What are the expectations for the 3rd year of DDCI?

Over the past two years, the Provincial Department and District People's Committee Competitiveness Index (DDCI) has generated significant interest, prompting each department and locality in the province to assess and improve the quality of economic management within their respective units. Currently, the peak period for preparing for the third year's DDCI announcement is being urgently implemented, with renewed expectations for this index.

Fabrication of wind turbine tower bases at PTSC Thanh Hoa Technical Services Joint Stock Company, Nghi Son Economic Zone. Photo: Minh Hang.

According to the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry - Thanh Hoa - Ninh Binh Branch (VCCI Thanh Hoa - Ninh Binh), in its third year of conducting the DDCI survey and assessment, the survey content still includes eight indicators: Transparency and access to information; Dynamism and the role of leaders; Time costs; Informal costs; Fair competition; Business support; Legal institutions; and Access to land. However, this year, VCCI will conduct the survey with approximately 7,000 businesses, cooperatives, and household businesses currently operating, producing, and implementing investment projects in the province. With nearly double the number of participating businesses and cooperatives compared to previous years, this will be a positive factor in ensuring the objectivity of the assessment results.

Furthermore, over the two years of implementing the DDCI assessment, businesses, cooperatives, and individual households have become aware of and understood the meaning and importance of this index for the benefit of each business. Mr. Do Dinh Hieu, Director of VCCI Thanh Hoa - Ninh Binh, shared: “The 2023 DDCI assessment will still be implemented through two methods: online and in person. Building on the experience of the previous two years, VCCI staff have been combining surveys with dissemination of information about the meaning and responsibilities of businesses participating in the assessment. From the survey results, it has been shown that business entities have clearly understood their rights when participating in the assessment, thus participating more responsibly and objectively, aiming for a credible result for the index.”

Along with the responsible participation of the business community, the spirit of reform has also spread widely across departments, agencies, and localities. Recently, all units have developed programs to improve this index. In particular, leaders at the grassroots level have taken decisive actions in leading and directing officials and employees to effectively carry out their assigned tasks.

VCCI Thanh Hoa - Ninh Binh officials are entering survey data.

For example, recently, although the 2023 DDCI Index has not yet been announced, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has already implemented measures early and set improving the DDCI competitiveness index as one of the key tasks of the sector in 2024. In collaboration with the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), analyzing and evaluating existing limitations and areas for reform, the Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Cao Van Cuong, requested departments and units under the department to review, adjust, and reduce overlapping and unnecessary inspections; promote administrative reform, strengthen the application of information technology, simplify administrative procedures, and improve the quality of management and capacity of officials and employees to meet the requirements of the new situation. In particular, he emphasized the proactive role and leadership of leaders in supporting and accompanying businesses and investors. Flexibility and creativity in problem-solving are emphasized by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Currently, VCCI officials are urgently preparing the survey questionnaires. According to the provincial business association's leaders, the DDCI results are one of the effective tools to provide a comprehensive picture of the investment and business environment. This makes businesses more hopeful for future policy improvements. With a vibrant emulation movement, this will be a breakthrough in administrative reform and improving the investment and business environment, affirming Thanh Hoa province's determination to continuously improve the quality of economic management comprehensively, fully meeting the legitimate needs of businesses and investors.

The 2023 DDCI Index is expected to be announced at the end of April 2024. According to the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), the significance of the DDCI lies not entirely in the ranking, but in the improvement of scores for each department, agency, and locality. In fact, in the second year of implementing the DDCI assessment in Thanh Hoa province (announced in May 2023), it has shown that most units in the departmental sector and about half of the units in the district and town People's Committees have increased their scores compared to the previous year; some units have seen a significant increase in scores. This demonstrates that the quality of governance of provincial-level departments and agencies and district and town governments has improved significantly according to the "scoring" of the business community.

Text and photos: Minh Hang

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/ddci-thanh-hoa/ky-vong-gi-o-ddci-nam-thu-3/207415.htm