At the meeting, the leader of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DOFA) reported the preparation to organize Meet Korea 2024 in Binh Duong.

Accordingly, Meet Korea is a chain of events organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in coordination with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Viet Nam since 2015 to exchange and propose proposals to promote trade – investment, culture - tourism, development cooperation and many other fields between domestic localities, businesses, and South Korean partners.

In the spirit of unity between senior leaders of Viet Nam and South Korea, MOFA coordinated with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Viet Nam and the Binh Duong PPC to organize Meet Korea 2024 in Binh Duong province.

The event would contribute to strengthening economic diplomacy activities, widely promoting the image of Binh Duong province, and attracting foreign direct investment capital. It would also tighten the relationship between Binh Duong province and South Korean localities and partners, thereby contributing to promoting the extensive strategic partnership between the two countries. At the same time, it would contribute to promoting diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and South Korea.​​

Overview of the meeting.

The event takes place from May 16 to May 17, 2024, at the Binh Duong Convention & Exhibition Center and other neighboring locations, with about 570 Vietnamese and South Korean delegates.

The programs of Meet Korea 2024 include the plenary "Meet Korea 2024", the Opening ceremony of Viet Nam - Korea Products Fair, a Meeting between the Korean Ambassador and Consul General with Vietnamese localities (G2G), and Connecting governments and businesses of the two countries (G2B, B2B).

Representatives of departments and branches speak at the meeting.

Through the opinions of departments and branches, Mr. Mai Hung Dung – Standing Vice Chairman of the PPC requested DOFA to coordinate with relevant departments and branches to implement the preparation for each session. At the same time, DOFA also needs to urgently review and complete detailed plans, then assign specific responsibilities to individuals and units so that they can thoughtfully and thoroughly prepare and serve as a basis for reasonable funding allocation, avoiding duplication.

The Standing Vice Chairman of the PPC emphasized that the organization requires synchronous, close, and effective coordination between agencies and units so that the event can take place solemnly, practically, effectively, and economically; ensure security and safety; leave a good impression of Binh Duong for localities and South Korean partners.

​The conference was attended by Mr. Nguyen Van Nen – Member of the Politburo, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, and representatives of departments, branches, and localities in the Southeast region.

Leaders of provinces and cities attended the conference

On the side of Binh Duong province, there were Mr. Nguyen Van Loi – Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation; Mr. Vo Van Minh – Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee (PPC); representatives of provincial departments and branches.

Building the Southeast region with modern and synchronous infrastructure

The conference announced the Southeast Regional Plan for the term 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050.

Accordingly, the scope of planning boundaries includes the entire administrative boundary of Ho Chi Minh City and 5 provinces, i.e., Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Phuoc, and Tay Ninh.

The planning goal is that by 2030, the Southeast region will become a civilized, modern, industrial-developed region, surpassing the threshold of high income, material and spiritual life of the leading people nationwide; will be the largest growth-driving area in the country, developing dynamically and with a high growth rate; Science, technology, and innovation centers, high-tech industries, logistics, and international financial centers will be highly competitive in the region.

Overview of the conference

Regarding the economy, the region is striving for the average GRDP growth rate from 2021 to 2030 to reach about 8-9% per year. GRDP per capita at current prices is about 380 - 420 million VND, equivalent to 14,500 - 16,000 USD.

The proportion of service sector accounts for about 41-42% of GRDP; industry and construction are 45-46% (in particular, processing and manufacturing industry are about 33%); agriculture, forestry, and fishery account for 2-3%; Product tax minus subsidies account for 10 - 11%.

Socially, the Human Development Index (HDI) is above 0.8. The proportion of trained workers with certificates reaches about 40-45%; the unemployment rate remains below 3%, and so on.

The growth rate of GRDP in the term 2031-2050 will reach about 7.5%/year, and GRDP/person by 2050 will reach about 54,000 USD.

The Southeast will accelerate regional economic restructuring in association with renovating growth models, creating breakthroughs to improve productivity based on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. It will develop a number of modern industries and services to become new growth engines such as the semiconductor industry, chip manufacturing, financial services (associated with the formation of an international financial center), and logistics.

It will also form a synchronous, modern, and smart infrastructure framework, focusing on transport, urban, energy, digital, social, and irrigation infrastructure, preventing and controlling natural disasters, and adapting to climate change. Besides, it will fundamentally solve traffic congestion, waterlogging, and environmental pollution. The region will promote urban development in association with the development orientation of transit-oriented development (TOD).

Prime Minster Pham Minh Chinh handed over the Decision approving the master plan to localities.

The region will focus on developing the Southern Dynamic Region (National Dynamic Zone) to become the leading economic center of the country and Southeast Asia. Urban construction in Ho Chi Minh City will be built to be modern, intelligent, leading and creating spillover effects, linking urban areas, being competitive, integrating regionally and internationally, and playing an important role in the urban network of the region.

It will form and develop economic corridors, with priority given to the North-South economic corridor, Moc Bai – Ho Chi Minh City - Bien Hoa - Vung Tau economic corridors, and the industrial - urban - service belts associated with Ring Road 3, Ring Road 4 of Ho Chi Minh City; effectively connecting seaports, airports, international border gates, major trade hubs, cities, economic centers and serving as a basis for reorganizing the regional development space.

The plan is also to strengthen intra-regional and inter-regional linkages to ensure efficient use of resources and improve regional competitiveness...

According to the report of the People's Committee of Binh Duong province, the Ministry of Planning and Investment has chaired the organization of the conference on the appraisal of the planning of Binh Duong province in the term 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050. Thereby, the Appraisal Council has made comments, assessed the conformity, and compliance with the planning submission, integrated contents, diagram system, maps, etc., and other comments contributed by reviewers to ensure that they are consistent with the general development orientation of the region and the country.

It is expected that the planning of Binh Duong province in the term 2021 - 2030 will be approved by the Provincial People's Council in 5/2024 and submitted to the Prime Minister in June 2024.

The planning of Binh Duong province in the period of 2021 - 2030, vision to 2050 is a framework for the strategic orientation of development, in order to renew thinking and vision, promoting the dynamism and creativity of local authorities and the companionship and guidance of leading enterprises to create new impetus for the strong transformation of existing models to new development models, from the township symbiotic and service-integrated industrial model to the modern industrial model adapting to the Industrial Revolution 4.0: High-tech industry (participating in global supply and value chains) - smart and innovative cities (modern and livable cities) - high-quality services (participating in value chains inflated).

Proposing mechanisms and policies for the implementation of the Ring Road 4

At the conference, representatives of ministries, branches, and localities discussed and proposed mechanisms and policies for the development of the Southeast region, especially for key transport projects with regional connectivity.

Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Phan Van Mai proposed mechanisms and policies for localities in the Southeast region

​​According to Mr. Phan Van Mai - Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, the Ring Road 4 project is being actively implemented by localities in the region. However, the current difficulty is the lack of mechanisms for localities to use local budget capital to invest in the Ring Road 4 project, the capital for the project implementation is large but the local budget is limited, etc. Therefore, Ho Chi Minh City proposed that the Prime Minister approve the policy of assigning the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee to coordinate with ministries, branches, and localities to develop specific policies applicable to the construction projects of Ring Road 4 in Ho Chi Minh City. The central budget supports Binh Duong, Dong Nai, and Ba Ria – Vung Tau with 50% of the cost of site clearance compensation of about 10,041 billion VND; of which Binh Duong is about 4,398 billion VND, Ba Ria – Vung Tau is 1,718 billion VND, Dong Nai is about 3,925 billion VND. Particularly, Long An province proposed to support 75% of the total budget capital participating in the project, equivalent to about 28,458 billion VND.

Chairman of Binh Duong People's Committee Vo Van Minh gave a speech at the conference

In consensus with the proposal and recommendations of Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Vo Van Minh – Chairman of Binh Duong People's Committee said that after more than one year of implementing Resolution No. 24-NQ/TW of the Politburo, the province has many remarkable achievements, including Development cooperation with localities in the Region to remove difficulties, problems for key traffic projects such as Ring Road 3, Ring Road 4, Ho Chi Minh City - Chon Thanh Expressway, etc., determine the route directions connecting localities in the Region to airports (Tan Son Nhat, Long Thanh), seaports (Cai Mep - Thi Vai); have an investment plan to develop Song Than station (Di An) into a key freight transportation center of the Southeast region, from which goods transported by rail from Binh Duong will connect with provinces and cities from the South to the North.

