated with pandemic prevention and control; traffic congestion, flooding on some key roads.

Economic growth is expected to be over 8% in 2022

According to the assessment of the PPC, the province's economy - society is recovering strongly and impressively. This is an important foundation for successfully implementing 100% of the planned targets in 2022, with an expected economic growth rate of over 8% this year. In order to successfully implement the goals and tasks of socio-economic development, national defense and security in 2022; the PPC required all levels and branches to make greater efforts and determination in directing, operating, supporting production and business, taking advantage of time to accelerate the process of socio-economic recovery and development. In which, focusing on the main tasks: Reviewing and removing barriers and obstacles hindering production and business activities, clearing bottlenecks in mobilizing and using resources in the economy. Researching and developing a number of specific mechanisms and policies on: Attracting labor resources, investment capital, industrial and urban development, selective investment attraction criteria in the province.

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Economic growth is expected to be over 8% this year

At the same time, closely monitoring the market and commodity prices to have timely solutions to balance and stabilize (especially electricity and petroleum prices). Focusing on analyzing and evaluating limitations and weaknesses in the disbursement of public investment capital, reviewing and resolutely transferring capital from slow disbursement projects to well disbursed projects with insufficient capital to ensure 100% plan disbursement guarantee. Taking care of people's lives, especially policies to support those affected by the pandemic. Formulating the master development project of the health branch in the province to 2030 and the project on ensuring human resources for the Health branch in the 2021 – 2025 period; urgently putting the 1,500-bed general hospital into operation; preventing and controlling Covid-19 pandemic, dengue fever, hand, foot and mouth; vaccinating 3^rd, 4^th dose and children from 5-11 years old. Continuing to promote the program of digital transformation, application of information technology in social management, population management and the fields of health, education, security and order. Promoting administrative procedure reform. Actively attacking and suppressing crimes, stabilizing political security, worker security, and rural security.

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Mr. Vo Van Minh speaks at the conclusion of the meeting

Concluding the meeting, Mr. Vo Van Minh requested that, in the last 6 months of 2022, local departments, branches and localities focus on planning administration; handle the backlog of urban development, minimize recurrent expenditure, prioritize resources for development investment, generate revenue from the land fund; pay attention to education to prevent students from dropping out of school because of difficult circumstances; early implement digital transformation projects in enterprises; drastically implement solutions to achieve 100% of the plan for disbursement of public investment capital; complete the district-level public administrative service center; step up the prevention and control of Covid-19 pandemic and dengue fever; prepare facilities and human resources for the new school year, etc.

The Chairman of the PPC requested all levels and branches to make greater efforts and determination in directing, operating and supporting production and business activities, take advantage of time to accelerate the process of socio-economic recovery and development, successfully realize the goals and tasks of socio-economic development, national defense and security in 2022.

​​Reported by Yen Nhi- Translated by Thanh Tam

Also attending were leaders of ministries, committees, branches and leaders of a number of economic groups, trade associations and 4,500 workers and employees (W&E) at the main bridge point of Bac Giang province, 63 bridge points of provinces, cities and Vietnam General Confederation of Labor (VGCL).

At Binh Duong bridge point, there were Mr. Nguyen Loc Ha - Member of Provincial Standing Party Committee, Vice Chairman of PPC; leaders of departments, branches and W&E of enterprises in the province.

Many issues are expressed by W&E

The program is a forum for union members and W&E to meet, express their thoughts, aspirations, recommendations, and propose issues related to employment and life with the head of the Government; the Prime Minister listened, understood, directed to resolve the issues raised and conveyed messages to employees nationwide.

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Delegates attend at Binh Duong bridge point

Mr. Ngo Duy Hieu - Vice Chairman of the VGCL said that through the synthesis, the questions, recommendations and proposals focused mainly around 10 major groups of issues sent to the Prime Minister. Specifically, on increasing the regional minimum salary, towards a living salary, with accumulation for employees and a new salary policy in the spirit of Resolution no. 27-NQ/TW dated May 21, 2018 of the 12^th Party Central Committee on reforming salary policy for officials, civil servants, public employees, armed forces and employees in enterprises. The comprehensive review and amendment of the law on social insurance (SI), ensures the rights of W&E, limits the situation of W&E withdrawing one-time SI, resulting in workers not having a pension in the future. It is necessary to focus on directing and removing difficulties and obstacles, urging the settlement of regimes, policies and support packages for W&E.

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Mr. Nguyen Loc Ha - Member of Provincial Standing Party Committee, Vice Chairman of PPC chairs at Binh Duong bridge point

The issue of planning, setting aside land fund and removing mechanisms and policies to deploy the construction of houses, kindergartens, schools, medical examination and treatment places, cultural activities places for W&E, especially in industrial parks and export processing zones. Policies to support credit for W&E, help workers access legal capital to solve difficulties, limit the situation of W&E caught in the "black credit" trap.  Vocational training; policies to encourage and create conditions for W&E to participate in learning to improve their professional qualifications and skills to adapt to the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Strengthening inspection, investigation, supervision, and strictly handling violations of the law by employers towards workers. Ensuring food safety and hygiene, especially at collective kitchens, markets for daily life, ensuring W&E have access to safe and suitable food sources. Strengthening measures to ensure security and order at the workplace and residence of W&E; ensure traffic order and safety in industrial parks at peak hours. Prices of boarding houses, electricity, and domestic water are pushed up by a part of boarding house owners; the increase in the price of textbooks; the problem that workers' children have difficulty accessing public schools in the area due to lack of permanent residence; the urgency to form market places near industrial parks and near enterprises with a large number of workers, etc.

