Expressing his joy to welcome H.E. Mr. Andrew Goledzinowski to visit Binh Duong, Chairman of the PPC Vo Van Minh respectfully invited the Ambassador to attend the memorial ceremony and burial of the remains of martyrs held on the morning of April 26 at the Martyrs Cemetery of Binh Duong province. The Chairman of the PPC informed the Ambassador about the process of searching for the remains of martyrs found in Choi Dung hamlet, Binh My commune, Bac Tan Uyen district. The search process involved Australian veterans participating in surveying, searching, exploring, and locating burial pits.

Chairman of the PPC Vo Van Minh received H.E. Mr. Andrew Goledzinowski - Australia's Ambassador to Viet Nam.

H.E. Mr. Andrew Goledzinowski thanked the provincial leaders for the invitation and said that many Australian veterans had been following the news about the search for the remains of martyrs in Choi Dung hamlet, Binh My commune, Bac Tan Uyen district in the past few days. They are touched and looking forward to the burial ceremony of martyrs.

Chairman of the PPC Vo Van Minh presents a souvenir to H.E. Mr. Andrew Goledzinowski - Australia's Ambassador to Viet Nam.

At the meeting, the two sides also discussed cooperation opportunities in the future. The Chairman of the PPC hoped that the Ambassador would continue to support Binh Duong in connecting, learning, and establishing friendly cooperative relations with Australian localities. At the same time, he hoped the Ambassador would introduce and connect Australian businesses to invest in Binh Duong in fields that the province is interested in such as education, high technology, digital transformation, banking and finance, smart city development, renewable energy, environmental protection, etc.

The delegates take a group photo.

​According to the announced results of the PAR Index in 2023, Binh Duong province reached 87.64%, ranked 24/63 localities, and climbed 11 places compared to 2022. Quang Ninh continues to lead the rankings with a result of 92.18%, the lowest is An Giang with 81.32%.

In the SIPAS Index 2023 on the level of satisfaction of people and organizations with the provincial public administration services, Binh Duong ranked 16/63 provinces and cities, decreased by 0.98% and 12 places compared to 2022. Five localities receive the highest level of people's satisfaction with the general service of State administrative agencies: Quang Ninh, Thai Nguyen, Hai Duong, Ha Tinh, and Hai Phong.

Overview of the Conference announcing the PAR Index and SIPAS Index in 2023

PAR Index is a tool to monitor and evaluate administrative reform activities of ministries, ministerial-level agencies, People's Committees of provinces, and centrally run cities. At the same time, it helps ministries, agencies, and localities to analyze, compare, and identify the results and limitations in each content and task of administrative reform. From that, they find solutions to improve and increase the quality and effectiveness of annual administrative reform at their agency or unit.

The SIPAS index is an objective measure that honestly reflects the assessment results of people and organizations on the service of State administrative agencies through the provision of specific public administration services.

​The ceremony was attended by Mr. Vo Van Minh - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee (PPC); Mr. Ngo Minh Duong - Director of the Central Party Committee Agency; Mr. Ono Masuo - Consul General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City; Mr. Nguyen Van Loc - Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; Mr. Nguyen Van Hung - Chairman of the Board of Directors of Becam IDC Corporation.

Mr. Vo Van Minh - Chairman of the PPC 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 corporations.

The project has a scale of nearly 50 hectares and a total investment of more than 1 billion USD. The project is located between arterial roads including Binh Duong Avenue (National Highway 13), Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, and Ring Road 3 (Thuan Giao Ward, Thuan An City). The project includes shophouses, townhouses, compound villas, apartments, etc., along with a series of high-class amenities. The project is divided into 06 component projects, expected to pre-build important amenities including the Convention and Exhibition Center, AEON Shopping Center, 5-star hotels, and international and official inter-level schools. It will be officially introduced to the market in 2025.

Mr. Vo Van Minh - Chairman of the PPC presents the Decision of the PPC on approving the investment policy and investor of the One World project to Kim Oanh Group .

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Vo Van Minh - Chairman of the PPC said that the One World housing construction investment project has been approved by the PPC for investment policy according to the provisions of Decision No. 25/QD-UBND dated January 9, 2024. This is a large-scale project in terms of area and investment capital, which has an important location in Thuan An City, Binh Duong province. Its goal is to become a highlight of the urban area, forming a model residential area, where people can easily access a full range of high-quality amenities and services.

The Chairman of the PPC believed that with the experience and potential of Kim Oanh Real Estate Group Joint Stock Company and reputable investors from Japan, the project would ensure progress, quality, and good technology, contributing to changing the appearance and landscape of Thuan An City in particular and the southern urban area of the province in general. The provincial government commits to accompany, support, and create the most favorable conditions within the legal framework throughout the process of developing, constructing, and operating the project.

Project investment cooperation signing ceremony between Kim Oanh Group and three partners Sumitomo Forestry Group, Kumagai Gumi Group, and NTT Urban Development Co., Ltd.

Signing ceremony of cooperation to develop a commercial center at the project between Kim Oanh Group and AEON Viet Nam Co., Ltd.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Ono Masuo - Consul General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City, emphasized that in this cooperation project in Binh Duong province, the combination of four corporations will jointly develop large-scale urban areas, contributing to building a sustainable city and supporting carbon neutrality, with the primary goal of contributing to the realization of a prosperous society through providing accommodation that is both safe and of good quality. At the same time, the project will contribute to helping Binh Duong province achieve its goal, which is to build an environmentally friendly smart city.

On this occasion, Kim Oanh Group signed a project investment cooperation agreement with three Japanese partners including Sumitomo Forestry Group, Kumagai Gumi Group, and NTT Urban Development Co., Ltd. Kim Oanh Group also signed a cooperation agreement to develop a commercial center at the project with AEON Viet Nam Co., Ltd.

​The session was attended by Mr. Nguyen Van Danh - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee (PPC); Associate Professor, Dr. Ho Thi Thu Hoa - President of Viet Nam Logistics Institute; Mr. Scott Wang - Vice President of Asia – Pacific World Trade Centers Association (WTCA), and leaders of departments, branches, and Becamex IDC Corporation.

Develop logistics into a key economic sector

Over the past years, Binh Duong has taken advantage of its geographical location, and invested in building synchronous and increasingly perfect transportation infrastructure. The rapid development of industry and trade - services has created a strong driving force to push Binh Duong to become one of the leading localities in the country in logistics service development.

Up to now, Binh Duong has upgraded, expanded, and invested in its system of logistics centers and transportation in terms of scale and service quality, meeting the needs of storage and transshipment to serve domestic trade and export of goods of businesses in the province and region.

Overview of the dialogue session.

At the dialogue session, delegates were interested in infrastructure, advantages, development orientation of the logistics industry, as well as the vision for promoting the modern industrial ecosystem of Binh Duong province.

Ms. Huynh Dinh Thai Linh - Director of World Trade Center (WTC) Binh Duong, a member of Binh Duong Provincial Logistics Association, said that Binh Duong had formed a chain of regional logistics service links with an infrastructure system including 15 large-scale logistics centers, with 03 ICDs and 01 international railway station serving import-export of goods. It has also formed 10 river ports, 21 warehouses, 19 bonded warehouses, and 02 active CFS warehouses to serve production activities in industrial zones and clusters and perform the function of distributing and exporting goods to localities in the region.