However, the province is facing difficulties in the implementation of the Ring Road 4 project in Ho Chi Minh City which passes through Binh Duong province due to difficulties in provincial budget capital and huge investment demand in the province. Therefore, the province proposes central agencies to consider supporting 50% of the total budget capital participating in the project for the road through Binh Duong province similar to the Ring Road 3 project in Ho Chi Minh City.

In addition, the Thu Bien bridge construction project is not on the list of pilot projects with some specific policies on investment in road construction. Therefore, the province proposes central agencies consider and approve Binh Duong province to apply the mechanism: "The provincial People's Council is entitled to decide to use the local budget and approve investment policies for the implementation of traffic projects and works of regional and inter-regional located on the boundary, administrative boundaries between localities under the Ring Road 4 project in Ho Chi Minh City" to have a foundation to continue implementing the project.

Through reviewing the draft report on specific mechanisms and policies for the Southeast region, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Vo Van Minh proposed that the Ministry of Planning and Investment soon complete and submit to the National Assembly for promulgation to remove difficulties and obstacles in institutions and create a breakthrough growth engine for provinces, cities in the Region.

Regarding investment resources, according to Mr. Vo Van Minh, regional transport infrastructure needs large resources whilst the Southeast region has 4/6 provinces and cities in the group of localities that have budget regulation to the Central. However, on average, the proportion of the local budget received is lower than in other regions. Therefore, the province also proposed ministries, branches, and central agencies to adopt policies and mechanisms to remove difficulties, and to increase the rate of regulation of local budget sources accepted so that provinces and cities in the region concentrate resources on synchronous investment in inter-provincial transport infrastructure, and regional infrastructure.

Through the discussion of ministries, branches, and localities, the concluding remark, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh praised the achievements in the socio-economic development of localities in the Southeast region. The Prime Minister also pointed out limitations that are not commensurate with the development of the region such as the development of the cultural industry; the connectivity infrastructure between regions is still limited in transport, supply chain, and production of goods; environmental pollution, flooding, and traffic jams still take place; the support between localities is still limited, especially budget support, etc.

Therefore, the Prime Minister proposed that localities in the Southeast region need to "accelerate, breakthrough, pioneer, resolute, rigorous, quality and effective". In particular, it is necessary to develop mechanisms and policies for ventilation and innovation; building strategic infrastructure must be fast and modern; management must be smart, in line with new development trends. Besides, it goes hand in hand with innovation, scientific and technological development, consumer export investment, adding new motivation; building a green, circular, and knowledge-based economy; and identifying 03 strategic breakthroughs: Infrastructure, institutional, and human development.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh gave a speech after the conference

 The Prime Minister emphasized the key tasks for the development of the Southeast region in the coming time. In particular, people must be put at the center of development; focus on developing synchronous and modern transport infrastructure; and mobilize all resources for development, especially capital resources.

The Prime Minister agrees with localities' proposals in developing mechanisms and policies for implementing the Ring Road 4. The Ministry of Finance is responsible for studying and proposing regimes and policies to mobilize capital sources for project implementation. The Prime Minister proposed to complete Long Thanh Airport in 2025; the expansion project of Tan Son Nhat Airport must be completed by April 30, 2025; to accelerate the deployment of expressways, especially the Bien Hoa – Vung Tau expressway. The Government Office synthesizes local proposals to assign leaders of the Government and ministries to coordinate in implementing specific tasks.

The meeting was attended by Ms. Truong Thi Bich Hanh - Member of the Provincial Standing Party Committee, Head of the Propaganda and Training Commission of the Provincial Party Committee; Mr. Mai Hung Dung - Member of the Provincial Standing Party Committee, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee (PPC); leader representatives of provincial departments, and branches.

Invest in upgrading and expanding key transport projects

Reporting to the Delegation, Mr. Doan Hong Tuoi - Chairman of Tan Uyen City People's Committee said that in the first months of 2024, industrial production growth is low because enterprises are still facing many difficulties, industrial and construction production value is estimated at 6,194 billion VND, up 4.81% over the same period. The value of trade and services is estimated at 8,202 billion VND, up 24.35% over the same period. To date, the disbursement value of convention investment capital has reached 143,755/380,543 million VND, reaching 38% of the plan. Total state budget revenue is 1,902 billion VND, reaching 45% of the provincial estimate; Total implemented local budget expenditure is 551 billion VND, reaching 43% of the estimate assigned by the province.

The work of ensuring social security and welfare implementation is focused on, especially during the Lunar New Year 2024, ensuring sufficient, correct, and timely spending. The city has also regularly paid attention and promptly supported workers and enterprises when problems arise in labor relations.

Mr. Doan Hong Tuoi - Chairman of Tan Uyen City People's Committee reports on the socio-economic, defense, and security situation in the city in the first 4 months of 2024

In the coming time, the city will continue to focus on directing and managing the implementation of proposed tasks and solutions. In particular, it will enhance investment attraction and sustainable development according to local urban development orientation, focus on establishing investment procedures for projects expected to start construction in 2024, speed up the construction progress of transitional projects, and works to celebrate the 10^th establishing anniversary of Tan Uyen Town - Tan Uyen City (April 01, 2014 - April 01, 2024); promote disbursement of public investment capital; and carry out compensation, support and resettlement procedures for key projects.

Reporting some current difficulties and problems, Mr. Bui Minh Tri - Secretary of Tan Uyen City Party Committee said that Thanh Phuoc Port Project Phase 1 was completed in 2012, Phase 2 has been approved by the PPC with a total area of about 28.53 hectares. However, from 2016 until now, the investor has not yet implemented land acquisition and site clearance. To exploit and use the Thanh Phuoc Port Project more effectively in the coming time, the city recommends that the Provincial Party Committee and PPC consider abandoning Phase 2 planning and adjusting the project land planning to commercial and service planning. At the same time, it is recommended that the Provincial Party Committee and PPC consider and provide guidance on resolving toll stations on road DT.747A (section from Thai Hoa to Uyen Hung) and road DT.747B (section from Thay Tho Pagoda to Ong Tiep bridge); consider and allocate capital to implement projects: Upgrading and expanding road DT.747A (section from Thai Hoa to Uyen Hung) with 4 lanes, total roadbed width of 28 meters; upgrading and expanding road DT.747B (section from Thay Tho pagoda to Ong Tiep bridge); Project to upgrade and expand road DT.742 (section through the city) with 6 lanes, total roadbed width of 42 meters to meet the needs of developing traffic networks connecting with Ring Road No. 4, Ho Chi Minh City - Chon Thanh Expressway section through Binh Duong province, attracting investment, creating motivation for socio-economic development in the city in particular and Binh Duong province in general. At the same time, it is necessary to consider continuing to deploy and construct the remaining part of road DT.746 (section from Uyen Hung to Tan My, Bac Tan Uyen district) because compensation and site clearance have been completed since 2020 but are being temporarily suspended to soon connect with Ring Road No. 4.

City Party Secretary Bui Minh Tri reports the difficulties the city is currently facing.

Currently, the traffic system in the southern area of Tan Uyen City connects with Thuan An and Di An cities through DT.747B, DT.743, and DH.401 roads connecting with My Phuoc - Tan Van road, forming a vital traffic axis connecting Binh Duong province with Dong Nai province and Ho Chi Minh City. However, the DH.401 road (from the foot of Thanh Hoi Bridge, Thai Hoa Ward to the border of Thuan An City) is very narrow (07 meters, with 02 lanes). Every year, the City People's Committee allocates funds for maintenance and patching, but due to the high traffic density, this road section is often damaged and degraded. In addition, there are Thai Hoa High School and Thai Hoa Secondary School on the road. When students leave school at peak times, they often get stuck in traffic, causing local traffic congestion and not ensuring traffic safety on the route. However, the city's budget is currently very tight, with insufficient resources to invest and upgrade this road. Therefore, the Secretary of the City Party Committee proposed that the Provincial Party Committee and PPC consider allocating capital for the City People's Committee to invest in the construction of upgrading and expanding road DH.401, Thai Hoa ward, with a roadbed width of 20 meters (4 lanes) to relieve traffic pressure, ensure traffic safety, and connect traffic between branch roads and the traffic axis of My Phuoc - Tan Van road.

