Many strategic directions for the development of Dong Thap.

At the working session with the Standing Committee of the Dong Thap Provincial Party Committee (May 27), leaders of central ministries and agencies highly appreciated the socio-economic development results of the locality; and at the same time proposed many strategic directions and solutions to support the province's development in the new period.

Dong Thap Newspaper has summarized some of the opinions of leaders from central ministries and agencies at the working session.

MINISTER OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING HOANG MINH SON :

Building a quality education system linked to innovation.

We highly appreciate the achievements, policies, and goals for the development of general education in Dong Thap province.

The achievements reflect the special attention of the provincial leadership along with the great efforts of the local education sector. It must be affirmed that many key indicators of general education in Dong Thap are currently at a high level compared to the region and the whole country.

Regarding higher education and training of high-quality human resources, we believe that Dong Thap needs to continue paying more attention, especially in the context of its connection with the development of science , technology, and innovation.

Dong Thap currently has two universities within its territory, one of which is under provincial management.

We have observed that many localities have collaborated very effectively with universities to train human resources to directly serve the local area and support the resolution of socio-economic development challenges.

Therefore, the province needs to strengthen coordination with universities in scientific research, technology transfer, agricultural development, processing industry, fisheries, and innovation.

In particular, when building innovation and digital transformation centers, the province needs to leverage resources from universities. In fact, many localities have been successful in establishing innovation centers at universities or collaborating closely with training institutions to operate them effectively.

DEPUTY MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE PHAN THI THANG :

Expanding growth potential from the processing and export industries.

We assess that Dong Thap has many positive growth indicators. In particular, the two indicators of industrial production and domestic trade both showed higher growth rates than the national average.

Specifically for import and export, the province's export turnover increased by about 10%, lower than the overall increase nationwide.

Currently, many of the province's key economic sectors still focus on fisheries, fruits, textiles, etc. These are all sectors that are easily affected by fluctuations in the global market, technical barriers, and increasingly stringent standards from importing countries.

Therefore, the province needs to study response scenarios and develop specific solutions to support businesses and people in adapting to market fluctuations.

Dong Thap's industrial zones have been largely planned. This represents enormous potential for industrial development in the coming years.

We hope the province will focus on developing solutions to attract investors to industrial zones; and at the same time, attract businesses to invest in the deep processing of agricultural and aquatic products with high scientific and technological content, supporting production, cold storage, agricultural equipment, logistics, green industry, biotechnology, and by-products processed from catfish, rice, fruits, etc.

For agricultural products that are the province's strengths, Dong Thap needs to focus on solutions to increase added value instead of just exporting raw materials as it does now.

Regarding import and export trade and international economic integration, Dong Thap has been very proactive and responsive in promoting trade both domestically and internationally.

We suggest that the province continue to leverage this advantage; and at the same time, support businesses in understanding and effectively utilizing the incentives from the free trade agreements that Vietnam has signed.

The province also needs to support businesses in gradually shifting from informal to formal export channels, especially in border gate areas. The Ministry of Industry and Trade hopes that Dong Thap will focus on developing the border economic zone in a modern direction, becoming a transshipment center for goods in Dong Thap, the Mekong Delta region, and other southern provinces in trade with Cambodia.

DEPUTY MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BUI HOANG PHUONG

Restructuring digital infrastructure and fostering innovation.

The Ministry of Science and Technology has requested Dong Thap province to review its digital transformation planning and architecture; prioritizing the deployment of information technology systems, shared databases, and interconnected systems throughout the province.

Currently, Dong Thap still has quite a few internal, localized, and isolated systems. We propose that the province review, integrate, or discontinue those systems that are no longer necessary to avoid wasting resources.

At the same time, funding should be allocated to upgrade equipment that does not meet technical requirements; and to equip with licensed software, especially solutions to ensure information security and safety.

Failure to ensure information technology security poses numerous risks during the digital transformation process.

With its advantages in fruit trees, flowers, ornamental plants, and clean agriculture, the Ministry of Science and Technology is ready to cooperate with research institutes, universities, and businesses to support Dong Thap in proposing and implementing scientific, technological, innovation, and digital transformation tasks, especially in the field of agriculture.

The Ministry recommends that the province research high-yielding, high-quality crop and livestock varieties that are adaptable to climate change and saltwater intrusion. Simultaneously, it recommends researching and applying advanced technologies in the processing and preservation of agricultural and aquatic products; and developing production linkages along the value chain, connecting with businesses and markets.

However, for effective implementation, the province needs to proactively propose scientific and technological research topics that are suitable to the local conditions. The Ministry of Science and Technology and other relevant ministries and agencies are ready to cooperate and support the province in the implementation process.

The province plans to put the Innovation and Digital Transformation Center into operation from June 2026, but this is only the beginning. After its establishment, the center needs to proactively propose innovative solutions to address the socio-economic problems of the locality.

The Ministry of Science and Technology is ready to support Dong Thap in connecting networks of experts, research institutes, businesses, and investment funds to form an innovation ecosystem in the province.

DEPUTY MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT HOANG TRUNG :

Dong Thap improves the quality of agricultural products for export.

In the new context following the consolidation of administrative boundaries and the implementation of a two-tiered local government model, along with new strategies and policies from the central government, the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Dong Thap province needs to research and develop a Strategy for Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development for the period 2026-2030 and beyond, in line with the new situation and the general orientation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

The government has issued Decree No. 38 on the decentralization of management of planting area codes and packaging facility codes. Dong Thap currently has about 135,000 hectares of fruit trees; durian alone accounts for about 32,000 hectares, with a production of about 550,000 tons, ranking first in the country.

However, currently only about 26.3% of durian growing areas have been granted planting area codes. Without planting area codes, exporting will be very difficult.

Therefore, the province continues to implement Decree 38 decisively and comprehensively. Currently, the issuance and management of planting area codes and packaging facility codes have been fully decentralized to the local level, so the province needs to proactively organize effective implementation.

The province needs to focus on implementing Resolution 57 and the Ministry's policy on building a traceability system for agricultural and aquatic products. This is a very important requirement to increase product transparency, enhance the reputation and quality of goods, especially for export purposes.

The Ministry has issued specific guidelines and requests the province to direct relevant departments to coordinate closely with the Ministry for effective implementation.

Currently, Dong Thap province has a relatively high rate of violations related to the banned substance cadmium in exported durian, accounting for over 50% of the total number of violations nationwide.

If this issue is not handled properly, importing markets will implement stricter controls. The Ministry has been working directly with local authorities to find solutions.

The province is requested to continue to coordinate closely with the Ministry to resolve the issue completely, ensuring the reputation of the Vietnamese durian industry, enhancing competitiveness, product quality, and meeting the requirements of the export market.

HA NAM

(records)

Source: https://baodongthap.vn/nhieu-dinh-huong-chien-luoc-cho-phat-trien-dong-thap-a241438.html