Expectations for a breakthrough in 2024.

In 2023, Ninh Binh completed and exceeded 12 out of 15 key targets, with 10 targets being exceeded. The Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) in the province increased by 7.27% compared to 2022, ranking 23rd out of 63 provinces and cities, higher than the national average. Although some targets were not met, it still demonstrates the great efforts of the Party Committee, government, people, and business community, creating confidence for breakthroughs in the new year and throughout the term.

A multifaceted economic landscape

In 2023, the global economic situation continued to be complex and unpredictable, with a slow global economic recovery... negatively impacting our country. In this context, with the efforts of the entire political system and the business community, Ninh Binh remained steadfast in its proposed growth scenario. The Provincial Party Committee unanimously agreed on the view of focusing intensely and resolutely striving to achieve the highest possible levels for socio-economic development goals and targets; proposing adjustments to raise the targets for indicators that can be exceeded.

Staying steadfast in meeting targets is challenging due to the influence of unpredictable and unforeseen factors.

At the same time, based on practical experience, new, important strategic viewpoints, goals, and tasks have been set forth; clearly demonstrating a spirit of daring to think and act, high determination, and great effort to overcome difficulties and challenges in order to ensure long-term development goals, for the development of the province and the country. With sound policies, the province's socio-economic situation continues to achieve many positive and comprehensive results, basically achieving the overall goals set, completing and exceeding 12 out of 15 main targets (including 10 targets that were completed exceeding expectations). The Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) of the province in 2023 is estimated at VND 53,389.76 billion, an increase of 7.27% compared to 2022, ranking 23rd out of 63 provinces and cities, higher than the national average; GRDP per capita is estimated at VND 88.03 million.

It can be seen that, despite the overwhelming difficulties, the province's economic picture still has some bright spots. Industrial production is gradually recovering, especially in the last months of the year; it has overcome the significant negative impacts from the general international and domestic situation, achieving positive growth with industrial production value increasing by 1.51% compared to 2022. Although the growth rate is not large, it is a very encouraging result given the general difficulties of the global and domestic situation.

Agriculture continues to affirm its pivotal role, with the GRDP of the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sector increasing by 2.86% compared to 2022; the production value per hectare of cultivated land reached 155 million VND, exceeding the plan by 1.3%. The construction of new rural areas (NRA), advanced NRA, and model NRA continues to achieve positive and comprehensive results, exceeding the set targets. To date, all 119/119 communes and 8/8 districts and cities have met the NRA standards and completed the NRA construction tasks; including 50/119 communes meeting the advanced NRA standards, 18/119 communes meeting the model NRA standards, and over 430 villages and hamlets recognized as model NRA standards...

In particular, the service sector played a crucial role as a driving force for the province's growth in 2023, with GRDP increasing by 13.23% compared to 2022, marking the second consecutive year of double-digit growth. In 2023, total retail sales of goods increased by 36.7% compared to 2022; all 12 commodity groups showed high growth compared to the previous year. Tourism continued to recover and develop strongly, with increasingly improved service quality, remaining among the top 15 destinations and the top 10 provinces with the highest number of visitors nationwide. In 2023, over 6.5 million visitors were welcomed, an increase of 76.4% compared to the same period, exceeding the annual plan by 22.5%; revenue reached nearly 6,380 billion VND, almost double that of the previous year and exceeding the annual plan by 23.8%.

Despite the achievements, Ninh Binh's economic landscape still has some dark spots. Notably, three key economic development indicators—GRDP growth rate, state budget revenue, and total export turnover—failed to meet targets. This is due to the complex and unpredictable global political and economic situation, which caused shortages and delays in the supply of raw materials, leading to higher prices; reduced purchasing power in both domestic and international markets, resulting in a lack of new orders for businesses; and increased inventory levels. These factors significantly impacted the province's industrial development and import-export activities. Businesses had to cut jobs, reduce working hours, and scale down production, resulting in the growth rate not meeting targets.

Total export turnover decreased by 1.7% compared to the same period last year, reaching 96.2% of the annual plan. This also contributed to the decrease in budget revenue compared to the same period last year and fell short of the projected target. Total state budget revenue in 2023 reached VND 18,425.7 billion, achieving 82.3% of the projected target. Furthermore, the absorption of capital by economic sectors remains weak, especially in the real estate sector.

Expectations for a breakthrough in 2024. — Tourists visiting Trang An. Photo: Minh Duong

Stay committed to your chosen goal.

Although the results achieved are not yet as complete as desired, the Party Committee, government, and people of the province have the right to believe and expect a strong breakthrough for the ancient capital region with a thousand years of history in 2024, creating momentum to achieve the socio-economic development goals and targets for the five-year period (2021-2025).

Accordingly, we will continue to thoroughly understand and implement the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress and the Resolution of the 22nd Provincial Party Congress in a timely and effective manner. We will focus on seriously and effectively implementing solutions to promote growth and economic recovery, successfully achieving the set goals and targets, especially those targets that were unanimously adjusted at the mid-term review conference of the Resolution of the 22nd Provincial Party Congress, term 2020-2025, to suit the actual situation.

Ninh Binh is focusing on implementing major, strategic goals and tasks that will shape its development for many future periods, reflecting the great aspirations of the Party Committee, government, and people of the province. The central focus is to develop Ninh Binh into a relatively prosperous province in the Red River Delta region by 2030, essentially meeting the criteria for a centrally-governed city; and to become a centrally-governed city by 2035.

Based on that, Ninh Binh continues to steadfastly pursue socio-economic development goals in the direction of "Green, sustainable and harmonious"; economic development goes hand in hand with social equity and progress. The specific goal that Ninh Binh province aims for is to become a model of harmoniously combining heritage restoration and preservation with development;

To shape the characteristics and functions of a millennium heritage city, a creative city; a national and international tourism and cultural industry center; to establish a leading position and a crucial link connecting the network of heritage sites and creative cities in the region and inter-regions, nationally and internationally, and to deeply integrate into the network of UNESCO-certified heritage cities worldwide. To research, review, report, and propose to the Central Government the issuance of policies, mechanisms, and guidelines for Ninh Binh province to successfully implement the above tasks.

Nguyen Thom

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