This appeal was made during the second session of the provincial People’s Committee’s September meeting, which assessed the province’s socio-economic development over the first nine months of 2024 and reviewed the progress of the public investment plan.

Lê Thành Đô, who also serves as Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, co-chaired the meeting alongside Vừ A Bằng, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee. The session was also attended by Giàng Thị Hoa, Standing Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People’s Council.

Reports highlighted that Điện Biên achieved significant socio-economic outcomes in the first nine months of the year, with a Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) growth rate of 8.33 per cent. The province saw its tourist numbers nearly double, reaching 1.95 times those of the same period in 2023. Total retail sales and service revenue (at current prices) were estimated at over VNĐ19.5 trillion (US$793.6 million), marking a 22.96 per cent year-on-year increase.

Additionally, the province's Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) improved by 31 places compared to 2022, and the 70th anniversary of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory was successfully and safely organised.

However, delegates at the meeting raised several challenges faced during the period. Budget revenues were notably low, projected to reach only 53.65 per cent of the target by the end of September. Revenues related to land use have yet to be realised, and the implementation of key projects has seen slow progress.

The number of forest fires significantly increased, with 22 more incidents than the same period last year. Ongoing infrastructure challenges in electricity and telecommunications continue, and the rates of poor and near-poor households remain high. Furthermore, there has been very slow progress in land allocation, forest allocation, and the issuance of forest land use certificates.

In 2024, the province was allocated a total of over VNĐ4.07 trillion ($165.6 million) for public investment, along with VNĐ560 billion ($22.7 million) from the central government’s contingency fund.

Additionally, over VNĐ481.3 billion ($19.5 billion) of the 2023 investment plan was authorised for disbursement in 2024. By the end of this August, the disbursement rate for public investment capital reached 34 per cent, with extended capital disbursement at 44.8 per cent.

For the medium-term public investment plan for the 2021-2025 period, over VNĐ20.2 trillion ($822 million) has been allocated, with an estimated disbursement rate of 85.2 per cent, including funds permitted to be extended. The projected capital demand for the 2026-2030 medium-term public investment plan is over VNĐ26.79 trillion ($1.09 billion).

The delegates agreed on the principle of prioritising capital allocation. This includes ensuring sufficient capital to pay off any outstanding construction debts incurred before January 1, 2015, as required by the Public Investment Law; sufficient capital to repay any advances on the investment plan; and ensuring funds for completed projects that have been handed over for use but lack adequate funding.

Capital should also be allocated for planning tasks and reviewing or adjusting plans in accordance with the Planning Law.

Speaking at the meeting, Đô emphasised the need for local authorities and sectors to enhance measures to boost economic growth in the final months of the year.

He also stressed the importance of achieving the goals for new rural development, reviewing the progress of forestry, macadamia, and fruit tree projects to ensure focused implementation, and paying close attention to disease prevention in livestock, poultry, and crops, as well as forest fire prevention.

In the industrial and construction sectors, investors were urged to accelerate the implementation of hydro-power projects, transmission grids, and substations, while completing procedures for renewable energy projects. Efforts are being made to facilitate the development of urban areas and housing by creating favourable conditions for investors.

Solutions to promote tourism development plans are being implemented, with a focus on community-based tourism and the preservation of historical sites. Regarding budget management, measures are being taken to boost revenue collection, including expanding the use of e-invoices generated from cash registers.  

Additionally, efforts are underway to maintain and improve the quality of culture, education, and training sectors, as well as to reassess poverty criteria and address employment needs for workers.

In public investment, Đô called for enhancing the accountability of project leaders. He urged a thorough review of the progress of each programme and project to establish detailed timelines.

There is a need to complete legal and administrative procedures, resolve land clearance issues, and advise the province on overcoming policy and regulatory hurdles.

Contractors are being encouraged to deploy more machinery and personnel, increase work shifts, and focus on accelerating the acceptance, payment processes, especially for projects with extended funding, he said.