The delegates attend the dialogue session.

According to Ms. Huynh Dinh Thai Linh, Binh Duong views logistics services as one of the important and key economic sectors in the province's development strategy for the period 2024-2030, with an orientation to 2045; contributing to shifting the proportion of services in the economic structure to 28% by 2025.

Specifically, logistics development aims at regional connectivity, orienting Binh Duong to become a satellite center, a place to gather goods and concentrate logistics services to serve goods production activities in industrial zones and clusters in the area.

Ms. Huynh Dinh Thai Linh - Director of WTC Binh Duong and member of Binh Duong Provincial Logistics Association shared at the dialogue session.

In addition, the province has also developed infrastructure synchronously with industrial-urban-commercial infrastructure, traffic infrastructure, and transportation, turning the province into an important logistics hub of the region. Binh Duong has been focusing on diversifying logistics products and services, improving the quality of existing services, researching and developing high-quality services on digital platforms, and artificial intelligence, and connecting everything to create a continuous logistics chain.

In the coming time, Binh Duong will organize training for professional human resources with sufficient logistics expertise to meet international integration requirements.

This is also a solution to promote logistics service businesses to innovate and create, providing service chains at 3PL, 4PL, towards 5PL - Electronic Logistics based on the modern, effective, and professional development of e-commerce and supply chain management.

Focus all resources on developing the logistics system

Regarding the issue of the potential development of the logistics ecosystem in Binh Duong, Associate Professor, Dr. Ho Thi Thu Hoa - President of Viet Nam Logistics Institute affirmed that as it possessed the advantage of geographical location along with the rapid development of industrial parks, Binh Duong was considered a very "fertile" land for logistics businesses. With the advantage of a strategic location, strengths in industrial development along with urban infrastructure, transportation, and industrial zones and clusters planned for synchronous development, Binh Duong has all the favorable conditions to develop and become a service, industrial, and science-technology support center of the Southeast and the Southern region.

In particular, the logistics industry has full internal potential to become one of the important and spearhead economic sectors of the province, a driving factor in promoting Binh Duong's socio-economic development in the future.

Associate Professor, Dr. Ho Thi Thu Hoa - President of Viet Nam Logistics Institute speaks at the dialogue session.

In the coming time, Binh Duong needs to prioritize the development of logistics workforces in the direction of focusing on digitalization and supply chain management skills, meeting the sustainable development needs of logistics investors coming to Binh Duong.

Experts also discussed workforce development, and digital transformation in logistics as well as the province's support and incentive policies to attract investors to develop logistics in a "green", professional, and diverse logistics service.

Experts discuss related issues.

Speaking at the dialogue session, Vice Chairman of the PPC Nguyen Van Danh said that in the draft Planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, Binh Duong has set a goal and orientation for developing the Logistics industry to become one of the main growth pillars of the entire Trade - Service industry of the province.

By 2050, it will strive to become a major logistics service center of the entire region and the Southern region, directly linked internationally with 05 basic value platforms, including A diverse warehouse system ready for various types of goods from industry and e-commerce; Multi-modal transport infrastructure, connecting seamlessly to localities and airports, seaports in the region; Fast and flexible transportation with diverse types of transportation for different types of goods; automating and digitizing processes through the application of "internet of things" network technology, AI in operating and managing goods circulation processes, and route control; intelligent monitoring system during transportation.

With the above goals and orientation of developing the logistics service industry, Binh Duong urgently needs the attention and support of relevant ministries, branches, and ideas from experts, associations, industries, sectors, and enterprises who are directly doing business in the field of logistics inside and outside the province. Thereby could help Binh Duong develop specific plans and solutions to develop an effective and sustainable logistics industry, improve value and competitiveness, and soon form a cross-border logistics service supply chain with high-quality services.

Mr. Nguyen Van Danh - Vice Chairman of the PPC speaks at the dialogue session.

Vice Chairman of the PPC Nguyen Van Danh affirmed that Binh Duong was committed to always creating the most favorable conditions for domestic and international logistics service businesses to study, research, and invest in business.

Currently, Binh Duong plans and allocates land funds in convenient traffic locations to form regional and regional logistics centers. In addition, it actively supports businesses in improving the quality of human resources, applying technology, connecting with businesses in the supply chain, and promoting trade in logistics services. The province also supports and ensures smooth movement of goods and logistics activities, reducing costs for businesses, etc.

​At the meeting, Secretary Nguyen Van Loi thanked Prof. Tao Yitao, and the delegation of CCSEZR, for participating in the Horasis China Meeting 2024 in Binh Duong over the past two days.

He also expressed his joy at the strong and positive development trend of Viet Nam - China relations over the past time, especially when the two sides established a new level, i.e., "Viet Nam - China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership", agreeing to build a "Strategic Viet Nam - China shared future community".

Secretary Nguyen Van Loi welcomes Prof. Tao Yitao - Director of CCSEZR.

The Secretary said that at the moment, Binh Duong is investing in infrastructure development, especially transport infrastructure, logistics, and eco-industrial parks; diversifying to attract foreign investment from potential markets and partners, focusing on the world's leading developed countries and transnational corporations that possess advanced technology and modern management levels, with priority given to attracting investment in high-tech industries, semiconductor chips, green energy, green economy, circular economy, etc., aiming at the goal of sustainable development.

Binh Duong province highly appreciates the contributions of Chinese investors and businesses to the local socio-economic development in recent times.

The Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee hopes that with her role, Prof. Tao Yitao would promote educational cooperation and training in new, potential, and strong industries of China, as well as provide scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students from Binh Duong to study in China.

Secretary Nguyen Van Loi presents a souvenir to Prof. Tao Yitao.

On behalf of the delegation, Prof. Tao Yitao thanked Binh Duong Province for giving her and the delegation of CCSEZR an opportunity to participate in the Horasis China Meeting 2024. Recently, the delegation had a tour of industrial park infrastructure, as well as cultural facilities in Binh Duong province, and worked with Becamex IDC Corporation. This activity has opened up many new cooperation opportunities.

Prof. Tao Yitao said that CCSEZR is the only academic research base for humanities and social sciences approved by the Ministry of Education of China. It has now become an academic consulting agency in the field of research on special economic zone issues with important influence both domestically and internationally.

She hoped that in the coming time, the two sides would cooperate in research and implementation in more diverse fields, including the issue of training high-quality human resources, contributing to supporting Binh Duong province to develop in accordance with the civilized, modern and "greening" orientation that the province has set out.

The delegates take a group photo.

On the same afternoon, Mr. Vo Van Minh – Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee (PPC) received the delegation of CCSEZR.

Discussing with the delegation, Mr. Vo Van Minh - Chairman of the PPC said that the province has 4.265 projects invested by 65 countries and territories with a total registered capital of 40,6 billion USD. Especially, China is one of the largest investors in Binh Duong.

Mr. Vo Van Minh - Chairman of the PPC welcomes the delegation of CCSEZR.

Over the past time, the relationship between Binh Duong province and Chinese localities and partners has been continuously improved. Binh Duong Province established friendly cooperative relations with Guangzhou City (in 2013) and is actively developing friendly cooperative relations with Henan Province (China).