Continuing to take better care of the W&E's needs

At the program, representatives of relevant ministries and branches answered questions posed by W&E. In which, there are many issues of special interest to the public: Primary and preventive health care will be invested in resources of 14,000 billion VND to strengthen capacity. The whole country currently has 55 million employees, more than 20 million employees have signed contracts, but only approximately 16 million people participate in SI. The one-time withdrawal of SI causes consequences for employees when they retire. Regarding the solution, Minister of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung said that the first thing is to improve the welfare and life of W&E. Regarding the amendment of the Law on SI, the Ministry has completed dossiers and procedures with 11 groups of insurance policies, especially the gradual adjustment of the retirement age has been completed and submitted to the National Assembly in 2023. Specifically, gradually reducing the time of SI payment to be eligible for pension from 20 years to 15 years, then maybe 10 years to ensure benefits for employees, avoiding the situation that 20 years of SI payment is too long, but the spirit of "pay more, enjoy more; pay less, enjoy less; pay short, enjoy short".

Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Van Sinh informed that at the dialogue, the whole country has invested 7.3 million m2 of social housing, in which, housing for workers has implemented about 122 projects with a scale of about 2.5 million m2 housing for workers, however, it only meets about 40% of the housing demand for workers in the country. Regarding the housing support policy to implement the National Assembly Resolution as well as the post-pandemic socio-economic recovery and development program, Minister Dao Ngoc Dung said that currently, there are two policies being supported: loans and housing support. The Minister said that at present, there are only 2 provinces that do not have beneficiaries of support, namely Dien Bien and Lai Chau, the remaining 61 provinces and cities have finished collecting this list of subjects, the expected number of people according to the aggregate is about 3. 4 million people supported, etc.

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Binh Duong W&E attend the dialogue program

Concluding the dialogue program, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that the Party, State and political system, including the Government and the VGCL, receive, listen to opinions, gather issues to focus, review institutions, mechanisms and policies, quickly supplement, amend and complete, and at the same time pay attention to thoughts and aspirations of employees, including W&E.

The Prime Minister asked the ministries, committees and branches to frankly learn from what has not been done to do better, meet the aspirations and wishes of workers in terms of life and jobs, improve their qualifications, and contribute more to the revolutionary cause of the Party, State and people.

The Prime Minister asked functional agencies and law enforcement agencies to continue to do their best in crime prevention and control, and to maintain social order and safety to ensure "security, safety and people's peace." At the same time, localities need to promote what they have done, quickly overcome limitations, coordinate with ministries, agencies, and the VGCL to contribute to handling the legitimate aspirations, needs and interests of workers.

​Reported by Yen Nhi- Translated by Thanh Tam

​At the meeting, Permanent Vice Chairman of the PPC Mai Hung Dung informed the outstanding features of Binh Duong's socio-economic situation and investment attraction. He said, up to now, the province has 403 investment projects from 24 countries and territories of Europe with a total registered capital of more than 6.77 billion USD, of which the British Virgin (British Virgin Islands) is the leader with 178 projects with a total investment capital of 2.42 billion USD.

Over the years, besides proactively implementing economic activities and promoting investment attraction, Binh Duong has always actively expanded friendly cooperation with localities and foreign partners. Specifically, the province has signed cooperation agreements with 10 foreign localities, including 04 provinces and cities of European countries, including: Emilia-Romagna region (Italy), East Flanders province (Belgium), Eindhoven and Emmen cities (Netherlands), Oryol province (Russia). In 2021, in the face of complicated developments of the Covid-19 pandemic, the province has actively implemented many flexible external programs and activities, suitable to the actual situation of the locality; actively coordinated to organize conferences and work online with localities, diplomatic missions, international organizations and partners from Europe. In particular, Lego and Pandora Groups of Denmark have invested more than 1 billion USD to build factories in Vietnam - Singapore III Industrial Park.

Permanent Vice Chairman of the PPC Mai Hung Dung (right cover) receives Mr. Pier Giorgio Aliberti - Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Vietnam

With the appropriate development orientation and its own efforts, Binh Duong province has achieved some very encouraging results and is the first locality of Vietnam to officially become a member of the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF). Continuously for 4 years 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, Binh Duong has been honored by ICF as one of 21 cities with typical smart city development strategies of the world – SMART 21.

Permanent Vice Chairman of the PPC said that in the next 10 years, Binh Duong will continue to attract foreign investment but prioritize green industries and high-tech fields; use renewable energy and be environmentally friendly. He wished that the Ambassador would share and introduce many European enterprises to learn about the investment environment in the province; at the same time, the province is committed to creating the most favorable conditions for investors.

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Permanent Vice Chairman of the PPC Mai Hung Dung presents a souvenir to Mr. Pier Giorgio Aliberti

Thanking for the warm welcome of Binh Duong province's leaders, Ambassador Pier Giorgio Aliberti expressed his impression of Binh Duong's rapid development over the years. He said that the EU's priorities in upcoming cooperation include improving energy efficiency, increasing the use of renewable energy, developing a green economy, and green growth.

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Delegates take a souvenir photo

Through specific information from provincial leaders, he affirmed that these are important contents that open up many potential cooperation opportunities between the EU and Binh Duong in the coming time, and are also in line with the EU's development priorities in the future. In his position, he continues to be a bridge to build and connect cooperation between the EU and Vietnam in general, and Binh Duong in particular, more and more firmly. The EU will always accompany Binh Duong in the development process, through specific and practical projects in the coming time.

