Ben Tre: Many growth indicators show positive results.

With the goal of "accelerating and reaching the finish line" to complete the socio-economic development plan for the 2021-2025 period, the industry and trade sector of Ben Tre province has proactively and decisively implemented tasks from the beginning of 2025, contributing to promoting the province's overall growth to over 8%.

Overview of the Sunpro wind power project in Binh Dai (Ben Tre).

  Industrial growth is projected to reach 13% in the first half of 2025.

In the first six months of 2025, units within the industry effectively implemented planned tasks, followed directives from leaders at all levels, closely monitored supply and demand and commodity prices, and promptly addressed difficulties for businesses. Industrial production value, total retail sales, and export turnover all increased significantly compared to the same period. The supply of goods was abundant, meeting consumer demand well, especially during holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year).

According to the Department of Industry and Trade of Ben Tre province, the value of industrial and handicraft production is estimated at VND 19,930 billion (at 2010 constant prices), an increase of 12.54% compared to the same period last year, reaching 44.69% of the annual plan. Of this, domestic enterprises accounted for VND 10,800 billion (an increase of 12.58%), and FDI enterprises accounted for VND 9,130 ​​billion (an increase of 12.49%). The industrial and construction sector continued to be the pillar of GRDP growth, reaching 12.46%; the service sector increased by 6.73%, laying the groundwork for the goal of achieving over 8% growth in 2025.

Regarding key industrial products, most achieved significant growth. Except for beer (down 8.43%) and aquatic feed (down 4.63%), the rest showed increases. Five out of fourteen products exceeded 45% of their targets, with Kraft paper (49.43%) and automotive wiring harnesses (47.69%) reaching their targets. Twenty-five new businesses and 50 new establishments were registered in the industrial and handicraft sectors, with a total investment of 260 billion VND, creating jobs for 400 workers.

Regarding investment in industrial clusters, localities are actively calling for infrastructure investment and mobilizing resources. The Phong Nẫm Industrial Cluster has been allocated 500 million VND to prepare for investment in a wastewater treatment system (total investment of 130 billion VND); the Provincial People's Committee has approved the overall planning adjustment and is finalizing the documentation in accordance with the Public Investment Law. The An Đức Town Industrial Cluster has been allocated 39.8 billion VND, implementing phase 3 with a total capital of 60 billion VND. The Tân Thành Bình Industrial Cluster has been allocated 93.5 billion VND, implementing infrastructure on an area of ​​5.52 hectares, with a total investment of 174.7 billion VND, expected to be completed within the year.

Industrial clusters such as Dia Dua (Mo Cay Nam), C2 (Thanh Phu), Phu Hung (Ben Tre City), Son Quy (Cho Lach), An Hoa Tay (Ba Tri), Binh Thoi (Binh Dai)... are continuing to call for investment in technical infrastructure. According to the Ben Tre Provincial Planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, the province will develop 14 industrial clusters, with a total area of ​​918 hectares. Currently, 7 industrial clusters have been established (267.94 hectares), 6 industrial clusters have detailed planning (249.4 hectares), of which industrial land is 177.89 hectares, 65.6 hectares have been leased, achieving an occupancy rate of 36.88%. 3 industrial clusters have already been invested in and are in operation. Currently, the province has 22 projects registered for investment in industrial clusters, with a total capital of VND 5,020.52 billion, creating jobs for approximately 9,453 workers.

Export turnover in the first six months of 2025 is estimated at US$966.2 million, an increase of 21.23% compared to the same period last year, reaching 50.06% of the annual plan. FDI enterprises achieved US$665.16 million in exports (an increase of 23.69%), while domestic enterprises achieved US$301.04 million (an increase of 16.13%). Exporting businesses generally experienced favorable conditions, with sufficient contracts and supply. Exported products showing strong growth included dried shredded coconut, coconut milk, coconut water, and fresh coconuts. Export prices for coconut products increased significantly compared to the same period last year. However, the coconut industry is projected to face difficulties in the last six months of the year due to rising raw material prices and scarce supply. Furthermore, the potential imposition of a 46% tariff by the US on imports from Vietnam will impact exports. Some businesses have imported dried coconuts from Indonesia to compensate for the shortage, but this is still not enough to meet demand. Therefore, the province is focusing on developing a sustainable Ben Tre coconut brand strategy.

Import turnover is estimated at US$262.6 million, an increase of 21.01%, mainly consisting of raw materials and components for production (textiles, electronics, leather bags, etc.) and fresh coconuts. The market and supply and demand of goods remained stable. Markets and supermarkets strictly adhered to price listing, with no speculation or hoarding occurring. Total retail sales of goods and services reached VND 36,700 billion, an increase of 5.71%, achieving 46.16% of the plan. Commercial electricity output is estimated at 1,110 million kWh, an increase of 4.05%, with the percentage of households using electricity reaching 99.98%.

Connecting reforms and investment in industrial infrastructure.