Overview of the meeting.

The Chairman of the PPC highly appreciated the role of Chinese businesses and localities, those who have always accompanied the province's development.

Mr. Vo Van Minh - Chairman of the PPC presents a souvenir to Prof. Tao Yitao.

At the same time, he hoped to receive more support and cooperation from CCSEZR and Chinese businesses so that the friendly cooperation relationship between Binh Duong and Chinese partners could be consolidated and developed, contributing to strengthening the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Viet Nam and China.

The delegates take a group photo.

​The survey was participated by the Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Hoang Thao; the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee (PPC) Nguyen Loc Ha; the Chaiworman of the Provincial Viet Nam Fatherland Front Committee Nguyen Thi My Hang and leaders of departments, branches, and Di An city.

Provincial leaders listen to units report on the project to upgrade and expand Song Than Intermodal station

Song Than Station is the largest cargo terminal in the South, carrying out international freight transportation to China and Europe. Therefore, it plays a particularly important to the Southern Key Economic Region. In 2023, the volume of goods transported through Song Than station reached 1.6 million tons, expected to reach 3.2 million tons by 2030. The Ministry of Transport has agreed to upgrade Song Than station into an international intermodal station. However, according to standards and requirements, it lacks the warehouse area for services. Therefore, the Viet Nam Railway Authority wishes Binh Duong province to support site clearance and handover of public land encroached upon by people to upgrade and expand the station, meeting the needs of an international intermodal station.

Currently, Song Than Intermodal Station has a transport capacity of about 1.7 million tons/year

Speaking at the survey, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Van Loi affirmed the special significance and importance of Song Than station to the economy of Binh Duong province in particular and the whole region in general. Therefore, the province determined that this is a key project, and it is necessary to continue to accelerate the upgrade and expansion so that the project will soon promote economic efficiency.

The Secretary of the Provincial Committee requested Di An City soon clear the ground and allocate land to the Viet Nam Railway Authority to implement the project of upgrading and expanding the station. The Department of Transport and the Viet Nam Railway Authority study and update the planning to have facilities to expand the transport infrastructure of the area and build urban clusters,  trade, and services around Song Than International Intermodal Transport Station.

Binh Duong province's Department of Customs and Saigon Railway JSC report to provincial leaders on the transport capacity of Song Than Intermodal station

The Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee requested branches and levels of the province to closely coordinate with the Viet Nam Railway Authority to promptly remove difficulties and obstacles. Particularly, the implementation of upgrading and expanding Song Than station must have a specific plan, roadmap, and implementation time, which cannot be extended any longer due to the urgency of this project.

The session was attended by Mr. Mai Hung Dung – Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee (PPC), Mr. Pham Ngoc Thuan – General Director of Becamex IDC, representatives of leaders of the provincial departments and branches, leaders of businesses and investors.

Develop a sustainable investment environment

Sustainable development of the investment environment is one of the important factors in combining reasonably and tightly factors of the economy, society, and environment. From there, a new perspective of business and production activities will be opened, and it is ensured that the natural ecosystem will not be harmed. We need to prevent and enhance the "resistance" of the province, especially those provinces where industry is the main driving force of development and has a large economic openness like Binh Duong.

After a long period since the re-establishment of the province, Binh Duong has effectively transformed the economic development model towards industry-urban-service with 29 industrial parks and 12 industrial clusters in operation, and it proves the success of the policy of "spreading a flower mat to welcome investors" along with the determination and companionship with the province's businesses. Binh Duong is continuously in the leading group of the country in attracting investment and rapid growth with high quality in most economic sectors creating a large source of revenue for the province's budget.

Overview of the special session

In that situation, the work of creating a business environment and attracting investment is always paid attention to by Binh Duong province. Until now, Binh Duong has ranked third in the country (after Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi) in attracting foreign investment capital with 4.266 projects with a total registered capital of about 40.6 billion USD. The number of registered enterprises in the area is currently about 67.613 with a total registered capital of about 743.000 billion VND.

Sharing Binh Duong's future development orientation, Mr. Mai Hung Dung – Standing Vice Chairman of the PPC said that in recent years, the province's economy has been greatly affected by political conflicts in Western countries, and the supply chain of goods has been disrupted due to increasing strict standards of import and export in many markets. However, Binh Duong province is always consistent with the viewpoint "The difficulties of businesses are also the difficulties of the Provincial Government, and the success of businesses is the success of the province, too". From there, it is necessary to constantly pay attention and take many measures to remove difficulties and obstacles for businesses, however, this is only a temporary measure.

To help the province promote its potential and advantages in the Southeast region, Mr. Mai Hung Dung – Standing Vice Chairman of the PPC said that the province is creating a fair investment environment with high advantages compared to other provinces, and the province will promote internal potentials and resources in the following years and the coming period. The province focuses on maximizing the potential and development advantages associated with the 4 economic growth drivers.

Delegates attend the special session

It is necessary to promote the potential and advantages of geographical location, promote regional connectivity, and focus on cooperation and development with provinces in the region, especially bordering localities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, and Binh Phuoc to create a unified economic space, overcome bottlenecks, mobilize maximum resources from all economic sectors, combine capital between the Central and localities, promote the attraction of FDI projects, and take advantage of ODA capital, private capital and other legal capital sources to develop economic, socio-cultural, information technology and urban infrastructure. The aim is to focus on developing the province's key transport infrastructure such as Ring Road 3, and Ring Road 4 projects, Ho Chi Minh City - Chon Thanh Expressway, etc., and to connect localities in the Region to the airport (Tan Son Nhat, Long Thanh), seaport (Cai Mep - Thi Vai). Besides, it is necessary to develop Song Than station (Di An) into a key freight transportation center of the Southeast region, and goods transported by railway from Binh Duong will connect with China and other regional and international countries.

At the same time, industrialization and modernization are developed to associate with the development of a new industrial-urban service model.

In addition, Binh Duong province has been implementing a strategy to develop Smart Cities and Innovation Regions. In particular, the key development orientation is the fields of innovation, application of industrial achievements 4.0, smart management, and sustainable development.

Mr. Mai Hung Dung – Standing Vice Chairman of the PPC delivered a speech at the Special Session

Another priority direction is developing transport infrastructure to motivate direct investment into the province's overall economy. In the new stage, the province focuses on building a cross-border logistics center (Binh Duong New City) connecting to Long Thanh International Airport and International Transshipment Ports in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province and Ho Chi Minh City. It needs to strongly and synchronously develop the national logistics system, identify Song Than station as the international intermodal freight transit center of the entire South (rail transport), and connect with important economic corridors and Inter-regional trade routes from Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh, Nhon Trach (Dong Nai) - Phu My (Ba Ria - Vung Tau). It is necessary to complete the transport infrastructure system connecting trade with international border gate economic zones in Tay Ninh and Binh Phuoc provinces.

In the trend of globalization and international integration, an economy that wants to grow quickly and at a high level must rely on at least three basic pillars: applying new technology, developing modern infrastructure, and improving the quality of human resources. In particular, the most important driving force of sustainable economic growth is people, especially high-quality human resources. That means people who are invested in development, skills, knowledge, workmanship, experience, and creative capacity to become "a source of capital - human capital". The province has focused on training and developing high-quality human resources and creating a synchronous economic development with pillars of economy - society - environment.