​​Reported by Doan Trang- Translated by Thanh Tam

The event was organized with the theme of "Post-Pandemic Recovery, how digital innovation drives growth in our communities". The English name is "Post-Pandemic Recovery, how digital innovation drives growth in our communities".

The event takes place in two days June 20 and 21, 2022 at Binh Duong Exhibition and Convention Center (BECC), Thu Dau Mot city, Binh Duong province.

It is expected that there will be 100 domestic guests (leaders of the Government, leaders of ministries, central branches and leader representatives of some provinces, cities, enterprises, communities, etc.; 100 foreign guests (ICF leaders, leaders of some foreign countries and localities, international organizations, multinational corporations; professors, speakers of a number of research institutes and universities around the world); 200 internal guests of the province (leaders of the Provincial Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, Provincial Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front; leaders of departments, committees, branches, mass organizations, localities and enterprises in Binh Duong province, institutes - universities, colleges, etc.).

The event to honor Top7 Intelligent Communities of 2022 is an important international event, with the goal of bringing international quality and ensuring content for the local organization. The event is expected to include the following main programs: Gala dinner, which is a party to honor the Top7 Intelligent Communities of 2022; conference program with guests being senior leaders of the Government, ministries, branches of the host country and invited countries; events on the sidelines of the green and sustainable living exhibition; program to visit Binh Duong's works and projects, serving Binh Duong community and developing Smart City.

The Steering Committee has the task of directing, guiding and urging relevant branches and units to organize activities of the event to honor the Top7 Intelligent Communities of 2022 in order to achieve the goals, requirements and contents of the proposed plan. The Executive Committee directs the development of the Master Plan of the event; assigns tasks to the planning units and approves the detailed plan for organizing activities. The Head of the Executive Committee will assign specific tasks to each member and decide to establish sub-committees to serve the Executive Committee.

​Reported by Doan Trang- Translated by Thanh Tam

​Attending were Mr. Nguyen Van Loi - Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Provincial Delegation of the National Assembly Deputies; Mr. Nguyen Hoang Thao - Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Mr. Vo Van Minh - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the PPC; Ms. Nguyen Minh Thuy - Member of Provincial Standing Party Committee, Head of Provincial Party Committee's Organization Committee.

The conference announced the decisions of the Provincial Party Committee and the PPC to assign 01 comrade; mobilize and allocate 03 comrades; mobilize, appoint and re-appoint 12 comrades; and hand over the retirement decision to 1 comrade. The decisions take effect from June 01, 2022.

Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Van Loi (left cover), Chairman of the PPC Vo Van Minh (right cover) hands over the decision and presents flowers to Mr. Nguyen Hoang Thao – Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee cum Rector of the Provincial School of Politics

 Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Van Loi (middle), Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Hoang Thao (4^th from left), Chairman of the PPC Vo Van Minh (4^th from right) hand over the decisions and present flowers to the allocated, mobilized and appointed comrades

Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Van Loi (middle), Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Hoang Thao (5^th from right), Chairman of the PPC Vo Van Minh (5^th from left) hand over decisions and flowers to the mobilized, appointed, and re-appointed comrades

Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Van Loi (2^nd from left), Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Hoang Thao (right cover), Chairman of the PPC Vo Van Minh (left cover) hand over the retirement decision and present flowers to Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Nhung - Vice President of the Provincial Farmers' Union

​Speaking at the conference, on behalf of the provincial leaders, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Van Loi acknowledged and thanked the retired comrades' contributions during the past time, and wished them good health in their retirement, continuing to give suggestions to the next generation of Provincial Farmers' Union officials. As for the comrades who are assigned, allocated, mobilized, appointed and re-appointed, the Secretary wished that the comrades will continue to promote their professional capacity; collective solidarity to successfully complete the assigned tasks.

Immediately after handing over the decision, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Van Loi, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Hoang Thao, Chairman of the PPC Vo Van Minh, and Vice Chairman of the PPC attended the decision handover ceremony at the units and localities to assign and master the tasks for leaders of agencies, units and localities with new personnel.

Speaking to assign tasks to the collective of Dau Tieng District Standing Party Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Van Loi said that in the past 5 years, comrade Nguyen Chi Trung has brought into full play his capacity and forte, always completing his assigned tasks. Comrade Nguyen Chi Trung, together with the Executive Committee and Standing Committee of the District Party Committee, promoted the tradition of solidarity, the spirit of dynamism and creativity, leading the political system, the people of all classes and the enterprise community to build the growing district. In particular, during the recent Covid-19 pandemic, comrade Nguyen Chi Trung successfully led the pandemic prevention and control, well performed social security and restored production and business.

Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Van Loi said that the Provincial Standing Party Committee wishes and believes that comrade Nguyen Chi Trung will continue to promote his capacity, forte and work experience, together with the leaders of the Provincial Party Committee's Organizing Committee to successfully complete the tasks in the coming time.

Speaking to congratulate Comrade Mai Ba Truoc on receiving the new task, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Van Loi said that comrade Mai Ba Truoc is a well-trained, capable, qualified, politically strong-willed official who has worked in many positions at the Department of Planning and Investment. During his work, he always successfully completed the assigned tasks, together with the leadership team, well performed the function of state management in the field of planning and investment, contributing to advising the Provincial Party Committee, the PPC to lead and direct the construction of the growing province.

As Secretary of Dau Tieng District Party Committee, the Provincial Standing Party Committee wished that comrade Mai Ba Truc would continue to promote his capacity and work experience, together with the Executive Committee, the Standing Committee of the District Party Committee to promote the tradition of solidarity, dynamism and creativity, strive to overcome difficulties, lead the successful implementation of the goals and tasks set out by the Resolution of the 5^th District Party Congress, 2020-2025 tenure, bringing Dau Tieng district to new development steps. 