Tan Uyen City also proposed that the Provincial Party Committee and PPC consider allocating capital for the city to invest in the construction of infrastructure completion projects to help Bach Dang commune complete all criteria for a model new-style rural area towards building a Smart Village in the 2021-2025 period and the following years.

Review and utilize all resources for development

Through local recommendations, representatives of provincial departments, and branches proposed solutions to solve difficulties and problems, creating favorable conditions for Tan Uyen City to continue to successfully implement political tasks, striving to complete the targets set by the Resolution of the 12^th Tan Uyen City Party Congress, 2020 -2025 tenure and aim to develop Tan Uyen City into a smart, civilized, modern and meaningful urban area.

Mr. Nguyen Anh Minh - Director of the Department of Transport responds to the city's recommendations related to the field of transportation

Responding to local recommendations related to key transport projects, Mr. Nguyen Anh Minh - Director of the Department of Transport said that the Department has worked with the investor to agree on a plan to resolve toll stations on road DT747A (section from Thai Hoa to Uyen Hung) and road DT747B (section from Thay Tho Pagoda to Ong Tiep bridge) as proposed by the city. However, some regulations have prevented the plan from being implemented. For projects to upgrade and expand roads in the city, the Department has advised them to be included in the investment list for the 2021 - 2025 period in order of investment priority.

Mr. Ngo Quang Su - Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment responds to the city's recommendations at the meeting

Addressing the city's land resources, Mr. Ngo Quang Su - Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment said that over the past time, land management in the city has been carried out quite effectively, without any violations. The city needs to adjust its land use plan accordingly to synchronize with the province's planning, review each project and urban development project, especially health and education infrastructure projects, etc., which must be planned synchronously. The city must study and review land plots needed for auction to create capital resources for the city. He emphasized that if the 16 land plots are successfully auctioned in the 2021-2025 period, it will generate revenue of over 10,000 billion VND for the city.

Regarding the Smart Village construction project in Bach Dang commune, Mr. Pham Van Bong - Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said that currently, the funding to invest in local roads that basically meet new-style rural criteria is very tight. Facing the above situation, the Department has coordinated with relevant departments and branches to propose capital support plans to implement the Project.

Sharing solutions to mobilize resources for investment in upgrading Tan Uyen urban area, Mr. Vo Hoang Ngan - Director of the Department of Construction said that Tan Uyen needed to prioritize synchronous infrastructure investment resources, calling for socialization of projects and works to reduce capital pressure for the city.

Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Van Loi speaks to conclude the meeting.

Through opinions of departments, branches, and localities, Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Van Loi highly appreciated the achievements in socio-economic development, security, and defense of Tan Uyen City, notably leadership, administration, State budget collection, and disbursement of public investment capital, etc. This is the foundation for the city to achieve and exceed the set targets by 2024.

Facing the difficulties and obstacles, the Provincial Party Secretary asked the city to determine the spirit of "self-reflection, self-correction, self-review, self-correction, self-overcoming difficulties". In particular, the city must review the low criteria to strive to achieve and exceed them and update the city's land use planning to be consistent with the province's planning. Moreover, it should focus on site clearance and construction of central and provincial projects and roads passing through the city such as Bach Dang 2 Bridge, DT746 Road, Ho Chi Minh City - Chon Thanh Expressway section passing through Tan Uyen City.

The Secretary assigned the Department of Transport to review roads in the city that have toll stations as recommended by the city, and work with investors to propose plans to stop toll collection in the near future; coordinate with departments and branches to advise and propose adjustments in capital allocation to complete the investment in the extended road DT746. For new investment projects, it is necessary to consider resources from land auctions to determine project implementation.

He also agreed with the opinions of departments and branches to consider the effectiveness of Thanh Phuoc Port Phase 2 to propose a solution.

He assigned the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to advise on organizing a preliminary review and summary of 03 years of implementing the Smart Village Project in Bach Dang commune to assess difficulties and obstacles and learn from experience in allocating capital sources to implement the Project.

The Secretary also suggested that Tan Uyen focus on urban beautification, concreting rural roads, and mobilizing the state and people to work together; investing in building urban wastewater treatment systems. The city must relocate factories outside industrial parks and clusters into industrial parks and clusters to carry out urban beautification and environmental protection. It should also pay attention to building social housing and housing for workers. "In the coming time, the province will work with the Bank for Social Policies to create the best conditions for workers to buy social housing." said the Secretary.

​​Accordingly, in the second week (May 6 – 10, 2024), the PPC will approve 03 draft Proposals and Resolutions, including the Regulation on spending tasks on environmental protection in the province; the Stipulation of the criteria for establishing a security and order protection team and the number of members of the security and order protection team at the grassroots level, support and training regime for people participating in the security and order protection team at the grassroots, the expenses for security and order protection team at the grassroots in the province; the Policies in drug addiction treatment, post-drug addiction management and support specialized forces who directly work in drug crime prevention and combat under agencies specialized in drug crime prevention and control in the area.

In the fourth week (May 20 – 24, 2024), the PPC will approve the Report on the management direction of the PPC and the socio-economic, defense, and security situation in May 2024.

At the same time, it will also approve 05 drafts, including the Decision promulgating regulations on economic and technical norms in the operation of the waste source monitoring system in the province; the Decision to promulgate the Plan to implement the Resolution on urban embellishment and development in the province for the period 2023 - 2025 and the period 2026 – 2030; the Decision to promulgate Regulations on coordination in preparing documents to apply measures to handle administrative violations and send them to compulsory detoxification facilities in the province; the Decision to amend and supplement Decision No. 25/2022/QD-UBND dated September 9, 2022, of the PPC regulating the decentralization of organizational management, payroll and cadres, civil servants, and employees above province; the Decision to amend and supplement Decision No. 37/2022/QD-UBND dated November 24, 2022 of the PPC promulgating Regulations on recruitment of civil servants in communes, wards and towns in the province.

Announcement.

​Many departments, branches, and localities have made a breakthrough

At the conference, Mr. Ly Van Dep – Deputy Director of the Home Affairs Department reported the results of the administrative reform index in 2023. At the departmental level, the average index result reached 85.41%, which increased by 1.1% in 2022 and up to 1.86% in 2021. There were 07/19 units with excellent scores of 90% or higher. With 93.75 points, the Information and Communication Department ranked first, followed by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Department, the Home Affairs Department, the Construction Department, the Health Department, the Agriculture and Rural Development Department …

The district-level administrative reform index has an average value of 91.98%, up 4.09% compared to 2022, of which 06 units achieved excellent; and 03 good rating units. This is the first year that 100% of district-level units achieved good results, with scores above 80%. Thu Dau Mot City scored 97.68 points, leading the district-level administrative reform Index in 2023; Tan Uyen City rose to second place, followed by Di An City, Ben Cat Town, and Thuan An City.

Overview of the conference

The administrative reform index of communes, wards, and townships in the province has an average value of 92.12%, an increase of 2.48% compared to 2022 and 69/91 units achieved excellent scores. Hiep Thanh Ward (Thu Dau Mot City) leads with a score of 99.09 points, followed by Phu Tho, Chanh My, Phu Hoa, Phu My, Phu Loi, Hoa Phu, Phu Cuong, Dinh Hoa, Phu Tan, Hiep An, Tan An, Tuong Binh Hiep, Chanh Nghia, etc.

Delegates attend the conference

Through the results of the administrative reform index in 2023, many departments, branches, and localities have made efforts to perform well the administrative reform work, the roles and responsibilities of the leader are promoted, directly monitoring and directing the administrative reform work. The units have made outstanding achievements in directing and implementing administrative reform tasks such as the Department of Finance (up 9 places), Department of Information and Communications (up 7 places), Di An City (up 4 places), Thuan An City (up 4 places), People's Committee of Thoi Hoa ward – Ben Cat (up 63 places), An Binh ward – Di An (up 55 places), Tan Dong Hiep ward – Di An (up 53 places), Chanh My ward – Thu Dau Mot (up 47 places). In particular, Thu Dau Mot City has been the unit leading the district administrative reform index ranking for 10 consecutive years with results always reaching over 90% and increasing gradually over the years. At the same time, this year, 14/14 wards of Thu Dau Mot City achieved high achievements, leading the commune level.