"The world's development trends are always changing and constantly updated, therefore, to make Binh Duong a place with a stable production and business environment, healthy, open and transparent investment activities, and sustainable development in the future. I look forward to receiving consensus among all levels, sectors, the business community, and dynamic and modern investors together to build Binh Duong province into a place worth living, civilized, sincere" - Mr. Mai Hung Dung - Standing Vice Chairman of the PPC emphasized.

Transform the industrial park model to suit the trend

At the meeting, representatives of Becamex IDC presented Binh Duong's potential in the industrial development and innovation ecosystem. Accordingly, from 2016 to 2021, many activities to promote science and technology to serve the Smart City Project have created advantages in many aspects of society.

Industrial Park of Science and Technology is considered a model that seamlessly integrates the functions of industrial parks, science and technology parks, and university clusters combined with livable urban development to attract high-quality human resources. The goal of the Industrial Park of Science and Technology is to develop an innovative ecosystem and to create conditions to promote knowledge, technology, and innovative ideas to create new means of production to apply in businesses.​

Representative of Becamex IDC introduced the innovative ecosystem of Binh Duong

The Singapore model startup support center - Block 71 SG invested by the National University of Singapore and Becamex Corporation is located in Ho Chi Minh City. It helps to connect the innovative startup ecosystem in two localities and to create a premise to connect ecosystems globally.

During the Special Session, businesses asked questions related to Binh Duong's investment environment as well as the orientation for building industrial parks in the near future. At the same time, it is hoped that when Chinese businesses come to Binh Duong to invest, they will have high-quality human resources to meet the needs of businesses.

Businesses asked questions about Binh Duong's investment environment at the Special Session

To attract industrial parks in the direction of greening, Mr. Nguyen Ba Khai - Vice Head of the Binh Duong Industrial Zones Authority said that in the coming time, the work of attracting investment into the province's industrial parks will have a shift towards specialization, ecology, and intelligence to create new attraction. Therefore, existing industrial parks and new industrial parks need solutions to improve competitiveness and attractiveness to take advantage of increasing demand.

Mr. Pham Ngoc Thuan - General Direction of Becamex IDC delivered a speech at the Special Session

From the perspective of an industrial park developer, Mr. Pham Ngoc Thuan - General Director of Becamex IDC said that in the direction of innovating the development model of Becamex, the smart-ecological industrial park is considered one of the important and inevitable new ecosystems to complement the existing Industry - Urban - Service model and also to support investors best.

"It is necessary to upgrade existing industrial parks to become smarter. With the ability to provide 4.0 technology platforms such as artificial intelligence, big data, etc., that helps businesses easily convert to the smart factory model, smart production to increase labor productivity" - Mr. Pham Ngoc Thuan - General Director of Becamex IDC affirmed.

​On behalf of the provincial leaders, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Van Loi would like to thank and welcome Mr. Wei Hua Xiang - Consul General of China in Ho Chi Minh City, and the business delegation to visit, courtesy greet provincial leaders and attend the event of Horasis China Meeting 2024.

Mr. Nguyen Van Loi - Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Delegation of the Provincial National Assembly, and Mr. Wei Hua Xiang - Consul General of China in Ho Chi Minh City exchanged views at the reception

Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Van Loi expressed his excitement at the strong and positive development trend of Viet Nam-China relations over the past time, especially since the two sides established a new position, raising the level to "Viet Nam-China comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership". He hoped to continue receiving close support and cooperation from the Consulate General of China in Ho Chi Minh City so that the friendly cooperation between Binh Duong Province and Chinese partners is increasingly strengthened and developed.

Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Van Loi shared with the delegation the economic and social situation of Binh Duong, along with the economic development orientations of the province, the areas that the province is prioritizing to call for investment such as education, healthcare, high technology, etc. These are areas where Chinese businesses have a lot of experience.

Mr. Nguyen Van Loi - Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Delegation of the Provincial National Assembly, and Mr. Wei Hua Xiang - Consul General of China in Ho Chi Minh City exchanged views at the reception

In response to the information shared by the Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, the Consul General of China in Ho Chi Minh City Wei Hua Xiang thanked the warm welcome of the leaders of Binh Duong province. The Consul General expressed his impression of the development of Binh Duong province. Over the past time, Binh Duong has always created favorable conditions for Chinese enterprises investing in the province's operation and development. He hoped that in the coming time, provincial leaders would continue to pay attention, support, and help Chinese enterprises investing in Binh Duong and support the establishment of branches of Chinese industry associations in the province to promote the role of a bridge to help Chinese enterprises operate effectively in the coming time.

Delegates take group​ photos.

The Opening Ceremony was attended by Mr. Tran Hong Ha - Deputy Prime Minister; 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); Dr. Frank-Jürgen Richter - President of Horasis; Mr. Nguyen Van Hung - Chairman of Becamex IDC Corporation, as well as representatives of ministries, central departments, provinces, cities, domestic and international associations and businesses.

Binh Duong - the convergence of "Horasis Meetings"

Through four times of organizing the Horasis Meetings, i.e., the Horasis Asia Meeting in 2018, 2019, 2023, and the Horasis India 2022, Binh Duong has left a good impression in the hearts of international friends of a dynamic, friendly, and peaceful Binh Duong, which is an attractive destination for investors.

Following that success, Binh Duong province has prepared full conditions to organize the Horasis China Meeting 2024. In 2023, Binh Duong was honored as Smart Community - Top 1 ICF 2023 with recognition from a team of expert judges from many regions around the world. With the success of applying the triple helix model and flexibility, the province has strongly promoted innovation, humanity, and efforts to serve the community in building Binh Duong Smart City.

Leaders of the government and Binh Duong province attend the Meeting's Opening Ceremony

Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of the Meeting, Mr. Vo Van Minh - Chairman of the PPC emphasized that Horasis is a prestigious international investment promotion organization, with the purpose of finding and promoting solutions to the most important challenges facing multinational corporations and businesses. This is also a place to connect potential and responsible investors who are leaders and managers with an extensive vision to jointly solve urgent and important problems in production and business associated with its national and global impact.

Mr. Tran Hong Ha - Deputy Prime Minister (2^nd from the right) presents flowers to congratulate the Meeting

In the series of events taking place at the Meeting, Chinese politicians and businessmen in particular, and Asian and global businessmen in general, will jointly exchange and discuss core issues from the perspective and support of the Asian community and global partners. Horasis China Meeting 2024 is truly a great opportunity for entrepreneurs and the business community to access development strategies, and capabilities of production management and expand vision.

In particular, through the Meeting, Binh Duong province hopes to find important solutions, make friends with investors, and strengthen new partners to promote economic increasingly dynamic development. Besides, the province will also expand, improve international integration, and effectively serve the process of industrialization and modernization to soon realize the goal: Building and developing Binh Duong province into a smart, civilized, and rich urban area, bringing a prosperous, happy life and a better future to the people in the area.

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

With 6 plenary sessions and 24 parallel discussion sessions, the Meeting had the presence of politicians, managers, businessmen, and scholars around the world. They would meet and discuss joint concerns such as Global mobility, economic development issues, etc. Accordingly, they would together find solutions for a sustainable future. The Meeting will have in-depth discussions on artificial intelligence, supply chain, e-commerce, innovation, etc., to link business development with innovation and continuous development of education.