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Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Van Loi hands over the decision of the Provincial Standing Party Committee on personnel work and presents flowers to congratulate 02 comrades in their new positions

At the Office of the Provincial Party Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Van Loi handed over the decision to appoint the position of Chief Officer of the Provincial Party Committee to Mr. Pham Van Hien. The Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee wished that comrade Pham Van Hien will bring into full play his capacity to successfully complete the assigned tasks.

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Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Van Loi (left cover) congratulates comrade Pham Van Hien on his appointment as Chief Officer of the Provincial Party Committee

Speaking to assign tasks to the Standing Committee of the Tan Uyen Town Party Committee, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Hoang Thao congratulated Mr. Bui Minh Tri on being selected to hold the leadership position in Tan Uyen Town; at the same time, wished that comrade Bui Minh Tri and the Town Standing Party Committee would lead Tan Uyen Town to develop in all aspects in the coming time.

Leaders of the Provincial Party Committee hand over the decision and present flowers to congratulate comrade Bui Minh Tri

The Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Hoang Thao suggested that, with the new role and responsibilities, Mr. Bui Minh Tri should study the regulations of the Executive Committee, the functions and duties of the Secretary, the Town Standing Party Committee in order to well perform the tasks; well implement the principle of democratic centralism; quickly access the fields, closely with the departments, branches, mass organizations and grassroots for comprehensive local leadership. The Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee also suggested that the Standing Party Committee, Standing Committee and the Executive Committee of the Tan Uyen Town Party Committee always unite and create conditions for comrade Bui Minh Tri to successfully complete the task.

Speaking to direct and assign tasks to the Standing Committee of Ben Cat Town Party Committee, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the PPC Vo Van Minh believed that the assigned and allocated comrades would complete the newly assigned tasks well.  

Chairman of the PPC Vo Van Minh wished Mr. Bui Duy Hien to continue promoting his youth to fulfill his duties as Chief Inspector of the province; and hoped that comrade Bui Minh Thanh would join the Standing Committee and the Executive Committee of the Town Party Committee to successfully complete the assigned tasks.

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Leaders of the Provincial Party Committee hand over the decision and present flowers to comrades Bui Duy Hien and Bui Minh Thanh. Photo: Xuan Thi

Attending the announcement ceremony of Decision to mobilize and appoint the Director of the Department of Planning and Investment, Mr. Vo Van Minh - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the PPC congratulated Mr. Mai Ba Truoc on receiving the decision on mobilization to Dau Tieng District Party Committee and believed that he would continue to promote his capacity, forte and experience together with the District Standing Party Committee to lead and direct Dau Tieng district to develop stronger and stronger. The Chairman of the PPC also wished that the Board of Directors and all civil servants of the Department of Planning and Investment promote the spirit of solidarity, support and create favorable conditions for Mr. Pham Trong Nhan - the new Director of the Department to successfully complete the tasks assigned by the Party, State and people.

Chairman of the PPC Vo Van Minh present flowers to congratulate Mr. Mai Ba Truoc and take a souvenir photo with officials and civil servant of Department of Planning and Investment

Speaking to assign the tasks at the Provincial Industrial Zones Authority, Mr. Vo Van Minh acknowledged Mr. Bui Minh Tri's contributions to the Provincial Industrial Zones Authority as well as the construction and development of Binh Duong province; wished him good health and excellent completion of the assigned tasks at the Tan Uyen Town Party Committee. The Chairman of the PPC wished that the collective of the Provincial Industrial Zones Authority continue to agree and unite to achieve many important achievements to contribute to the common development of Binh Duong province.

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​Chairman of the PPC Vo Van Minh presents flowers to congratulate Mr. Bui Minh Tri and Mr. Nguyen Thanh Nhan

Speaking to assign Mr. Cao Van Chong to hold the position of Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism from June 01, 2022, Vice Chairman of the PPC Nguyen Loc Ha hoped that with the experience and qualifications he has accumulated over the years, Mr. Cao Van Chong will continue to make efforts, unite and stick with the collective of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, making many contributions to bringing the Culture, Sports and Tourism branch to a stronger development.

On the morning of the same day, the PPC also assigned Mr. Nguyen Thanh Thuan - Head of Traffic Infrastructure Management and Traffic Safety Division to hold the position of Deputy Director of the Department of Transport from June 01, 2022.

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Vice Chairman of the PPC Nguyen Loc Ha presents flowers to congratulate Mr. Cao Van Chong

Speaking at the conference, Vice Chairman of the PPC Nguyen Loc Ha highly appreciated the efforts, try as well as the positive contributions of Mr. Nguyen Thanh Thuan during his work at the Department of Transport over the past time; at the same time, he suggested that the Department's Board of Directors continue to pay attention to and assign tasks in accordance with the qualifications and capabilities of the appointed comrade in order to continue to make efforts, unite and stick with the collective of the Department of Transport, make many active contributions to bring the transportation branch to meet the requirements of socio-economic development of the locality in the current period.

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 Vice Chairman of the PPC Nguyen Loc Ha presents flowers to congratulate Mr. Nguyen Thanh Thuan

Speaking at the Ceremony to implement the Decision to appoint Chief Inspector, Deputy Chief Inspector of the province, Mr. Mai Hung Dung - Member of Provincial Standing Party Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the PPC congratulated and wished that the two newly appointed comrades would continue to promote political ethics, professional capacity, well fulfill assigned tasks, build a strong and united collective to help the PPC do the state management of inspection, settlement of complaints and denunciations, and anti-corruption, etc.