In 2025, administrative reform continued to be seriously implemented by the industry and trade sector, closely following the directives of the central government and the Provincial People's Committee. The Department of Industry and Trade advised on the issuance of 8 decisions announcing the list of administrative procedures; announced 16 new administrative procedures, amended and supplemented 10 administrative procedures, abolished 16 administrative procedures, and issued 4 decisions approving internal processes. The implementation of the one-stop and integrated one-stop mechanisms was ensured; 100% of eligible administrative procedures have provided online public services in full or in part, integrated into the national public service portal. The Department has implemented the evaluation of the results of resolving administrative procedures according to the set of indicators for serving citizens and businesses. At the same time, the province continued to decentralize and delegate the resolution of administrative procedures. The Department of Industry and Trade has been authorized by the Provincial People's Committee to issue electricity operation licenses in the province.

Mr. Nguyen Van Be Sau, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Ben Tre province, said that the department is focusing on implementing key tasks as directed by the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People's Committee, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade . These include continuing to effectively implement Program No. 08-CTr/TU; coordinating with localities to support investment and complete procedures for establishing new industrial clusters such as Phong Nam 2, Dia Dua, C2, An Hoa Tay…; and monitoring and supporting infrastructure in the Tan Thanh Binh, Phong Nam, and An Duc town industrial clusters to create favorable conditions for attracting secondary investment.

The sector also strengthened the management of market development, implemented the e-commerce development plan and digital transformation plan for 2025; coordinated the implementation of the "Vietnamese people prioritize using Vietnamese goods" campaign and the OCOP (One Commune One Product) program for the period 2021-2025. At the same time, the industry and trade sector monitored and supported investors in resolving obstacles in power projects, accelerating progress, especially in land clearance for 110kV projects.

In addition, the sector focuses on updating market information, supporting businesses in accessing economic information through newsletters, websites, and Zalo; promoting trade activities, conducting official inspections, and monitoring compliance with laws in production and business.

Improving the investment environment and enhancing competitiveness.

Mr. Duong Van Phuc, Director of the Ben Tre Provincial Department of Finance, said that in order to further improve the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) and create a favorable investment and business environment, the province is strengthening its leadership and management, consolidating the confidence of businesses and investors in the management apparatus from the provincial to the grassroots level. Attracting investment requires synchronized coordination among sectors and levels to improve each component index, especially those that declined in 2024.

Regarding the Market Entry Index, the Provincial People's Committee directed the improvement of the efficiency of the Public Service Team - a single-point model at the Investment Promotion and Startup Center, supporting businesses in resolving administrative procedures; promoting online and postal business registration; simplifying and publicizing administrative procedures; and proposing the abolition of outdated regulations. At the same time, the province continues to implement the assessment of competitiveness at the departmental, sectoral, and local levels; organize business startup training; and carry out state divestment and equitization of public service units according to plan. The province also issued criteria for prioritizing the selection of investment projects in industrial parks and clusters, focusing on environmentally friendly projects, advanced technology, high added value, and commitments to technology transfer.

Regarding the Land Access Index, the province directed efforts to strengthen the creation of clean land funds, accelerate compensation and land clearance for key projects, reform administrative procedures in the field of natural resources and environment; review and effectively manage public land funds; and publicly invite investment. At the same time, the province focused on allocating land, leasing land, and changing land use purposes for organizations, individuals, and businesses; coordinating dialogue and resolving difficulties for investors in accessing land and land clearance.

The Department of Industry and Trade will take the lead, coordinating with relevant departments and localities to review and effectively implement investment incentive policies for industrial cluster infrastructure, creating clean land funds to attract investment. The Industrial Park Management Board will organize the implementation of investment incentive policies for the construction and business of industrial park infrastructure; expedite procedures and implement investment in Phu Thuan Industrial Park infrastructure to attract secondary investors; coordinate with the Department of Finance to attract priority projects, create favorable conditions for projects that have been approved to be implemented soon; and review and revoke projects with slow progress to attract other potential investors.

Regarding the Transparency Index, the Provincial People's Committee assigned the Provincial People's Committee Office to take the lead in improving the quality of information provided on the provincial and departmental electronic portals; promptly updating socio-economic development plans and information to support businesses; thereby helping businesses access all the necessary information to serve their investment, production, and business activities.

Regarding the Time Cost Index, the Provincial People's Committee directed the Department of Science and Technology to guide and support departments, agencies, and localities in receiving and returning results of administrative procedures through public postal services. Administrative procedures are publicly available at http://motcua.bentre.gov.vn and other relevant websites. Simultaneously, the Department of Internal Affairs will take the lead in coordinating the implementation of the administrative reform plan and organizing surveys to assess the satisfaction of citizens and businesses.

Ben Tre province has also widely publicized a "hotline" and email address for receiving feedback through the media and its electronic portal to promptly receive and handle complaints about difficulties and harassment in resolving administrative procedures, contributing to improving the investment and business environment and enhancing the province's PCI index in the future.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/ben-tre-nhieu-chi-tieu-tang-truong-kha-quan-d312823.html