Sharing information at the Opening Ceremony, Mr. Johnathan Choi - Chairman of Sunwah Group (China) said that with the attractive investment environment over the past time, Sunwah Group would research and expand investment in Viet Nam including Binh Duong in the fields of innovation, high technology, and digital transformation. At the same time, Sunwah Group hoped to have extensive cooperation with Becamex IDC to implement more practical projects including investing in modern infrastructure in Binh Duong, supporting the province in implementing modernization, and building smart cities in the coming time.

Open up new trends of the era

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Tran Hong Ha - Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that Binh Duong is one of the most dynamic and creative localities, especially in terms of infrastructure development and attracting foreign investment. Binh Duong will open a new era in attracting investment that is choosing smart and wise investors towards the goal of sustainable development. Chinese and international investors and Binh Duong will contribute to building Binh Duong into a worth-living place with diverse cultures so that when mentioning Binh Duong, everyone would think of an ideal place for investors with green space and an unpolluted environment.

The Deputy Prime Minister expressed his enthusiasm for Binh Duong's sustainable development orientation with green energy, renewable energy, smart energy, and effective policies. The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that beyond the above development orientation, digital transformation is the shortest way for Binh Duong to reach out to the world, and meet the trend of integration and economic restructuring. The province is also a convergence of those who dare to think and do.

Mr. Tran Hong Ha – Deputy Prime Minister delivers a speech at the Opening Ceremony

The Deputy Prime Minister said that Binh Duong needed to build a smart city model through digital transformation, promoting digital government, digital economy, and digital society development.

He highly appreciated the co-organizers of the Horasis China Meeting 2024. He believed that the Horasis China Meeting 2024 would create opportunities for all parties to share visions, seek opportunities and strengthen cooperation in innovation, sustainable development of science and technology, and promoting the spirit of "seizing new opportunities to develop together comprehensively".

Delegates perform the opening ceremony of the Horasis China Meeting 2024

The Meeting is not only a good opportunity for Binh Duong to promote the image of the province in particular and of Viet Nam in general to international friends, but this is also an opportunity for businesses to study and choose Binh Duong as an attractive, reliable investment destination, a worth living and developing place in the long term. The Deputy Prime Minister expressed his hope that the Meeting would open a new era for Binh Duong province in implementing digital transformation, developing green energy, sustainable development, becoming a smart city, and building the most effective space for investors.

This is also an opportunity for the Governments, localities, and businesses of the two countries to continue the themes of innovation and green energy. The Vietnamese Government commits to always listening, understanding, and creating good mechanisms and solid confidence for investors. The Deputy Prime Minister hoped that through the Meeting's dialogue sessions, there would be initiatives to help the Government participate globally.

Granting signed cooperation agreement between the PPC and Viettel Post

Granting investment resolutions of the Ring Road 4 project and the Ho Chi Minh City-Chon Thanh Expressway project

The PPC grants 9 decisions approving investment policies and investment registration certificates

At the ceremony, the Binh Duong PPC granted investment approval policies and investment certificates to several typical projects in the province. The PPC also granted a Cooperation Agreement between the Binh Duong PPC and Viettel Post JSC in the fields of infrastructure development, logistics services, and e-commerce. Becamex IDC Corporation and Sunwah Group also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on exchange and cooperation in various fields. They especially focused on the fields of innovation, digital transformation, technology development, and sustainable development and aimed to Net Zero.​

MOU signing ceremony between Becamex IDC Corporation and Sunwah Group

​The delegation was also welcomed by Mr. Nguyen Van Danh - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee (PPC) and leaders of provincial departments, and branches.

On behalf of the delegation, Mr. Xiong Meng expressed his pleasure to visit Binh Duong province and attend the Horasis China Meeting 2024.

Informing the provincial leaders, Mr. Xiong Meng said that CFIE has more than 300 different associations, and members of the Federation are all large domestic and foreign corporations and enterprises, covering all industrial sectors of China with many different industries, including infrastructure investment enterprises and industrial park development.

Previously, the delegation met Becamex IDC Corp. and was very impressed with its effective business strategy. Mr. Xiong Meng said that the two sides had similar activities and were looking for suitable items for investment cooperation.

Mr. Xiong Meng thanked the provincial leaders for creating conditions for Chinese enterprises to meet with departments, committees, branches, and enterprises of Binh Duong province to study about future investment.

Overview of the meeting.

Talking to CFIE, Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Van Loi said that the Horasis China Meeting 2024 in Binh Duong province was meaningful to the province. Currently, China is one of the major investors in Binh Duong.

Besides, the relationship between Binh Duong and Chinese localities and partners has constantly improved. Binh Duong province has established friendly cooperative relations with Guangzhou city (in 2013) and is actively developing friendly cooperative relations with Henan province (China).

Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Van Loi presents a souvenir to Mr. Xiong Meng - Vice Chairman and Secretary General of CFIE

Sharing about Binh Duong province's investment attraction orientation, the Secretary welcomed CFIE's interest and investment plan in Binh Duong. The province encouraged Chinese enterprises to expand investment cooperation in their strong areas, as well as areas that Viet Nam needs, such as artificial intelligence, green economy, circular economy, new energy, transportation services, infrastructure construction, electronic components, etc.

Binh Duong province highly values and appreciates the positive contributions of Chinese enterprises to the local socio-economic development over the past time. Binh Duong is ready to create favorable conditions for Chinese corporations and enterprises to expand investment.

The delegates take a group photo.

​Exchange, connection, and investment cooperation

With its location and role as the Northern gateway of Ho Chi Minh City, over the past 27 years, Binh Duong has become a province with rapid industrialization and urbanization development in the region.

The province is always considered one of the leading localities in Viet Nam in terms of socio-economic development and in the speed of attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). The province's gross regional domestic product  (GRDP) always achieves a fairly high growth rate compared to the average growth rate of the country. The province's economic structure has shifted positively towards gradually increasing the proportion of services and industry.

To enhance brand promotion and attract investment, Binh Duong has made efforts to complete the socio-economic infrastructure system, and industrial parks, improve the investment environment, and improve the quality of the workforces. At the same time, it has actively cooperated with foreign partners to develop and implement the Smart City and Innovation Region Project. Besides, the province has promoted digital transformation towards building a digital government, digital economy, digital society, creating a new ecosystem to promote development following the trend of the 4^th Industrial Revolution.

In recent years, Binh Duong has diversified to attract foreign investment from potential markets and partners, focusing on the world's leading developed countries and transnational corporations that possess advanced technology and modern management levels. The province has been especially interested in organizing investment promotion activities, including organizing international conferences gathering many enterprises and partners from developed countries, including China.  

Following the success of previous Horasis Meetings, in 2024, the People's Committee of Binh Duong Province continues to coordinate with Horasis and the China Federation of Industrial Economics (CFIE) to organize the China Horasis Meeting 2024. The Meeting, which plays an important role in facilitating rapidly expanding trade and investment between China and Viet Nam, is especially expected to contribute to promoting investment cooperation activities between Binh Duong and Chinese localities and enterprises.