Having these positive results, the provincial administrative reform index reached 87.64/100 points, ranked 24/63 provinces and cities, up 2.86 points, up 11 places (in 2022, ranked 35/63 provinces and cities); in which, 6/8 component indexes increased, 2/8 component indexes decreased.

Solutions to maintain and improve the Administrative Reform Index

The conference focused on analyzing and evaluating the achieved results, shortcomings, limitations, and lessons learned in the process of organizing the implementation of administrative reform tasks of departments, branches, and localities in 2023, based on that, it continued to set out specific tasks to improve the results of the index in 2024.

In 2023, the Department of Information and Communications made many administrative reform efforts associated with digital transformation, creating favorable conditions for people to carry out administrative procedures. Mr. Nguyen Huu Yen - Deputy Director of the Department of Information and Communications said that the Department has focused on innovating working practices, changing modern management methods, based on promoting the application of information technology in the agency's operations; building digital government and e-government by the provincial roadmap.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Yen - Deputy Director of the Department of Information and Communications discussed at the conference

The technical infrastructure for IT applications and digital transformation at agencies is invested in synchronous upgrades, meeting the requirements of ensuring information security, ensuring technical conditions, and providing applications to serve people and businesses. Having built a centralized database connecting data of ministries and branches through the Information Center for direction and administration of the Government and the Prime Minister; data connection between 18/18 departments, committees, and branches, and 4/6 verticals of the province. Integrating at the Center for Smart Monitoring and Administration more than 1,000 directing indicators and data of 18/18 departments, committees, and branches; 9/9 IOC soft districts, towns, and cities; decentralization of 91/91 communes, wards, and townships.

The Department regularly reviews and announces administrative procedures promptly. Developing internal processes to deal with administrative procedures for the field of the Department. Reviewing and simplifying 02/37 administrative procedures, contributing to reducing the number of working days, and saving legal compliance costs for people when carrying out administrative procedures.

From November 2022, Binh Duong has implemented the consolidation of the Online Public Service Portal with the Provincial Electronic One-Stop Information System into the Information System for Administrative Procedure Settlement of Binh Duong Province. As the standing agency for digital transformation, the Department has pioneered in piloting the use of the Information System for handling administrative procedures in Binh Duong province. 100% of the public administration procedures of the Department are provided online, full degree, and online payment.

Administrative procedures are reviewed, interactive electronic forms are built to support automatic information filling; integrated notification channels on the status of application processing such as messages, Binh Duong Digital application, Zalo of Binh Duong SmartCity; integrated the connection of the national database on population to support identification; dossiers are digitized results of handling administrative procedures into electronic data warehouses of individuals, organizations, etc.

Standing Vice Chairman of the PPC Mai Hung Dung gave a directive speech at the conference

Speaking at the conference, Mr. Mai Hung Dung - Standing Vice Chairman of the PPC assessed that in 2023, with the efforts of departments, committees, branches, districts, towns, cities, communes, wards, and townships in administrative reform work, it has contributed to creating a driving force for socio-economic development.

The Standing Vice Chairman of the PPC asked departments, committees, branches, districts, towns, cities, communes, wards, and townships to focus on effectively implementing solutions to maintain and improve the component indicators with high scores; review and accurately evaluate limitations and weaknesses to have solutions to overcome the content of decreasing points, achieving low scores for indicators.

Strengthening the examination and reviewing of legal documents, promptly detecting and proposing competent authorities to handle overlapping, contradictory, illegal, expired, or no longer suitable regulations of the province's socio-economic development conditions and situation.

Focusing on digitizing records and results of the administrative center settlement, integrating data at agencies and units on the provincial data warehouse to serve and share with agencies and units in the management and settlement of the administrative center. Organizing digital transformation training for officials and civil servants and the Community Digital Technology Team.

Continuing to pay attention to the good implementation of the one-stop, one-stop mechanism at all 3 levels, improving the operational efficiency of the provincial-level Public Administration Center, the district-level Public Administration Service Center, and the commune-level one-stop in a modern and professional direction.

On this occasion, 27 collectives and 37 individuals with achievements in administrative reform work in 2023 received the Certificate of Merit from the Chairman of the PPC.

Standing Vice Chairman of the PPC Mai Hung Dung awarded the Certificate of Merit from the PPC to collectives with excellent achievements in the implementation of the administrative reform index in 2023

Leader of the Department of Home Affairs awarded Certificates of Merit from the PPC to individuals with outstanding achievements in implementing and scoring the administrative reform index in 2023

​The reception was attended by Ms. Nguyen Truong Nhat Phuong – Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Council, Mr. Nguyen Van Danh - Vice Chairman of the PPC, and leaders of departments, and branches.

At the meeting, Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Van Loi said that Binh Duong Province and Daejeon Metropolitan City had signed a Memorandum of Agreement on developing friendly relations and investment cooperation between the two localities in 2005. Over the past 19 years, the two localities have promoted many exchange and cooperation activities in many fields, promoting investment by Korean businesses in Binh Duong province.

Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Van Loi receives Mr. Lee Jang Woo - Mayor of Daejeon Metropolitan City.

The Secretary introduced an overview of the socio-economic situation and development orientations and strategies of the province in the coming time, which opened up many opportunities for investment cooperation with foreign partners, especially Korean businesses.

He hoped that with the friendly relationship between Binh Duong province and Daejeon Metropolitan City, Mr. Lee Jang Woo would support Binh Duong in attracting businesses to develop the field of science - technology and new-generation industries.

Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Van Loi presents a souvenir to Mr. Lee Jang Woo - Mayor of Daejeon Metropolitan City.

Mr. Lee Jang Woo thanked the provincial leaders for the warm welcome and expressed his impression of the development of Binh Duong province and its future development orientation. He said that Daejeon Metropolitan City was South Korea's science and technology capital, which was always ready to share experiences and cooperate with Binh Duong province towards a high value-added economy, applying advanced scientific and technical achievements. He believed that in the coming time, Binh Duong province would attract more foreign investors, including many new potential businesses from South Korea.

The two sides exchanged plans to prepare for the upcoming Meet Korea as well as activities to celebrate 20 years of friendship and investment cooperation between Daejeon Metropolitan City and Binh Duong Province in 2025.

The delegates take a group photo.

*On the same afternoon, the Chairman of the PPC Vo Van Minh also received the Delegation of Daejeon Metropolitan City (South Korea).

At the meeting with the delegation, the Chairman of the PPC said that Binh Duong was currently focusing on investing in infrastructure development, especially transportation infrastructure with key inter-regional routes. In addition, Binh Duong has oriented and put into planning the Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 5 connecting Tay Ninh, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, and Central Highlands provinces. The province has invested in railway lines and logistics terminals, connecting across Asia through Cambodia to Thi Vai - Cai Mep seaport and Long Thanh International Airport. This will be a new corridor, playing a key role in the development of the Northern sub-region, while connecting with important economic corridors of the region and the region, and being an important international gateway to the region and Viet Nam.

Chairman of the PPC Vo Van Minh discusses upcoming cooperation opportunities with Mr. Lee Jang Woo - Mayor of Daejeon Metropolitan City.

In addition, the province has proactively worked with the Ministry of Information and Communications on establishing a centralized information technology park with an area of about 50 hectares to attract investors in high technology, semiconductor chip technology, and electronic circuits. At the same time, it agreed on the policy with FPT Group to invest in a Software Park, associated with a multi-level school system with a scale of 100 hectares in Tan Uyen City to train workforces in science and information technology for the whole region.

Chairman of the PPC Vo Van Minh presents a souvenir to Mr. Lee Jang Woo - Mayor of Daejeon Metropolitan City.

With the province's existing advantages, Mr. Vo Van Minh believed that Binh Duong would be an ideal destination for investors, especially Korean investors with strengths in high-tech industries, semiconductor chips, green energy, green economy, circular economy, etc., which are in accordance with the province's investment attraction criteria.

Through upcoming specific activities, Binh Duong Province hopes to continue to further tighten the relationship with Daejeon Metropolitan City and work together for more sustainable development.

