Decentralization and delegation of power in the industrial and commercial sector: Clear changes

(Chinhphu.vn) - After nearly 4 months of implementation, decentralization and delegation of power in the field of industry and trade has helped localities increase their initiative in managing industrial and trade development, allowing them to decide on issues close to the reality of each locality.

Mr. Pham Thanh Trung, Deputy Director of the Legal Department ( Ministry of Industry and Trade ) - Photo: BTC

When organizing the two-level local government model, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has developed and submitted to the Government for promulgation Decree 139/2025/ND-CP and Decree 146/2025/ND-CP to decentralize and delegate authority in 22 areas of state management of the industry. From July 1, 2025, 208/401 tasks and powers (accounting for 52%) will be decentralized to localities; at the same time, 37 tasks will be assigned from district to commune level and 7 tasks will be adjusted to provincial level. The Ministry also publicly announced 263 administrative procedures that have been decentralized, delegated and delegated authority, with a system of appendices, forms and specific instructions.

To support implementation, on June 18, 2025, the Minister of Industry and Trade issued Decision 1739/QD-BCT on the plan to implement the above decrees. In early July, the Ministry continued to issue a decision to send 34 officials leading departments and divisions to 34 localities to directly grasp the situation, support in removing obstacles and guide the implementation of the new model. This is an approach described by the Ministry as "pioneering", aiming to narrow the gap between policy making and implementation.

Increase initiative and flexibility

At the seminar "Implementing decentralization and delegation in the field of industry and trade: Synchronous-accompanying-effective solutions" organized by Industry and Trade Magazine on the morning of November 7, Mr. Pham Thanh Trung, Deputy Director of the Legal Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade), said that there are 4 most prominent points in the implementation of decentralization and delegation in the industry and trade sector in recent times.

Firstly, decentralization helps localities increase their initiative in managing industrial and commercial development, allowing them to decide on issues relevant to each locality.

Second, the effectiveness of inter-sectoral coordination is improved when departments, branches and sectors can discuss and handle issues locally instead of having to ask for central opinions as before.

Third, problems arising on the spot are resolved more quickly because the local authority has been assigned.

Fourth, localities have the conditions to focus on areas of their own strengths such as minerals, logistics or seaport services.

Mr. Trung assessed that the localities were "unanimous and resolute in their actions", despite the large workload and the requirement to receive many new specialized fields in a short time. However, there are still three main groups of difficulties: lack of synchronization in reception between localities; limitations in human resources, especially at the commune level, where most officials hold multiple positions; and the arrangement of financial mechanisms and facilities is not timely in some places.

Mr. Trung said that the Ministry of Industry and Trade is reviewing and amending legal documents, simplifying administrative procedures, organizing specialized training, compiling implementation manuals, establishing a special working group and promoting the application of information technology. Increasing direct dialogue with local leaders and people is an important measure to promptly handle arising problems.

Ms. Nguyen Quynh Anh, Vice Chairman of the National Competition Commission: The initiative and open-mindedness of commune-level officials, who have to deal with many different fields, is a positive signal - Photo: BTC

Ms. Nguyen Quynh Anh, Vice Chairman of the National Competition Commission, one of the 34 officials assigned to strengthen the locality, said that when decentralization began, the Ministry's units were required to prepare training materials for the locality very early. Upon receiving the decision to work, the 34 officials were all connected to contact groups with the team of experts from the units in the Ministry to handle any arising issues.

According to Ms. Quynh Anh, many localities were initially worried because they had to receive a large number of new procedures while the number of staff did not increase.

In Lam Dong , the locality she was assigned to support, issues related to e-commerce or electricity were quickly resolved thanks to online coordination between the Department of Industry and Trade and the Ministry's departments/divisions. Online communication channels have "erased the gap" between the central and local levels, while creating conditions for local officials to proactively learn and improve their capacity.

The initiative and open-mindedness of commune-level cadres, who have to deal with many different fields, are positive signs. Information technology is fully exploited, helping communes far from the center to still be able to participate in training or exchange daily professional skills.

Close coordination from local authorities is needed to resolve problems.

Mr. Hoang Cao Thuong, Deputy Director of Lang Son Department of Industry and Trade, said that the Department organized internal training and fully participated in the training courses of the Ministry. The Department also advised the Provincial People's Committee to issue two decisions on decentralization and authorization, assigning the Department Director to perform 63 new tasks. At the same time, the locality reviewed resources, arranged appropriate personnel and supported the commune level in implementing new tasks. Thanks to that, after just over 4 months, the administrative procedure settlement activities in the field of industry and trade took place stably and smoothly.

Mr. Thuong highly appreciated the Ministry's sending of leaders of departments/offices directly to the locality, helping Lang Son to resolve many issues related to electricity, industry and import-export. This is an effective dialogue channel, demonstrating the spirit of solidarity between the Central and local levels, and at the same time bringing positive impacts to businesses and people.

However, Lang Son still faces difficulties in the lack of commune-level staff, limited expertise and IT skills, while the workload is large. To overcome this, the locality proposed to continue to receive specialized training, especially in the field of issuing Certificates of Origin (C/O), and at the same time hoped that the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Government would consider a special mechanism for the border province.

Deputy Director of the Legal Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) Pham Thanh Trung said that in order to improve the effectiveness of implementing the two-level local government model, the Ministry of Industry and Trade recommends that the Government and ministries and branches continue to review and complete the system of legal documents related to the organization and decentralization, ensuring consistency and avoiding overlap. At the same time, it is necessary to issue detailed instructions on inter-sectoral coordination mechanisms; support localities in terms of resources, especially funding, infrastructure and digital transformation so that decentralization can be implemented smoothly.

For localities, he suggested proactively improving the organization, arranging appropriate staff for each field; actively sending staff to participate in training courses and organizing specialized training for commune and ward levels to improve the capacity to handle administrative procedures. He also emphasized the need for localities to closely coordinate with the Ministry in resolving problems and promptly reporting any arising shortcomings.

Anh Tho

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/phan-cap-phan-quyen-linh-vuc-cong-thuong-nhung-chuyen-bien-ro-net-102251107142256905.htm