​The Horasis China Meeting 2024 will be an opportunity to meet, connect, and cooperate in investment between enterprises. Photo: Experts and scientists from many countries attend the Hoarasis Meeting in Binh Duong.

Based on the results achieved in investment cooperation over the past time, the Horasis China Meeting 2024 will create opportunities for organizations and enterprises in Binh Duong to meet, connect, and access new knowledge, vision, and advanced technologies with the participation of large organizations, associations, and enterprises such as CFIE, China Center for Special Economic Zone Research, Belt and Road Research Institute for International Cooperation and Development, Sunwah Group, Manwah Group, World Trade Centers Association (WTCA), etc.

Mr. Mai Hung Dung – Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee (PPC), Deputy Head of the Steering Committee for organizing the Meeting affirmed that the Meeting will be a favorable opportunity for managers and the Binh Duong enterprise community to exchange and connect with a network of senior leaders, especially the founders, presidents, and general directors of leading companies in Asia and China, improving the ability to find new opportunities and partners, jointly develop management capacity, science and technology levels, promote trade, attract investment, expand cooperation between Viet Nam, Asia, and the world. It will also create an important foundation to continue contributing to the socio-economic breakthrough program and developing the "Binh Duong Smart City Project".

Prepare the best conditions

The Horasis China Meeting 2024 will be organized in the form of a world economic forum and is expected to include 6 plenary sessions, 21 dialogue sessions, and side events. In particular, the Plenary Sessions focused on the topics: Globalization; Spreading Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG); Nurturing Creativity and Innovation; Dynamism of Business; Global Economic Outlook, etc.

Dialogue sessions are held in parallel with the main topics: Supply Chain Integration; Entrepreneurs and Soft-skills; Trade Flows Across Asia; Routes to Clean Power; Infrastructure investing in China; Investment now & in future; STEM Education for Growth; Awareness of Digital Access; Enhancing Asian Development; Investing in Viet Nam; China and Energy Transition; Industry 4.0; Female Employment Opportunities; Smart City Transitions; Future of Innovation Clusters; Digitalized High-Value Added Firms; Developing VC Market; Joint Innovation; SMEs at center of business.

In particular, Binh Duong will have 02 sessions at the Meeting including: "Investment Opportunities in Binh Duong" and "Logistics and E-commerce Development in Binh Duong". The working sessions will focus on analyzing the province's potentials, advantages, and limitations and proposing specific solutions for Binh Duong to continue to develop sustainably and participate in the global supply chain.

The opening ceremony of the meeting will be held on the morning of April 15, 2024, at the Binh Duong Convention and Exhibition Center, with the participation of leaders of the Government, Ministries, branches, and localities of Viet Nam and the Horasis community, Chinese organizations and enterprises.

Preparations for organizing the Horasis China Meeting 2024 in Binh Duong have basically been completed for the opening of the Meeting

Ms. Ha Thanh - Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DOFA) said that preparations for the Meeting are being carried out seriously and urgently. DOFA and related departments, and branches are closely coordinating with Becamex IDC Corp. in every step and stage of preparation for the Meeting. The goal is to show the image of Binh Duong province as friendly, hospitable, integrated, secure, and safe.

Before the China Horasis Meeting 2024, from April 03 - April 05, 2024, the working delegation of Binh Duong province led by Mr. Vo Van Minh - Chairman of the PPC visited, worked, and promoted investment in Henan and Guangdong provinces (China). The working trip has special meaning, contributing to tightening cooperative relationships with localities and Chinese partners.

The provincial leaders' delegation works and promotes investment in Henan province, China

Chairman of the PPC Vo Van Minh - Head of the Steering Committee for organizing the Horasis China Meeting 2024 affirmed that this year's Horasis Meeting set higher requirements for the quality of guests and discussion content to improve the effectiveness of brand promotion and investment attraction of the province. He requested each department, branch, and unit to carefully prepare to welcome guests including leaders of the Party, State, Government, ministries, localitiess, and enterprises; additional participants in the Meeting sessions to include scientists, economic experts, and university students, simultaneously organize activities such as awarding investment licenses, press conferences, vivid visual propaganda, paying special attention to security and order, fire prevention and fighting, etc. to ensure the Meeting takes place successfully.

​The Forum was attended by Mr. Vilayvong Butdakham - Secretary cum governor of Champasak Province, Mr. Leklay Sivilay - Secretary cum governor of Sekong Province; Mr. Nguyen Van Danh – Vice Chairman of the Binh Duong Provincial People's Committee (PPC), as well as leaders of localities of Viet Nam and Laos.​

The representatives attend the "Trade, Investment, and Tourism Cooperation Forum promoting the East-West Economic Corridor and Cambodia - Laos – Viet Nam Development Triangle".

Recently, Viet Nam, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand have coordinated to implement many cooperation programs to promote the development of the East-West Economic Corridor and the Cambodia - Laos – Viet Nam Development Triangle area. At the same time, in recent years, the Party, State, and Government of Viet Nam have always attached importance to the role of the East-West Economic Corridor and Cambodia - Laos – Viet Nam Development Triangle area, prioritizing resource allocation to promote the implementation of cooperation content.

Vietnamese localities have also actively deployed investment in infrastructure connecting traffic, seaports, logistics, investment promotion, trade, and tourism with localities in Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand, actualizing the East-West Economic Corridor and Cambodia - Laos - Viet Nam Development Triangle.

Mr. Nguyen Van Danh - Vice Chairman of Binh Duong PPC speaks at the Forum.

At the Forum, leaders of the provinces of the countries gave presentations to inform and promote the potential and strengths of cooperation in promoting the fields of trade, investment, and tourism so that competent agencies and businesses of each side's industry can research and develop plans to implement cooperation contents following the needs and strengths of each country.

On behalf of the leaders of Binh Duong province, Vice Chairman of the PPC Nguyen Van Danh presented a presentation on the development potential as well as the development orientation of Binh Duong province in the coming time, the situation of attracting foreign investment in Binh Duong, the cooperative relationship between Binh Duong province and localities of Laos, Cambodia, etc.

This is a meaningful activity to strengthen the friendly relations between Viet Nam, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand in general, and the special relationship, solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries Viet Nam and Laos in particular, through the implementation of foreign affairs activities on the occasion of Bunpimay festival of the Lao people.

​​The program was attended by Ms. Emily Hamblin – British Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City; Mr. Mai Hung Dung - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee (PPC); Mr. Nguyen Van Hung - Chairman of the Board of Directors of Becamex IDC Corp., as well as leaders of departments, branches, and EIU.

Energy optimization

The program was organized to share the green energy technology development and the research orientation to optimize the use of renewable energy and create an opportunity to exchange knowledge between Binh Duong and experts in sustainable energy development.

The delegates meet and exchange at the program.

At the program, Mr. Mai Hung Dung – Standing Vice Chairman of the PPC said that recently, Binh Duong has always considered innovation and sustainable development as two important criteria in the province's development orientation.

Binh Duong has been implementing integrated planning with a vision for 2050, promoting the development of a new generation, green, and smart industrial park model, aiming to build a Science and Technology Industrial Park model. This is a destination for businesses that are technology and knowledge-intensive, environmentally friendly, attract high-quality workforces, promote research and development, encourage testing and application of new technology in the industry, create maximum conditions for business development, support innovation in production and business, aiming to apply new technology solutions to breakthrough and sustainable development.