Mr. Mai Hung Dung - Member of Provincial Standing Party Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of PPC presents flowers to congratulate Mr. Bui Duy Hien and Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tai

Reported by Mai Xuan - Phuong Chi - Yen Nhi - Doan Trang - Quoc Chien- Translated by Thanh Tam​

​At the meeting, Mr. Mizushima Kozo briefly introduced the Association's activities. In 2021, despite being affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, enterprises still maintained operations. Currently, the Association has attracted 1,038 participating enterprises. Japanese Business Association in Ho Chi Minh City ranked third in terms of number of members and scale of operations among more than 100 Japanese business associations operating abroad.

Up to now, when the pandemic situation of Vietnam in general and Binh Duong is under control, many Japanese enterprises are interested in exploring investment opportunities in Vietnam. He believed that in the coming time, the number of enterprises investing in Binh Duong as well as in Vietnam will increase rapidly.

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Vice Chairman of the PPC Nguyen Loc Ha receives the Japanese Business Association in Ho Chi Minh City

Mr. Mizushima Kozo thanked the Binh Duong provincial government for creating all favorable conditions as well as accompanying Japanese enterprises to overcome difficulties during the complicated development of the Covid-19 pandemic. On this occasion, he suggested that the province continue to support and accompany Japanese enterprises. Specifically, maintaining dialogue between the government and enterprises, organizing customs training for Japanese enterprises after the pandemic has been controlled.

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Vice Chairman of the PPC Nguyen Loc Ha presents gifts to the Japanese Business Association in Ho Chi Minh City

In 2023, the 50^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan, Mr. Mizushima Kozo hoped that in the coming time, the provincial government will have many activities to further tighten the friendship relationship between the two countries as well as between Binh Duong province and the Association not only in the economic field but also in the fields of culture, sports and tourism, etc.

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Provincial leaders take a souvenir photo with the Japanese Business Association in Ho Chi Minh City

Speaking at the meeting, Vice Chairman of the PPC Nguyen Loc Ha said that after the Covid-19 pandemic was controlled, the province's socio-economic growth has been constantly growing; Binh Duong is one of the provinces and cities with the leading economic growth in the country, attracting foreign investment in the first 5 months of 2022, rising to the top of the country. In the coming time, Binh Duong will continue to improve the business investment environment and urban planning to attract foreign enterprises to invest in the province. Regarding the recommendations of the Association's President, Mr. Nguyen Loc Ha said that this is a necessary activity and Binh Duong will restart activities to strengthen and build close relationships between the provincial government and Japanese enterprises. At the same time, the province will also develop a plan to organize activities to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan under the direction of the Government as well as local conditions. In the coming time, he suggested the relevant departments and branches to consider and promptly resolve the recommendations, quickly removing difficulties for Japanese enterprises.

​Reported by Yen Nhi- Translated by Thanh Tam

At the meeting, Vice Chairman of the PPC Nguyen Loc Ha gave an overview of Binh Duong's socio-economic development and investment attraction. He affirmed, with an open and attractive investment environment, in recent years, Binh Duong has always been one of the leading provinces and cities nationwide in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). Binh Duong is currently ranked 2^nd in the country in attracting FDI, just behind Ho Chi Minh City. Accumulated to May 15, 2022, the province has 4,047 investment projects from 65 countries and territories with a total registered capital of 39.5 billion USD.

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Vice Chairman of the PPC Nguyen Loc Ha receives Mr. Stuart Gibson - Co-Founder and Chairman of ESR Group

Talking with provincial leaders, Mr. Stuart Gibson said that ESR Group specializes in managing real estate assets, the largest in the Asia-Pacific region and supporting new economic sectors with total assets under management of 140 billion USD. ESR Group is the third largest listed real estate investment manager globally, located in 28 countries and territories, including China, Japan, Korea, Australia, Singapore, India, New Zealand and Southeast Asia, Europe and the United States; in which, 95% of the Group's GDP is from the Asia-Pacific region. New economic real estate is the main growth driver, 80% of the Group's new lease contracts are in the e-commerce industry. ESR Group is building a strategy to expand data centers in Asia - Pacific and solar power projects.

With many years of experience in operating and developing in the Asian market along with investment potential in Vietnam in general and Binh Duong in particular, Mr. Stuart Gibson believes that the Group will continue to achieve many successes.

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Vice Chairman of PPC Nguyen Loc Ha presents a souvenir to the leader representative of ESR Group

Vice Chairman of the PPC Nguyen Loc Ha highly appreciated the potential of ESR Group. In the coming time, Binh Duong prioritizes attracting investment in high-tech, environment-friendly, less labor-intensive industries and fields, creating high added value; supporting industries, high-tech agriculture and especially attracting investment in the Science and Technology Industrial Park on the basis of industry 4.0. At the same time, diversifying to attract foreign investment from potential markets and partners, focusing on the world's leading developed countries, transnational corporations holding advanced technology and modern management level. The Vice Chairman of the PPC hoped that ESR Group will soon invest and operate in Binh Duong.

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Delegates take a souvenir photo

​Reported by Doan Trang- Translated by Thanh Tam

This is an important trade-investment event of ASEAN, organized for the first time after the Covid-19 pandemic, with the attendance of Victorian Government Trade Minister Martin Pakula and many Australian enterprises. Mr. Vo Van Minh - Chairman of Binh Duong Provincial People's Committee (PPC) led the provincial delegation to attend the event.