The delegates take a group photo.

​Attending the meeting were Ms. Nguyen Truong Nhat Phuong – Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Council, Mr. Nguyen Van Danh – Vice Chairman of the PPC, members of the Provincial People's Committee, as well as leaders of the departments and localities.

The meeting approved the draft report on the direction and administration of the PPC and the social-economic, defense, and security situation in April 2024.

Accordingly, the social-economic situation of the province developed stably in April; industrial production, trade - services, and exports all increased; budget revenues and expenditures in accordance with estimates; ensuring social security; unraveling the difficulties, and obstacles of citizens, enterprises, and key projects and works; foreign affairs and international cooperation are effectively promoted; political security and social order and safety are maintained. 

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Overview of the meeting.

In particular, the index of industrial production (IIP) in April 2024 was estimated to increase by 2.56% over the previous month; accumulating 4 months, the industrial production index increased by 4.29% compared to the same period.

Export turnover was predicted to reach over 3 billion dollars, and accumulated 4 months reached nearly 10,1 billion dollars, an increase of 15.6% compared to the same period. Import turnover was estimated at more than 2 billion dollars; and accumulated 4 months reached more than 7,5 billion dollars, with 10.5% in the same period.

As of April 22, 2024, the total value of disbursement of public investment capital was 1,958 billion VND, reaching 8.9% of the Provincial People's Council's plan, and 12.8% of the plan assigned by the Prime Minister.

By April 15, 2024, domestic investment was 5,775 billion VND of registered business capital; accumulating 4 months, it had attracted 19,838 billion VND of registered business capital (up 0.7% over the same period). Attracting foreign investment was about 79,1 million dollars. Accumulating 4 months attracted 272,4 million dollars (reaching 33% compared to the same period).

New budget revenue was 22,072 billion VND, with 31% of the prediction of The Provincial People's Council, an increase of 2% in the same period.

Leaders of the Construction Department presented the draft Decision approving the project on the development of social housing and workers' housing term 2021-2025, with an orientation to 2030

The meeting also considered the following contents: decision on internal adjustment of the State budget capital investment plan in 2024; internal transfer of the 2024 public investment capital plan from component 1 project: Clearance of Ring Road 4 in Ho Chi Minh City, section from Thu Bien bridge - Saigon River to the project of site clearance of Bac Tan Uyen - Phu Dao - Bau Bang power generation road; draft Decision approving the scheme on development of social housing and workers' housing from 2021 to 2025, with orientation to 2030; draft Decision on promulgation of the list of centralized procurement and centralized procurement units in the province, etc.

Binh Duong is expected to invest about 160,325 social housing units in the period of 2021-2030

For the draft Decision approving the Project on the development of social housing and workers' housing in the period of 2021-2025, orientation to 2030 (the Project), it was expected that in the whole period of 2021-2030, the province will invest about 160,325 social housing units (155,289 apartments and 5,036 townhouses, of which the number of rental units is about 32,065 units). The total land area is about 470.4 hectares, the construction floor area is estimated at 9,253,924 m2, meeting about 552,458 population with a total investment of about 84,756 billion VND, higher than the target assigned by the Government. In particular, from 2021 to 2025, it is expected to arrange about 136.1 hectares of investment land to complete about 42,445 social housing units, with a construction floor area of 2,612,721 square meters, meeting about 138,326 population with a total investment of about 23,817 billion VND.

From 2026 to 2030, it is expected to allocate about 334.3 hectares of land area, invest in completing about 117,880 social housing units, with a construction floor area of 6,641,203 square meters, meeting about 414,132 population with a total investment of about VND 60,939 billion.

Mr. Vo Van Minh - Chairman of the PPC concludes the meeting.

In conclusion, Mr. Vo Van Minh – Chairman of the PPC basically agreed with the contents submitted at the meeting. Particularly, the project on the development of social housing and workers' housing in the period of 2021-2025, orientation to 2030 is elaborately prepared by the Construction Department and highly agreed upon by the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee. He asked departments, branches, and localities to focus on implementing groups of land solutions associated with the provincial housing development plan, which should be updated in the district-level planning; accordingly, solve relevant procedures for investors, and at the same time, it is necessary to resolutely withdraw for projects that are slow to implement, etc.

Facing urgent requirements for the procurement of equipment and supplies in the field of Health and Education, the Chairman of the PPC noted that departments and branches should consider, study and proactively decentralize assignments to localities to promptly procure to meet the requirements of tasks at the facility. For the remaining contents, he suggested that departments and branches continue to supplement and complete to submit to the PPC.

The ceremony was attended by Mr. Nguyen Minh Triet – Former member of Politburo, and Former President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, Mr. Tran Quang Phuong - Member of the Party Central Committee, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly, Mr. Hoang Thanh Tung - Member of the Party Central Committee, Chairman of the National Assembly's Legal Committee, Mr. Vu Chien Thang - Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Vu Minh Tuan - Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Office and Vietnamese Heroic Mothers.

Delegates attend the ceremony

Mr. Nguyen Minh Triet – Former President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam presents flowers to Vietnamese Heroic Mothers

On the side of Binh Duong province, the ceremony was attended by Mr. Nguyen Van Loi - Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Thao - Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Mr. Vo Van Minh - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee (PPC), Mr. Nguyen Van Loc - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Council, Ms. Nguyen Thi My Hang - Chairwoman of the Provincial Viet Nam Fatherland Front Committee and leaders and former leaders of the Provincial Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, Viet Nam Fatherland Front Committee of the province and Ben Cat Town through periods.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Triet – Former President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam presents flowers to congratulate the ceremony

Mr. Tran Quang Phuong - Vice Chairman of the National Assembly presents flowers from the National Assembly Standing Committee to congratulate the ceremony

The leader of Binh Duong province presents flowers from the Provincial Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, and Viet Nam Fatherland Front Committee of the province to congratulate the ceremony

At the ceremony, Mr. Hoang Thanh Tung - Member of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of the National Assembly's Legal Committee announced the Resolution of the National Assembly Standing Committee on the establishment of An Dien ward and An Tay ward in Ben Town and the establishment of Ben Cat city in Binh Duong province. The Resolution takes effect from May 1^st, 2024.

Accordingly, An Dien ward was established based on the entire natural area of 31.22 km2 and a population of 25.363 people of An Dien commune. An Dien ward borders wards of An Tay, My Phuoc, and Thoi Hoa, Phu An commune, Ben Cat town, Bau Bang district, and Dau Tieng district.

Mr. Tran Quang Phuong - Vice Chairman of the National Assembly hands over the Resolution of the National Assembly Standing Committee on the establishment of An Dien ward, An Tay ward in Ben Cat town, and establishment of Ben Cat city in Binh Duong province to the Party Committee, government and the people of Ben Cat town

Delegates perform a ceremony of pressing the button to congratulate the establishment of Ben Cat City in Binh Duong province

An Tay ward was established based on the entire natural area of 44.01 km2 and a population of 41.917 people of An Tay commune. An Tay ward borders An Dien ward, Phu An commune, Ben Cat town, Dau Tieng district, and Ho Chi Minh City.

Ben Cat City was established based on the entire natural area of 234.35 km2 and a population of 364.578 people of Ben Cat town in Binh Duong province. Ben Cat City borders Tan Uyen City, Thu Dau Mot City, Bau Bang District, Bac Tan Uyen District, Dau Tieng District, and Ho Chi Minh City.

After the establishment of An Dien ward and An Tay ward, Ben Cat City has 08 commune-level administrative units including 07 wards: An Dien, An Tay, Chanh Phu Hoa, Hoa Loi, My Phuoc, Tan Dinh, Thoi Hoa and Phu An commune. Thus, Binh Duong province has 04 districts and 05 cities, 91 commune-level administrative units including 39 communes, 47 wards, and 05 towns.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Tran Quang Phuong - Vice Chairman of the National Assembly acknowledged and praised the achievements and results that the Party Committee, government, and people of Binh Duong province have achieved in recent times. Especially, Mr. Tran Quang Phuong highly appreciated the efforts of the party-level government, generations of party members, civil servants, armed forces, and the people of Ben Cat on the journey of building and developing from a town to a city after 10 years of separation.