Overview of the program.

According to Mr. Mai Hung Dung, the discussion program "Collaboration on Green Energy Transition and Energy Optimization in Binh Duong in 2024" is not only a demonstration of the support and willingness to test and apply new technology in Binh Duong province but also an opportunity to improve capacity, learn from experience in the field of green energy conversion and optimize sustainable energy use. The specific implementation of sustainable energy and energy storage infrastructure systems along with collaborative research and technology transfer to optimize energy use will be the initial foundation for widespread application on a larger scale throughout Binh Duong province.

The Standing Vice Chairman of the PPC Mai Hung Dung speaks at the program.

At the program, the experts highly appreciated the efforts of Viet Nam in general, and Binh Duong in particular, to convert energy, protect the environment, and mitigate climate change through a green, smart development orientation, selectively attracting high-tech investors and specific projects.

Dr. Nguyen Huu Phuoc Nguyen - CEO of Selex Motors said that green and renewable energy development is playing a key role in countries' sustainable economic development. Not an exception to that trend, the Vietnamese Government has also introduced many policies and strong commitments to promote the use of clean energy and develop an environmentally friendly economy.

 ​

Dr. Nguyen Huu Phuoc Nguyen - CEO of Selex Motors shares in the program.

According to Dr. Nguyen Huu Phuoc Nguyen, to promote the potential of renewable energy, it is necessary to promote cooperation between countries in removing barriers, including intellectual property rights barriers to enhance knowledge sharing and promote cooperation in scientific research, development, and transfer of renewable energy technology. Policy plays an important role in promoting the energy transition process, so there needs to be appropriate mechanisms and policies to encourage the business community to increase investment in renewable energy, as well as promote energy transition. Along with that, the goals of developing renewable energy, achieving net zero emissions, and reducing air pollution need to become criteria for making investment decisions and developing energy projects.

Sharing about the opportunities and challenges of energy transition in Binh Duong, Dr. Melvyn Daniel Flitman – Founder and CEO of HSS Restoration Asia Group emphasized that Binh Duong needs to set its goals and aims high to create a driving force to accelerate energy transition. The province must learn from other countries' experience in green energy development, including the UK, in a selective way to apply in accordance with the characteristics of Binh Duong, promoting sustainable development.

He said that Viet Nam must calculate real potential, complete the legal system and specific mechanisms and policies, especially capital sources for technology investment, or policies to help businesses promote innovation.

Dr. Melvyn Daniel Flitman – Founder and CEO of HSS Restoration Asia Group shares in the program.

Besides, it is necessary to focus on promoting stronger global actions, commitments must be accompanied by specific measures and call for cooperation and sponsorship from foreign organizations, partners, and investors.

Solve energy challenges

At the program, the partners also officially announced the pilot VIETPULSE technology testing and green transformation research and development cooperation project at EIU, which is a bridge for cooperation on energy solutions to help solve environmental problems and promote green initiatives.

VIETPULSE project is suggested to solve basic problems in renewable energy use in Viet Nam, such as grid imbalance, and instability in energy supply to users.

After officially installing the necessary infrastructure for the project such as Solar battery systems, electric vehicle charging stations, energy storage battery systems, and 2-way motorbike battery exchange stations. Q-Energy, EIU, and partners will collaborate to implement the project. Specifically, research and implement energy management systems to optimize electricity consumption and optimize the installation of renewable energy systems; research to use Big Data and AI technologies to coordinate resources used in the same basic infrastructure complex; research and build an energy sharing model between units, then deploy it on a larger scale such as in industrial parks and residential clusters.

Dr. Ngo Minh Duc – President of EIU emphasized that in the province's smart city development strategy, Becamex IDC Corp. has played a pioneering role, creating a foundation to support and promote the development based on innovation and science-technology, in which, EIU is a core element and a center for training, research, application and technology transfer. EIU will always be ready and look forward to cooperation opportunities with domestic and international technology businesses and start-ups to solve practical problems of society and businesses. "Smart Energy Trading Platform for Upgrading Energy Storage and Electric Vehicle (EV) Adoption" is the first step in the collaboration project between EIU and Q-Energy (UK).

Dr. Ngo Minh Duc – President of EIU speaks at the program.

Dr. Ngo Minh Duc believed that the success of this project would be significant and contribute to solving energy challenges. It would be a great chance for parties to study each other's orientations and efforts in energy transition toward sustainable development. At the same time, it would open cooperation opportunities between Becamex in general, EIU in particular, and British organizations and businesses. These are also the strategic implementation steps for building smart and green industrial park models, towards the future Science and Technology Industrial Park model of the province.

Ms. Emily Hamblin – British Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City highly appreciated the pioneering actions of Becamex IDC Corp. towards a greener and more sustainable future.

According to Ms. Emily Hamblin, green energy has become a big focus in Viet Nam – UK cooperation relations in recent years. The UK Government considers cooperating with Viet Nam and supporting the country in energy transition as a top priority. As Vietnam receives more attention from international investors, the energy transition, especially in the fields of production, is meaningful and inevitable. With the advantage of being an academic and research center, EIU is one of the typical models in terms of innovation and technology on this journey.

Ms. Emibly Hamblin - British Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City speaks at the program.

"The Smart grid is an advanced concept that might be part of the solution for energy systems around the world. However, this technology is still quite new in Viet Nam. The pilot implementation will certainly facilitate faster adoption and commercialization of this solution." Ms. Emibly Hamblin said.

The delegates take a group photo.

The meeting was connected online to 09 districts, towns, and cities.

Regarding the results of Set of Indicators 766, according to the updated results of the National Public Service Portal on April 8^th, 2024, Binh Duong Province achieved 79.86 points and was ranked 5/63 provinces and cities (from April 1^st to April 8^th, 2024).

Regarding the results of the district-level Set of Indicators 766, Thuan An, Di An, and Tan Uyen cities are ranked excellent and reach over 90 points. The lowest is Bau Bang district with 83.87 points. Up to now, 17 departments, agencies, and branches have announced 161 internal administrative procedures.

Overview of the meeting

Regarding digital transformation, the provincial IOC system has connected the databases of 4/6 vertical agencies and 8 APIs with the Executive Information Center of the Government, the Prime Minister, and 19/19 departments and branches. Binh Duong Province has deployed 03 specialized OCs including environment, 1022 (reflecting the people and 115), and public services. At the same time, the province has also deployed a forecast analysis platform and made forecasts on budget revenue and expenditure, industry, and health. In addition, 206 open data sets have been collected, standardized, and published to serve people and businesses on the open data portal and application Binh Duong No.

Delegates discuss at the meeting

The administrative procedure handling system of Binh Duong Province continues to provide 100% online public services and focus on essential and popular services, etc.

Regarding Project No.06, in the first quarter, the Provincial Public Security coordinated with units to implement utility groups to solve administrative procedures and provide online services. In particular, 25 essential public services of Project 06 have been in the framework and 23/25 essential public services have been implemented, the rate of receiving online applications in the first 3 months of the year reached nearly 93%.