On this occasion, the Vietnamese Embassy in Australia also coordinated with the Binh Duong PPC and the Victorian government to organize the Vietnam Investment Forum on May 24, attracting the attendance of many Australian enterprises.

Speaking at the Forum, Chairman of Binh Duong PPC Vo Van Minh introduced the strengths of the province, especially in traffic, infrastructure, industrial park system and smart city. Notably, over the past 20 years, the province has always focused on developing industrial parks and now has more than 10 world-class industrial parks, attracting many large corporations in the world to open production and business facilities here. In the first 4 months of 2022 alone, the province has attracted 2.3 billion USD in foreign direct investment (FDI), ranking second after Ho Chi Minh City. Besides, Binh Duong has also established bilateral cooperation relations with 11 foreign provinces and cities and is an official member of international organizations, including the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF), the Asian Economic Cooperation Forum (Horasis) and the World Trade Center Association (WTCA).

Also at the Forum, Chairman of Binh Duong PPC Vo Van Minh and Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Nguyen Tat Thanh answered many questions from Australian enterprises about priorities and policies of Vietnam in general and of Binh Duong province in particular, especially related to the ability to support small and medium enterprises.

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Chairman of the PPC Vo Van Minh speaks at the Vietnam Investment Forum

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Becamex IDC introduces Binh Duong's investment environment at Vietnam Investment Forum

On May 25, the delegation met and worked with the Board of Directors of Commercial & General Company. On the afternoon of May 25, the delegation visited and worked with Detmold Group in Adelaide City. On May 26, the Delegation held a seminar on investment promotion in Adelaide City.

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The delegation visits Detmold Group in Adelaide City

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Signing of Memorandum of Understanding between Becamex IDC Corp and Commercial & General Group

On the morning of May 26, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony took place between Becamex IDC Corp and Commercial & General Group to explore cooperation opportunities between the two sides in the fields of investment, economic cooperation, healthcare projects, commercial development, integrated zones and industrial parks.

Tomorrow morning (May 27), the delegation continued to hold a conference on investment promotion in Sydney City.

Previously, on May 23, Ambassador Nguyen Tat Thanh and Chairman Vo Van Minh attended the ASEAN-Australia Business Forum in Melbourne, Victoria.

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Ambassadors, Chargé d'affaires and representatives of ASEAN Embassies at the ASEAN-Australia Business Forum

The ASEAN-Australia Business Forum is held as ASEAN and Australia continue to strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership. ASEAN is currently Australia's second largest trading partner with bilateral turnover reaching 113.7 billion AUD (more than 80 billion USD) in 2019-2020; investment from the two sides reached over 259 billion AUD in 2019 and over 242 billion AUD in 2020

In recent years, Australia has been a top destination for students from ASEAN countries, while ASEAN has become one of the important links in the global value chain, including Australia.

On this occasion, Ambassador Nguyen Tat Thanh also worked with Victorian Minister of Agriculture Mary Anne Thomas and attended the Pioneer Enterprise Roundtable organized by the Australia-Vietnam Policy Institute.

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Ambassador Nguyen Tat Thanh (left cover) speaks at the ASEAN-Australia Business Forum. Photo: Vietnamese Embassy in Australia

Speaking at the Forum, Victorian Trade Minister Martin Pakula welcomed the event and emphasized that ASEAN is right on the "doorstep" of Australia, an important export market of Victoria (reaching 3.4 billion AUD in 2020), of which the largest markets are: including Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand. Minister Pakula affirmed that ASEAN brings opportunities for Australian enterprises, especially in the food, software, service industries, etc.; committed to further expand trade and investment relations with ASEAN, including Vietnam.

Speaking at the forum, Ambassador Nguyen Tat Thanh highly appreciated Australia's continued diversification of markets, affirming that ASEAN is always ready to support Australian enterprises in implementing new initiatives and cooperation activities after the pandemic. The Ambassador Nguyen Tat Thanh suggested that Australia should increase investment in Southeast Asia, abolish visas for ASEAN countries and increase activities to demonstrate corporate social responsibility as well as humanitarian cooperation with the region.

​Reported by Ngoc Thanh- Translated by Thanh Tam

​The Resolution identifies promoting digital transformation with the pillars of digital government, digital economy, digital citizenship and digital society in order to change the overall and comprehensive management and administration activities of the Government to be effective, efficient and transparent; change production and business activities of enterprises, promote innovation, increase labor productivity, create growth motivation; change the way people live and work, narrow the development gap; key sectors and fields implementing digital transformation towards optimization and intelligence, contributing to the realization of the goal of "Binh Duong sustainable development towards a smart, civilized and modern urban area" as set out by the Resolution of the 11^th Provincial Party Congress, 2020 - 2025 tenure.

Specific goals for digital government development by 2025: 100% of work records at provincial, district and commune levels will be processed in the network environment (except for work records that are classified as state secrets); direction and administration of leaders at all levels supported by data-based intelligent tools; 100% of Party and mass organizations will connect processes, data, and work records from provincial to commune levels; at least 50% of inspection activities by state management agencies will be carried out through the digital environment and information systems of the management agency; 100% of officials, party members, civil servants and public employees annually receive training in digital transformation and digital skills; 80% of administrative procedures will be completely digitalized in handling and operational processes; on average, 20% of the volume of administrative procedures will be implemented digital transformation each year. Before 2023, setting up intelligent operation centers in the province and in towns and cities; the remaining districts will do this before 2024.