At the same time, it is emphasized that 03 groups of extremely important and urgent tasks that the Party Committee, authorities, and people of Binh Duong province in general, and Ben Cat city in particular need to focus on implementing in the coming time. First of all, there are the tasks of arranging the organizational structure, building a team of officials, urban embellishment and development, and ensuring social security associated with maintaining stability in national defense and security in the new situation.

Mr. Vo Van Minh – Chairman of the PPC delivers a speech at the ceremony

On behalf of the provincial leaders, Mr. Vo Van Minh - Chairman of the PPC received the comments and directions of the Vice Chairman of the National Assembly and promised to organize and implement with high determination, great efforts, aggressive actions, dynamism, creativity, and positivity to achieve the best results. It is necessary to join hands and unanimously build the Provincial Party Committee to always be a united, clean, and strong group. Besides, it needs to build Binh Duong to soon become a first-class urban area, a smart, civilized, rich, beautiful, and modern city, and contribute to the work of building, protecting, and developing the country.

The Chairman of the PPC proposed that the entire political system, business community, and people in the city continue to be a united, positive, and proactive group in seizing opportunities and focusing on building Ben Cat to be increasingly rich, beautiful, civilized and modern so that people can have a prosperous and happy life.

Under the authorization of the President, Mr. Tran Quang Phuong - Vice Chairman of the National Assembly awards the First-Class Labor Medal, and Mr. Vo Van Minh - Chairman of the PPC presents flowers to congratulate the Party Committee, government, and the people of Ben Cat Town

At the ceremony, under the authorization of the President, Mr. Tran Quang Phuong - Vice Chairman of the National Assembly awarded the First-Class Labor Medal, and Mr. Vo Van Minh - Chairman of the PPC presented flowers to the Party Committee, government, and people of Ben Cat town for the outstanding achievements in work from 2018 to 2022. That contributed to the cause of socialism building and nation defense. The Organizing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee announced the Decision to establish Ben Cat City's Party Committee.

Provincial leaders issue the Decision on the establishment and give flowers to congratulate the Party Committee of Ben Cat City

On this occasion, the Provincial Red Cross Society awarded 50 scholarships to studious students with difficult circumstances in Ben Cat town, each scholarship worth 3 million VND and a gift worth 500.000 VND.

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Leaders of the Province and Ben Cat town award scholarships to students with difficult circumstances in Ben Cat town

​Chanh My Ecological Urban Area project is invested by the Housing and Urban Development Holdings Corporation Limited (HUD), with a scale of more than 340 hectares. To date, the project has disbursed investment capital of more than 2,070 billion VND.

The Social Welfare Housing Project is being implemented on schedule

Located in the Chanh My Ecological Urban Area project, the social welfare housing project has an area of more than 27 hectares, including 06 12-story apartment buildings with 978 apartments, and an area of 38.5 m² to 63.5 m². After completing procedures for publicizing social housing product information, HUD has received about 1,200 registration dossiers wishing to purchase and has reviewed eligible subjects according to current regulations and submitted them to the Binh Duong Department of Construction for appraisal. The project implementation progress is expected to complete acceptance and put into use 03 towers phase 1 with 456 apartments in the third quarter of 2025.

Mr. Ta Dung - Deputy General Director of HUD states difficulties and problems related to project implementation

Reporting to the Delegation, Mr. Ta Dung - Deputy General Director of HUD stated difficulties and problems related to project implementation. For example, some regulations on conditions for social housing support policies are inappropriate, leading to people in need not receiving access to products; the handover of the site is still facing difficulties, affecting the project progress, etc.

Leaders of departments and branches present solutions to remove difficulties and obstacles in project implementation

Through the opinions of units and localities, Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Van Loi understood the difficulties of the investors during project implementation and highly appreciated the progress of the project, which has now basically completed all legal procedures. Regarding site clearance, the Secretary said that there were not many households that have not yet cleared and reclaimed their land, so he requested localities to continue to propagate, mobilize, and explain to people the benefits of the project in the overall development of the province, and apply policies to compensate, resettlement, and ensure the rights of people in the cleared area.

Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Van Loi speaks at the meeting

The Secretary requested the Trade Union levels to reach workers who need to buy social housing and act as a bridge to help them access and buy social housing, ensuring the appropriate people. Relevant departments and branches must work with the investor to remove difficulties and obstacles so that the project can be completed soon and operate effectively.

Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Van Loi discusses with the investor of the social housing project in Chanh My Ecological Urban Area

Provincial leaders take a group photo with HUD leaders at the Welfare Housing Area

​The ceremony was attended by Mr. Nguyen Van Loc - Member of the Provincial Standing Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; Mr. Mai Hung Dung - Member of the Provincial Standing Party Committee, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee (PPC); representatives of leaders of departments and branches, Ben Cat town.

The construction of the new Do bridge across Thi Tinh River has a total investment of 312 billion VND using provincial budget capital, town budget capital, and calling for socialization; total length is 165.30 meters; the road item after adjustment is 802m; the scale of 04 lanes. This project, when put into use, will relieve traffic pressure in the Ben Cat market area, serving the needs of transporting goods and traveling for people.

The construction of the new Do bridge across Thi Tinh River has a total investment of 312 billion VND using provincial budget capital, town budget capital, and calling for socialization

The Ben Cat Town Mass Organizations' Headquarters project has a total investment of 45 billion VND using town budget capital; the Construction area is 756 m², including 01 basement, 03 floors, and 01 attic, total construction floor area is 2,589 m². The project is built to ensure facilities for officials, civil servants, and public employees of the Mass organizations to work. It is expected that the project will be completed and put into use in June 2025.

The project of upgrading the HAC road from DT.748 to Tien Giang intersection, An My hamlet, An Dien commune has a total investment of 31 billion VND with town budget capital and calls for socialization, the total length of the route is about 1,689 meters, with 02 lanes. This project is one of the projects implemented under Project No. 03/DA-UBND dated September 14, 2023, of the Town People's Committee on Investment in upgrading red gravel roads and dirt roads in Ben Cat Town.

Delegates perform the ribbon-cutting ceremony to inaugurate the new Do Bridge Construction project across the Thi Tinh River

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Tran Ngoc Cuong - Vice Chairman of Ben Cat Town People's Committee said that the new Do bridge project across Thi Tinh River was completed thanks to the attention of the Provincial Party Committee, PPC, provincial departments, branches, the consensus and support of the people and the contributions of the construction team, supervisors, and workers worked day and night to complete the project and put it into use.

Mr. Tran Ngoc Cuong - Vice Chairman of Ben Cat Town People's Committee speaks at the ceremony

He also requested that the unit constructing and supervising the Ben Cat Town Union Headquarters project and the project of upgrading the HAC road from DT.748 develop a specific plan, ensure construction on schedule proposed for early exploitation and use, and strictly comply with legal regulations on construction investment.

To welcome the delegations to Binh Duong, Mr. Mai Hung Dung – Standing Vice Chairman of the PPC informed the situation of the province's socio-economic development over the past time.

He emphasized that Binh Duong is focusing on smart and sustainable development. In particular, it is towards a green and carbon-neutral industry.

Overview of the meeting

Currently, the province is implementing some more industrial parks and clusters to attract projects of high-tech investment and advanced science and technology applications. In addition, Binh Duong also implements many renewable energy and green energy projects such as solar power, and biomass power from waste treatment, etc., to ensure compliance with the province's development orientation and policies.​

Mr. Mai Hung Dung – Standing Vice Chairman of the PPC gave a souvenir to the representative of the delegation

Mr. Nguyen Chi Trung – Chairman of Gia Dinh Group claimed that Binh Duong is one of the most attractive localities in Viet Nam in industrial development and attracting foreign investment. Gia Dinh Group is promoting to implementation Project of Tam Lap industrial cluster in Phu Giao district and inviting investors to participate.

Businesses from South Korea and Mongolia expressed interest when they visited industrial parks and clusters in Binh Duong. Besides, they also wanted to learn more about information, policies, and the investment environment of the province.

Delegates took a group photo

​The conference was attended by Mr. Mai Hung Dung - a Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee (PPC); representatives of departments, branches, and localities.

