Improve competitiveness, accompany businesses

Taking business and people's satisfaction as a measure of reform, Son La province has continuously improved the business investment environment, especially the competitiveness index (DDCI Son La) - a tool that directly reflects the management quality of each agency and unit.

Yen Chau Shoe Factory, Yen Chau Commune.
Photo: PV

The Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) 2024 announced by the Vietnam Confederation of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) on May 6, 2025 shows that Son La has 6/10 PCI component indexes increasing in score, including: Market entry; transparency; fair competition; business support policies; labor training and legal institutions. 4/10 indexes decreased in score, including: Land access; time costs; informal costs and dynamism.

Mr. Dao Van Quang, Deputy Director of the Provincial Center for Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion, said: The conference announcing the results of "Competitiveness Index at the department, branch and district levels of Son La province in 2024" pointed out the strengths and weaknesses that need to be overcome. After the conference, the Center coordinated with Economic Management Consulting Joint Stock Company (Economica Vietnam) to organize training courses to enhance specialized capacity for departments, branches, business associations, Women's Union, Cooperative Alliance, Tay Bac University... On that basis, the units have developed a plan to improve DDCI in 2025 with specific solutions, time, and clear assignment of responsibilities.

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Up to now, 12 units, including the Departments of Industry and Trade; Culture, Sports and Tourism; Science and Technology; Agriculture and Environment; Finance; Justice; Home Affairs; Construction; Education and Training; Health; Customs Branch of Region VII - Son La Customs; Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department (Provincial Police) have issued a plan to improve DDCI in 2025.

The DDCI 2025 improvement plan of departments and branches all aims to reduce informal costs, shorten the time to process procedures, promote digital transformation, improve transparency and fair competition. In particular, focusing on implementing the entire qualifying procedure online; publicizing processes, fees and charges; organizing periodic dialogues with businesses, cooperatives and business households; promoting digital transformation in management, bidding and licensing; building a model to support small and medium enterprises, especially enterprises owned by women, ethnic minorities and people with disabilities.

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The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism leads the DDCI rankings in 2024, thanks to information transparency, improved procedures, and increased interaction with businesses in the field of culture and tourism. Mr. Tran Xuan Viet, Deputy Director of the Department, shared: In 2025, the Department will focus on 8 indicators, including: Transparency; IT application and digital transformation; informal costs; time costs; fair competition; support for production and business; institutional effectiveness; green growth and sustainable development, while ensuring gender factors in management and operation. Publicize 100% of administrative procedures, promote the provision of online public services at levels 3 and 4, and strive to process over 90% of all online records.

The Department of Finance has developed a plan to improve competitiveness, focusing on gender and inclusive development. Identifying increasing and decreasing indicators to propose appropriate solutions. The Department focuses on improving informal costs, fair competition, institutional effectiveness, and time costs; promoting online public services, reducing 30% of the time it takes to process documents; strengthening guidance for businesses to complete documents before submitting them, avoiding multiple additions. The Department will coordinate with specialized units to organize training programs for businesses, prioritizing groups owned by women, ethnic minorities, disadvantaged groups, or those employing many female workers. Organizing 2 dialogue conferences/year to remove difficulties and answer questions for businesses.

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Ms. Cam Thi Mon, Director of Aratay Coffee Cooperative, Muong Chanh Commune, shared: Thanks to the province's efforts to improve the investment environment, especially supporting vulnerable groups in accessing policies, our cooperative has had more favorable conditions in registering businesses, accessing preferential loans and participating in training courses on digital transformation and building product brands. The quick procedures and enthusiastic guidance from staff have helped us feel secure in expanding production and creating more jobs for local women.

With the determination of the Provincial People's Committee to lead and closely supervise, DDCI Son La 2025 will create a new step forward, a foundation for building a dynamic, transparent, and investor-friendly Son La. All plans are aimed at the goal of taking the satisfaction of people and businesses as the center.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/cai-cach-hanh-chinh/nang-cao-nang-luc-canh-tranh-dong-hanh-cung-doanh-nghiep-Qwy4dHCHg.html