Digital economy development accounts for 20% of GRDP; the proportion of the digital economy in each sector or field shall reach at least 10%; the proportion of e-commerce in total retail sales reaches 10%; the rate of enterprises using e-contracts reaches over 80%; the rate of small and medium enterprises using digital platforms is over 50%; the rate of non-cash transactions in e-commerce services reaches 50% or more. Focusing on digital transformation in high-quality service industries, high-tech agriculture, and logistics to meet the requirements of industrial and urban development towards civilization and modernity.

Regarding the development of digital society, the rate of adult population with smartphones reaches 80%; the rate of the population aged 15 and over who have a payment transaction account at a bank or other authorized organization reaches 80%; fiber optic broadband internet infrastructure, 5G covers over 95% of households, 100% of communes, wards and towns; the rate of people of working age who are trained in basic digital skills is over 70%.

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Binh Duong Intelligent Operation Center (IOC)

To achieve the set goals, the Resolution identifies 10 groups of tasks and solutions, in which focus is on strengthening the leadership and direction of the Party committees and authorities in digital transformation and building digital government; promoting propaganda, raising awareness about digital transformation; building and perfecting mechanisms and policies, cooperating to promote digital transformation; developing human resources; investing in the development of digital infrastructure to meet the requirements of digital transformation; developing data, applying a shared digital platform and ensuring information safety and security, etc. Prioritizing the digital transformation of fields: Urban planning and management; Industrial production; natural resources and environment; transportation and logistics; agriculture; healthcare; education; culture and tourism.

The Resolution assigns Party committees at all levels to direct the propagation and mastery of the Resolution, to develop programs and plans to implement the Resolution in accordance with the actual situation and conditions of localities and units. Establishing a Steering Committee for Digital Transformation at all levels headed by heads of authorities at all levels.

The Party Committee of the Provincial People's Council leads the institutionalization of the Resolution, formulating mechanisms and policies; prioritizes the allocation of funds to perform digital transformation tasks within the expenditure tasks of the state budget according to the roadmap.

The Party civil affairs committee of PPC leads the PPC in formulating and implementing the Digital Transformation Program in the province and projects, programs and plans to participate in the Fourth Industrial Revolution; directs the review and proposal to the Central Committee and the Provincial People's Council to promulgate mechanisms and policies for controlled testing of new products, models, business, and digital content; gives priority to allocating sufficient resources and annual funding to perform the tasks stated in the Resolution.

​Reported by Phuong Chi- Translated by Thanh Tam

Determining a sustainable direction

In the 2017-2020 period, Binh Duong has restructured the cropping industry in the direction of developing models of urban agriculture and HTA; developing specialized areas for rubber trees, specialty fruit trees, and safe vegetables, associated with processing and consumption along the value chain; promoting the application of high-yield and high-quality varieties.

Up to now, the total area of hi-tech application in cultivation in the whole province has reached about 5,763.5 ha, the area of urban agriculture is about 172.2 ha with valuable crops such as vegetables, mushrooms, fruit trees, orchids, ornamental plants, etc.

The whole province currently has 04 HTA zones including: Tien Hung HTA zone (Bac Tan Uyen district); HTA zone in Tan Hiep and Phuoc Sang communes (Phu Giao district); HTA zone  in Vinh Tan ward (Tan Uyen town) and An Thai HTA zone (Phu Giao district).

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High-quality products from the "One Commune One Product" (OCOP) Program are supplied to the market to promote rural economic development

Besides, Binh Duong implements many preferential policies to attract and encourage the development of HTA enterprises and HTA zones. At the same time, orienting the selection of startup models in agriculture towards sustainability based on the foundation of science and technology application, promoting consulting services, supporting product branding, applying safe production processes (VietGAP), high productivity. The province has about 80 production facilities that have been granted production certificates according to VietGAP procedures in the field of cultivation with a total area of about 500ha. Thereby, the average value of agricultural production reached nearly 100 million VND/ha/year; some models of pomelo growing with high technology have an average income of over 1 billion VND/ha.

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Products of An Thai HTA zone (Unifarm) are always of high quality, present in domestic and international markets

The province's livestock sector still maintains stable development; the structure of the livestock industry has been strongly transformed from household-scale farming to farm-scale farming, applying high technology associated with processing industry and environmental protection  (currently, livestock with high technology in Binh Duong province accounts for about 60-70%). It can be said that the livestock industry of Binh Duong province has fully met the demand for animal meat and animal products for the local market; partially supply for the Southeast region's consumption market and is likely to aim for export. Currently, Binh Duong province is one of the localities with high results in the construction of animal disease-free (DF) zones for export purposes. The Department of Animal Health has recognized 10 district-level DF zones in the province. There are 47 commune-level DF facilities and 185 livestock farms that are DF-accredited; 19 pig farms have been recognized as animal DF facilities for African swine fever.

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High-tech poultry farming area invested by Ba Huan Co., Ltd in Tan Uyen town

High-tech chicken raising model in Tan Hiep commune, Phu Giao district of Emivest Company

Assessing the HTA development, Mr. Vo Van Minh - Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee (PPC) said: Besides focusing on developing modern and advanced industry and services; Binh Duong province has always been interested in formulating specific guidelines and solutions to develop the province's agricultural sector in the direction of HTA. With the strong application of achievements of modern technology and science to improve productivity and product quality; up to now, the agricultural sector of the province has made steady development steps, making practical contributions to the development of Binh Duong in particular and Vietnam's agriculture in general. By actively implementing synchronous mechanisms and policies to support investment in science and technology development in enterprises, creating a premise for innovation, entrepreneurship and synchronous development of agriculture - farmers and rural areas; in particular, with the promotion of advantages of the Triple Helix (03 agencies) model: State - University - Enterprise, the province's agricultural sector has gradually shaped and developed in a more modern and sustainable direction".