According to the report, in 2023, there were 533 fires in the province, of which, 06 large fires, accounting for 1.12%; 38 medium fires, accounting for 7.13%, and 489 small fires which were promptly extinguished by citizens and on-site fire protection forces, accounting for 91.75%; one person was injured, property damage was estimated at 141 billion VND. Compared to the same period in 2022, the number of fires decreased by 21 cases (533/554 cases, down to 3.93%), decreased by 32 deaths (0/32 people), and decreased by 21 people injured (01/22 people).

Overview of the conference

Regarding the type of establishment where the fire occurred, there were 37 fires of the type of warehouse, production, and business establishments (6.94%); 19 single dwellings (3.56%); 11 vehicle incidents (2.1%); 03 housing cases combined with production and business (0.56%); 23 fires of power lines, capacitor boxes (4.31%); 440 grass fires, garbage (82.55%).

The cause of the fire is an electrical breakdown, electrical equipment; technical breakdowns, the impact of natural phenomena, self-combustion due to traffic accidents; grass fires, and scrap garbage due to carelessness.

Regarding the work of rescuing and salvaging, there were 22 incidents and accidents in the province; compared to the same period in 2022, an increase of 12 cases.

Functional forces inspected the fire safety of FPP 13,930 times establishments under provincial and district management and 43,762 visits to establishments at commune level, made 57,692 minutes, and instructed more than 150,000 fire safety FPP solutions. Through the inspection work, it was promptly detected and decided to temporarily suspend 501 cases, suspend the operation of 480 cases where the establishment did not ensure fire safety FPP conditions; and handle administrative violations in 1,808 cases, with a total amount paid to the State budget of 43.88 billion VND.

The conference also implemented and thoroughly reviewed several plans of the Steering Committee for FPP and RS of the province, the PPC, and the Ministry of Public Security on tasks in 2024; implement the plan to organize the "Fire Safety Joint Team" in Binh Duong province in 2024.

Mr. Nguyen Trung Thu - Deputy Director of Binh Duong Power Company gave a speech at the conference

At the conference, representatives of departments, branches, and localities discussed the achievements, as well as difficulties and obstacles that need to be solved in the coming time for the work of FPP and RS to achieve more results.

Speaking after the conference, the Standing Vice Chairman of the PPC Mai Hung Dung highly appreciated the achievements in FPP and RS work in the province over the past time.

At the same time, members of the provincial Steering Committee continued to further promote their roles and responsibilities for FPP and RS, considering this as a regular political task, closely associated with the professional tasks of each department, branch, and locality. Summarizing and evaluating the results of the review, inspection, and classification of FPP assurance for multi-apartment houses (mini apartments), rental service businesses, karaoke service businesses, bars, and discotheques in the province to continue to have effective implementation solutions.

Continuing to monitor and urge the effective implementation of the completion and consolidation of the civil defense force in hamlets and neighborhoods in the province following the Law on FPP in 2001; strengthen on-site fire protection forces in residential areas under the motto "Take prevention as the main thing, do well in fire prevention to reduce firefighting", "Safe home - safe neighborhood - safe commune and ward".

They would pay attention to increasing investment resources to ensure FPP and RS work to gradually meet the requirements and actual situation of the locality. They would also instruct investors of industrial parks in the province to focus on proactively overcoming shortcomings, and violations of regulations on FPP and RS, investing in technical infrastructure for traffic, fire water supply, equipping grassroots FPP equipment, etc. specialized FPP force as prescribed.

On this occasion, 08 collectives and 25 individuals with excellent achievements in FPP and RS work in the period of 2020-2023 received the Certificate of Merit from the Chairman of the PPC.

The Steering Committee awarded Certificates of Merit to collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements in the period 2020-2023

​At the meeting, Mr. Urs Unkauf expressed his enthusiasm about the Horasis China Meeting 2024 in Binh Duong. Especially, after the tour visiting the industrial parks, universities, and Binh Duong New City, he was impressed with Binh Duong's development and infrastructure system. It shows that Binh Duong is a dynamic and open locality in terms of international cooperation. He also thanked the province for its reform efforts to create favorable conditions for businesses. During the Horasis China Meeting 2024, he had a chance to meet the Deputy Prime Minister of Viet Nam Tran Hong Ha, to exchange with businesses, including Becamex IDC Corp. in Binh Duong. This event has opened many cooperation opportunities between enterprises and the provincial government, as well as between enterprises. He said this was the right time for German businesses to expand their investment in Viet Nam in general, and in Binh Duong in particular.

Mr. Vo Van Minh – Chairman of the PPC welcomes and works with Mr. Urs Unkauf - Federal Managing Director of the BWA Global Economic Network.

The Chairman of the PPC Vo Van Minh thanked the Delegation of BWA for their participation in Horasis China Meeting 2024. He affirmed that the Meeting received interest from businesses, creating many opportunities for domestic enterprises to cooperate not only with Chinese enterprises but also with international ones.

He also introduced the province's socio-economic situation and investment attraction to the Delegation. Up to now, the province has nearly 4,300 projects invested by 65 countries and territories with a total registered capital of more than 40,6 billion USD. Binh Duong now ranks 3^rd in Viet Nam in terms of foreign investment attraction, after Ho Chi Minh City and Ha Noi.

Many European businesses have invested large amounts of capital in Binh Duong such as Lego and Pandora. Germany ranks 31 out of 65 countries and territories that have investment projects in Binh Duong with 18 projects and a total capital of nearly 51 million USD. The main fields include the wood industry, cold storage, production of household appliances, agriculture, and other supporting industries.

The Chairman of the PPC Vo Van Minh presents a souvenir to Mr. Urs Unkauf.

The Chairman of the PPC said that Binh Duong was ready in terms of industrial park infrastructure, solar electricity, etc. to welcome high-quality and high-tech investors. The province has also invested in the ring roads and highways that link to Long Thanh International Airport, Cai Mep Seaport, etc., facilitating the circulation of goods.

He affirms that the friendly relationship between Viet Nam and European countries, including Germany, has increasingly consolidated. The Vietnamese-German University (VGU) in Binh Duong is the first school under the new model university construction project, established based on cooperation between Viet Nam and Germany. Recently, Binh Duong Provincial Leaders have welcomed delegations of German Federal senior leaders, the State of Hesse, and Heidelberg City to come and work in the province.

The Chairman of the PPC hoped that with their reputation, BWA would continue to connect more German businesses to come and invest in Binh Duong. At the same time, he hoped that BWA would support the province to organize investment promotion activities in Germany in particular and Europe in general. Binh Duong is ready to welcome and assist German businesses in solving problems and obstacles during production and business activities in the province.

The provincial leaders discuss with BWA.

The delegates take group photos together.

​Binh Duong Industrial Park (IP) was established in 1993, with a scale of 16.5 hectares invested by Thanh Le General Import Export Trading Corporation. To date, this IP has attracted 11 enterprises, including 05 enterprises leasing land and 06 enterprises leasing factories; creating jobs for more than 2,000 workers.

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The provincial leaders' delegation visits the manufacturing factory of Sung Hyun Vina Co., Ltd

At the meeting with investors of the IP and Sung Hyun Vina Co., Ltd. (South Korea) which is leasing land in the IP, the leaders of investors and enterprises all agreed with the policy of converting functions, relocating the factory to the North of the province. Investors and enterprises hoped to continue participating in converting the commercial and service development functions of the IP, contributing to creating jobs for workers who do not want to move to the North of the province.

Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Van Loi visits workers of Sung Hyun Vina Co., Ltd

A representative of Sung Hyun Vina Co., Ltd. said that currently, the Company has 03 factories specializing in garment production operating in Binh Duong with more than 2,000 workers. During the past 25 years, the Company's production and business activities have had great achievements. To contribute to the development of Binh Duong, the Company's leaders strongly agree with the province's factory relocation policy and are willing to participate in investment and development of trade and services in Di An. At the same time, they hoped that the province would have policies to support enterprises in relocating factories, ensuring a stable life for affected workers.

Leaders of Sung Hyun Vina Co., Ltd. report on production and business activities to provincial leaders

Speaking at the meeting, Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Van Loi said that the policy of relocating industrial parks, industrial clusters, and enterprises outside industrial parks and clusters from the South to the North of the province was a major policy, contributing to urban beautification, promoting service and trade development, and improving the quality of economic growth in southern localities. At the same time, he highly appreciated the views and consensus of investors and enterprises towards the province's policies.

Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Van Loi speaks at the meeting

The Provincial Party Secretary said that relocation was necessary, but must be done carefully and scientifically, ensuring the common interests of workers, enterprises, and the province. Therefore, Binh Duong Industrial Park and Sung Hyun Vina Co., Ltd. were chosen to pilot function conversion and factory relocation, to gain experience and deploy widely throughout the province.

The Provincial Party Secretary also requested relevant branches to investigate and assess the impact of relocation on workers, implement preferential policies for enterprises that agree to relocate, and build infrastructure to meet the life and activities of workers after the relocation process, contributing to stabilizing the production of the enterprises after relocation.

​Focus on removing difficulties for businesses

Reporting at the meeting, Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee and Chairman of Di An City People's Committee Vo Van Hong said that in the first quarter of 2024, the city's socio-economic situation continued to achieve positive results. Total new State budget revenue in the area reached over 2,195 billion VND, equal to 32.7% of the estimate assigned by the PPC (up 29.6% over the same period in 2023).

Regarding the disbursement of public investment capital, the implemented volume eligible for disbursement is 69 billion VND out of 727,509 billion VND, reaching 9.5% of the assigned plan. Regarding the compensation and site clearance of projects, 09 projects out of 283 documents with an amount of 468.291 billion VND have been organized payments.

Administrative reform and digital transformation have also achieved positive results. Currently, the city is accepting 100% of administrative procedures eligible to perform full and partial online public services. The work of caring for policy beneficiaries is paid attention to and carried out regularly.

In particular, in the context of the recession, the production and business activities of companies and businesses in the area face many difficulties. To implement the direction of the Provincial Party Committee and PPC on implementing tasks and solutions to remove difficulties and obstacles for operations, production, and business to help businesses gradually restore production and develop, based on the direction of the City Party Committee, the City People's Committee has established a Team to help remove difficulties for businesses and people. The City People's Committee coordinated with the State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV) – Binh Duong Provincial Branch to organize a Bank-Enterprise Connection Conference in Di An - Thuan An area, thereby listening to proposals from associations and industries and deploying credit support packages to create conditions for businesses to access capital and preferential policies from banks to help restore production, business.

Di An City has promptly solved problems for the production activities of businesses. Photo: Sung Hyun Vina Co., Ltd. worker in their shift.

Di An City has coordinated with the Department of Industry and Trade to orient businesses to convert functions from manufacturing to commerce - services following the city's urban planning. The Standing Committee of the City People's Committee has also met, worked, supported, removed problems, and guided businesses on fire prevention and fighting; land, construction, planning, conversion of functions, investment in commercial-service projects, entertainment areas, shortening administrative procedures, etc. The City People's Committee has arranged a business reception point at the City Public Administration Service Center to receive and process information and support businesses facing difficulties in the city. In addition, periodically on Wednesdays, leaders of the City People's Committee and other sectors schedule to attend business coffee at the Young Entrepreneurs Association, initially gradually removing some difficulties and helping businesses orient to restore.

In the coming time, the City will continue to direct relevant committees, branches, and the Young Entrepreneurs Association of the City to review businesses located outside of industrial parks to understand the operating situation, meet, listen, and grasp their needs in terms of product supply and demand, needs for labor resources, capital, etc. The City will also identify specific tasks and solutions to support businesses, especially focusing on directing and solving difficulties in the field of land and planning to create favorable conditions and promote the real estate market to develop safely, healthily, and sustainably, contributing to local socio-economic development.

Secretary of Di An City Party Committee Ho Quang Diep speaks at the working session.

Besides the achievements, the city also faces a number of difficulties: Currently, the city's need for infrastructure investment and urban embellishment is very large but lacks resources; Implementing compensation for site clearance for the Ring Road 3 project facing difficulties in determining the value of infrastructure investment in the resettlement area; Compensation and property support policies; Lack of capital, etc.

To remove difficulties and obstacles, Di An proposed and recommended that the Provincial Party Committee consider supporting capital sources for the city to renovate the urban area according to the Provincial Party Committee's policies. The PPC, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Department of Finance, Department of Industry and Trade, and Power Company Binh Duong continue to support handling problems according to the recommendations of the City People's Committee related to land compensation, relocation of rooftop solar power systems, valuation of infrastructure investment, asset support policy according to depreciation rate; early approval of policies and guidelines for converting the functions of Binh Duong Industrial Park; approve the policy for Di An to auction - bid to select investors for a number of land funds for local economic development; Provide early instructions on procedures to build Di An General Hospital in the direction of socialization.

Renovate and embellish the urban area towards civilization and beauty

At the meeting, representatives of provincial departments and branches focused on discussing solutions to remove difficulties to accelerate key traffic projects, urban embellishment, city planning, etc.

Regarding suggestions on capital resources for embellishing the urban area and public investment, Mr. Pham Trong Nhan – Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment said that according to regulations, regular expenditures could not be used to serve urban beautification work. Therefore, he suggested that the city coordinate with the Department of Finance to have instructions to remove difficulties and obstacles. The representative of the Department of Finance requested Di An to review and reconsider expenditure sources to allocate appropriately to ensure the agency's operations, then calculate and exploit existing local revenue sources to effectively utilize resources.

Mr. Pham Trong Nhan – Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment replies to suggestions of Di An related to capital resources.

Responding to Di An's proposal on the relocation of rooftop solar power related to the Ring Road 3 project, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Toan - Director of the Department of Industry and Trade said, as the Department determined the Ring Road 3 project as a key project, it had actively coordinated with Di An City and other departments and agencies to come up with a relocation plan and agree to relocate before May 10, 2024 to hand over land for construction of the Ring Road 3 project. For the socialization and embellishment of 02 markets in the city, the Department has worked with Di An to organize auctions and bidding.

To speed up the construction progress of key traffic projects in the city, Mr. Tran Hung Viet - Director of the Provincial Transportation Works Construction Investment Project Management Authority proposed that the city should soon complete site clearance and hand over the site to the construction unit to implement the projects. Currently, the handover of the site is slow compared to the proposed schedule because some households do not agree with the compensation price so they have not handed over the site.

​Mr. Nguyen Thanh Toan - Director of the Department of Industry and Trade replies to suggestions of Di An related to relocating rooftop solar power.

Explaining the city's difficulties and problems, Mr. Ho Quang Diep - Secretary of the Di An City Party Committee said that currently, Di An was facing difficulties in urban renovation, especially in terms of capital. The land clearance work of Ring Road 3 also encountered difficulties in determining compensation prices because there were assets on the land that were not included in the regulations for support when relocating.

After listening to the opinions of departments and Di An City, Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Van Loi highly appreciated the achievements of Di An City in the first quarter of 2024. Those achievements have shown the determination, effort, dynamism, and creativity of the Party Committee, government, people, and the business community in Di An City, who have overcome challenges and difficulties and constantly develop.

The Secretary emphasized that since 2024 is the last year of implementing the Resolution of the Provincial and City Party Congress for the 2020 - 2025 term, Di An City needs to concentrate highly, review, and evaluate the resolution's targets, focusing fiercely on solving low targets. Besides, it is necessary to soon complete planning approval which is the basis for implementing projects, or else, there will be congestion. When implementing City Planning, it is necessary to determine the order of priority projects and resources for investment.

Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Van Loi concludes the working session.

The Provincial Party Secretary said that Di An was one of the two gateway cities in the south of the province that needed to focus more resources and budget on urban reconstruction and embellishment in a civilized and modern direction. Regarding Ring Road 3 and key projects that are facing problems, he requested departments focus on guiding the city to solve problems. The leaders must participate in propaganda work and direct management to remove difficulties, speed up progress, compensation, construction, and construction of resettlement areas. In addition, they must guide the city in land auctions, renovating markets and kindergartens, and building medical, educational, cultural, and sports facilities in the form of socialization.

At the same time, it is necessary to strengthen national defense and security. They must build a strong political system, better meeting the city's development tasks. It is necessary to prepare for Party Congresses at all levels next year, focusing on planning, and ensuring procedures, age, gender, and qualifications.

The Provincial Party Secretary also noted the need to continue to take care of people's lives, considering this a responsibility and affection for the city's people.