Revealing the top 5 localities in the PCI competitiveness index before the merger

The Vietnam Confederation of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) has just announced the 2024 Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI 2024). This is also the last time the PCI is announced for all 63 provinces and cities, before the process of rearranging provincial administrative units takes place at the end of this year.

According to VCCI Chairman Pham Tan Cong, the PCI index is not simply a ranking but also a powerful administrative reform tool, a place where businesses speak out in practice, and a place where the government listens and acts.

He said that in the context of Vietnam's target of 8% GDP growth in 2025, the role of PCI is like a "policy radar", helping to detect bottlenecks and invisible barriers early, thereby creating a transparent, favorable, safe and fair investment and business environment.

In this year's rankings, Hai Phong rose to the top position for the first time with 74.84 points, up 4.5 points, up 2 rankings compared to 2023. This year is the first year Hai Phong leads the country in provincial competitiveness.

Other localities have also held high positions for many consecutive years, such as Quang Ninh (73.20 points), Long An (72.64 points), Bac Giang (71.24 points), continuing to be in the top of the rankings.

According to Mr. Cong, the PCI 2024 report shows a positive picture of improved economic management at the provincial level. Accordingly, the median score reached 67.67 points, up 1 point compared to the previous year and the eighth consecutive year exceeding the 60-point mark - the threshold considered to reflect a favorable business environment.

2024 is the last time PCI will be published with all 63 provinces and cities. According to Mr. Pham Tan Cong, this is a special time, marking the end of a long-term reform cycle and opening a new development phase, where operational efficiency and innovation will be the key driving forces.

VCCI said it will continue to accompany localities and the business community in the coming time, not only through PCI but also through new initiatives such as the Provincial Green Index (PGI). The Chairman of VCCI said that this is a tool to assess environmental governance associated with the goal of sustainable development and climate change adaptation, contributing to creating a "pair" of indicators that promote economic growth in tandem with environmental protection.

In addition to the PCI index, in 2024, Hai Phong will also lead the country in the Administrative Reform Index (PAR Index) with a result of 96.17%.

Provincial Competitiveness Index PCI 2024 (Photo: VCCI).

According to the report, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Hue, Da Nang and Can Tho are all listed in the group of 30 provinces and cities with the best governance quality in 2024 and the scores of these localities all improved compared to PCI 2023.

According to VCCI, the unit that conducts the annual PCI Report research, the relatively large difference in PCI scores between some provinces expected to merge reflects the gap in governance quality between localities.

Resolving these differences will be crucial to ensuring a smooth transition, continuing efforts to improve the business investment environment, and maintaining economic stability and growth in the coming period.

PCI 2024 shows positive changes in efforts to improve the business environment and promote the private economic sector - an important pillar for Vietnam's sustainable economic growth. PCI 2024 shows positive changes in efforts to improve the business environment and promote the private economic sector.

However, the PCI 2024 results also pointed out shortcomings that need to be overcome, especially land access, legal compliance costs and the decline in the dynamism of the local government apparatus.

To meet business expectations and development requirements in the new period, VCCI believes that authorities at all levels need to continue to promote institutional reforms, promote public-private dialogue and improve policy implementation efficiency.

In the context that Vietnam is entering a new development period with a GDP growth target of 8% in 2025 and double digits in the following years, VCCI believes that maintaining and improving the quality of economic management at the local level is an urgent and decisive task.

The report is based on the survey results of nearly 10,000 businesses nationwide. As usual, the PCI 2024 report publishes the rankings of the top localities in terms of economic management quality according to businesses' assessment.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/kinh-doanh/lo-dien-5-dia-phuong-dan-dau-chi-so-canh-tranh-pci-truoc-khi-sap-nhap-20250506140131390.htm