Many solutions to promote the HTA development

Binh Duong has set a target that by 2025, the production value of agriculture, forestry and fishery will increase by 2.5 - 3% per year; the proportion of HTA production value accounts for over 30%; the area of land for growing agricultural products certified to meet GAP standards accounts for 20%. The key solution and focus of the province is to promote HTA production, step by step build organic agriculture; increase added value for agricultural products, increase competitiveness in the market, international integration, towards sustainable agricultural development.

Related to these issues, at the recent Seminar "Science, technology and innovation: The resilience of high-tech agriculture in Binh Duong province", the delegates had more in-depth assessments and analysis in many aspects to contribute to the orientation of the HTA industry of Binh Duong to continue to make breakthroughs in the coming time.

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Binh Duong has set a target that by 2025, the proportion of HTA production value will account for over 30%

In the presentation "Binh Duong HTA: Current situation and development orientation" of Assoc. Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Lan - University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University (VNU) Ho Chi Minh City pointed out the difficulties and challenges facing the province's Agriculture branch: The province's rapid growth has pushed the cost of agricultural resources to increase rapidly, especially labor costs and land costs, which have always remained high. Meanwhile, there are still many households with land that give up the farming crop, wasting resources or waiting for opportunities to convert agricultural land to non-agricultural land, so they do not invest methodically and properly in terms of capital, labor, and technology for agricultural production. Along with that, the problem of environmental pollution caused by industrial activities and urban life also significantly affects the quality of cultivation and farming in the locality. The production organization, linking 4 agencies (State - Enterprise - Farmer - Scientist) has achieved certain achievements but still not commensurate with the potential in terms of capital, science and technology, and the province's consumption market. Attracting enterprises to participate in preliminary processing and processing of agricultural products is a limitation in building production, processing and consuming products in the province.

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Assoc. Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Lan - University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University (VNU) Ho Chi Minh City presents at the Seminar

Based on the goal of developing in-depth and increasing the HTA value, the presentation also proposes a number of important development orientations for the industry such as combining HTA with the circular economy (CE) with the important goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and environmental pollution; integrating the value chain in HTA so that the production process has close linkages between stakeholders and comprehensively applies high technology; exploiting the function of "visiting, convalescence, health care models of HTA in the form of HTA tourism, healthcare tourism.

Participating in the discussion at the Seminar, Mr. Nguyen Hong Quan - Director of the Institute for Circular Economy Development, VNU Ho Chi Minh City said that, in order to develop CE models to support HTA, agriculture, eco-tourism agriculture, convalescence, urban development, it is necessary to focus on 08 groups of solutions. Specifically, the NTA development in combination with the development of urban areas, eco-tourism and resorts should be included in the socio-economic development planning project of Binh Duong province in the coming period. Promoting the application of science and technology, especially technologies for processing and preserving clean agricultural products, creating products of high economic value, and at the same time effectively using agricultural by-products. Supporting the development of start-up enterprises with new, high-quality agricultural products that meet domestic and international standards. Improving capacity, promoting the role of cooperatives connecting farmers of different sizes to attract the attention and investment of large enterprises, building and developing a sustainable agricultural ecosystem. Promoting the development of the role of technology 4.0, digital transformation in monitoring and forecasting of environmental resources, sharing by-products (waste), human resources, traceability, transportation, production and consumption connectivity. Integrating CE into local and national programs and plans to attract and promote different resources (such as new rural program, organic agriculture, ecotourism, green consumption, renewable energy, climate change adaptation, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions). Promoting the development of economic models to support the CE such as the digital economy to minimize and optimize costs, connect and expand markets. The final solution is to connect road and waterway traffic; models of providing tourism, education and health services.

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Mr. Mai Huu Tin - Chairman of U&I Group presents at the Seminar

After more than 12 years of operation, Unifarm has greened the entire area of An Thai Hi-tech Agricultural Park with crops of high economic value, suitable market and replicable for farmers, typically, the model of growing cantaloupe in the Israeli technology greenhouse is automatically controlled by computer according to Global GAP standards for a revenue of more than 2 billion VND/ha/year, or the model of growing unripe bananas for export to Korea and Japan, with a revenue of 500 million VND/ha/year. Sharing experiences at the Seminar, Mr. Mai Huu Tin - Chairman of U&I Group said: "Unifarm's initial successes came from 04 breakthrough solutions: Identifying the right product for the market demand; orienting international quality; building suitable human resources for HTA; selecting appropriate technology and techniques".

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Unifarm's model of growing cantaloupe with GlobalGAP standards

At the seminar, the delegates also focused on discussing the continuous improvement of policies on science, technology and innovation; the role of science and technology in HTA of Binh Duong province; building the enterprise's science and technology fund, promoting the application of science and technology, creating new resilience for business; the role of microorganisms in agriculture for life and sharing the success of the Vinamit Organic farm; researching and transferring science and technology on HTA at VNU Ho Chi Minh City, etc.

Appreciating the solutions of experts, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Van Loi emphasized that the problem of HTA infrastructure must be suitable for Vietnamese people and conditions for each farmer, organization, and farm to invest in bringing benefits. According to him, industrial parks should be established by regions to preserve, process and bring agricultural products to the world. It is also a place for scientific researchers to research and contribute to science and the Agriculture branch. He asked the provincial functional branches to train and connect with enterprises, practical training institutes for farmers in high-tech production areas; spend resources on training HTA.

​Reported by Yen Nhi-Translated by Thanh Tam​