At the same time, the province has deployed utility groups to serve socio-economic development and effectively applied in many fields to bring convenience to people in handling administrative procedures.

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

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Vo Van Minh – Chairman of the PPC said that administrative reform, digital transformation, Project No.06, and smart city of the province in the first quarter had positive changes. However, in the Set of Indicators 766, the documents synchronized to the National Public Services Portal, the group of achieved transparency indicators has still been low. Therefore, departments, branches, and localities need to pay attention to direct. The Chairman of the PPC requested leaders of branches and localities to focus on improving the spirit, service attitude, and ethics of the team of officials who receive and handle administrative procedures. Regarding Project No.06, the province will continue to promote full and partial online public services implementation and focus on speeding up the progress of updating employee information. Regarding smart cities, it is necessary to specify solutions for implementation soon and assign the Department of Foreign Affairs to present solutions to reduce 50% of the time of administrative procedures for APEC businessmen to support foreign investors. The Chairman of the PPC requested 4 localities that do not have information about establishing the IOC Center to speed up the establishment process, provide training on community digital transformation, and prepare steps to establish the Information Technology Park and the Provincial Digital Transformation Center.

​The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the Provincial People's Council Nguyen Van Loc; the Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee (PPC) Mai Hung Dung and leaders of departments, branches, and localities.

The economy and culture continue to develop

Reporting to the provincial leaders, Mr. Nguyen Trong An - Deputy Secretary of Ben Cat Town Party Committee, Chairman of Ben Cat Town People's Committee said that in the first quarter of 2024, the town has focused on disbursement of public investment capital with a total capital source in 2024 of more than 438 billion VND, disbursement value to date is more than 75 billion VND, reaching 17.16% of the plan; compensation and site clearance received attention and drastic direction: in the quarter, compensation was paid for 397 dossiers with an amount of 489 billion 644 million VND for 02 key projects in the area.

The work of overcoming and beautifying spontaneous housing areas is focused on and directed: in the town, there are 59 areas, the PPC approved the policy of 02 areas and handed over authority to the locality to review and resolve 57 areas. Up to now, the Town People's Committee has approved the policy of overcoming 37 areas and removing 09 areas from the list of spontaneous housing areas; approved plans to overcome 09 areas; basically completed infrastructure investment in 05 areas; basically completed remediation of 03 areas.

Overview of the meeting

During the quarter, the town attracted 132 investment projects, bringing the total number of projects in the town to date to 6,734 projects. At the same time, it has submitted to the province for consideration and recognition that Phu An commune meets model new-style rural standards in 2023.

Budget revenue and expenditure work achieved positive results. Total State budget revenue in the area reached more than 1,809 billion VND (reaching 44% of the estimate assigned by the province). Total local budget revenue reached 432.5 billion VND (41% of the provincial estimate). Total local budget expenditure reached more than 233 billion VND (reaching 22% compared to the provincial estimate).

The town is focusing on preparing for the ceremony to announce the Resolution of the National Assembly Standing Committee on the establishment of An Dien ward, An Tay ward in Ben Cat town and the establishment of Ben Cat city, Binh Duong province; and receive the First Class Labor Medal.

For key projects, the town is implementing projects according to the set schedule such as the Project of upgrading and expanding road DT.748, the section from the intersection of Phu Thu crossroads to North My Phuoc town Ring Road; the Project of upgrading and expanding the road from DH.606 to North My Phuoc Ring Road; Project of upgrading and expanding road DT.744 through Ben Cat town.

To speed up the implementation of projects, Ben Cat town proposed to the Provincial Party Committee, Provincial People's Council, and PPC to consider adjusting policies, adjusting projects, and allocating enough capital to clear compensation for the project of upgrading and expanding road DT.748, the section from the intersection of crossroads to North My Phuoc ward Ring Road to create motivation for local economic development based on the approved general planning.

The road to the Administration Center of An Dien commune is the connecting road between two arterial roads, DH.606 and North My Phuoc Ring Road, the current road surface is narrow and uneven, the road structure is mainly red dirt roads, and there is no drainage system, many sections are seriously eroded, and in general, the traffic infrastructure is not complete, causing difficulties in the operation and development of commune administrative agencies, especially during the period when the town is upgraded to a city. Therefore, the Town People's Committee recommended that the Provincial Party Committee and PPC consider and approve the project to upgrade and expand the road from DH.606 to the bordering North My Phuoc Ring Road as a basis for implementing the next steps.

Pay attention to building a happy living environment

At the meeting, representatives of the provincial departments and branches discussed the results achieved as well as difficulties and problems and proposed proposals from the town to have solutions to solve and create conditions for Ben Cat town to develop further in the coming time.

Mr. Pham Trong Nhan - Director of the Department of Planning and Investment highly appreciated the town's investment capital disbursement in 2023. Regarding the town's proposal related to providing additional capital to upgrade some roads, Mr. Pham Trong Nhan said that the Department will coordinate with units to try to review capital sources to advise the PPC for consideration and approval. He also suggested that Ben Cat town review all planning to quickly adjust accordingly before integrating with the provincial planning to avoid difficulties in adjusting later.

Mr. Pham Trong Nhan - Director of the Department of Planning and Investment speaks at the meeting

Regarding environmental protection on Thi Tinh River, Mr. Ngo Quang Su - Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment said that in the near future, the Department will review all enterprises in the town to accurately assess waste discharge volume, and at the same time request investors of industrial parks to invest in additional wastewater treatment systems, ensuring that wastewater flow meets further standards before discharging into the environment. Regarding the town's land fund, the Department will review the land fund to arrange resettlement areas for projects and works to ensure stable people's lives and create conditions for urban beautification.

Mr. Ngo Quang Su - Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment speaks at the meeting

Noting the town's recommendations, the Standing Vice Chairman of the PPC Mai Hung Dung requested Ben Cat to specifically study the urgency and scale of the Project to upgrade and expand the road from DH.606 to the North My Phuoc Ring Road to submit to the Provincial Party Committee, People's Council, and People's Committee for consideration and approval of the policy. They must review and completely resolve people's feedback and recommendations related to flooded points on road DT.744 to ensure people's lives, focusing on calling for the socialization of rural traffic roads in the town.

Standing Vice Chairman of the PPC Mai Hung Dung speaks at the meeting

Through the opinions of the units, Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Van Loi congratulated Ben Cat on preparing to go to the city. At the same time, he emphasized that Ben Cat must focus on building an urban area that is truly worth living.

They should proactively review plans and make early adjustments to integrate with the province's General planning; review urban targets that still have low achievement rates to focus on overcoming; and focus on solving difficulties for enterprises. Along with that, they must take good care of social security, especially poor and disadvantaged households; maintain security and national defense; and pay attention to the work of building​ a truly strong Party, political system, and government in the town. Besides, they should review all waste sources of enterprises in the area and invest in building an automatic wastewater monitoring system to improve the quality of State management of the environment.

Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Van Loi speaks to conclude the meeting

It is necessary to prepare all conditions to organize the Ceremony to announce the Resolution of the National Assembly Standing Committee to establish An Tay, An Dien wards, and Ben Cat City in a solemn, meaningful, economical, and truly safe manner. The Department of Planning and Investment coordinates with localities to balance and advise the province to allocate capital sources for localities to complete projects on schedule.