Promote sustainable collective economic development

The Government Office has just issued Notice 132 on the Conclusion of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the 2024 Cooperative Economic Forum. There are many issues that need to be cleared up so that the collective economic sector and cooperatives can overcome challenges and develop rapidly, comprehensively, sustainably and inclusively. In Quang Ninh province, there have also been many appropriate approaches and solutions to support and promote the development of the collective economy in the province, in line with practical requirements.

Producing melons in a greenhouse at Hoa Phong High Quality Agricultural Service Cooperative. *Photo provided by the unit.*

Developing the collective economy is one of the methods to sustainably reduce poverty, an important foundation to achieve the goal of "Rich people, strong country, democracy, equality, civilization"; is the basis for "cooperation" to become culture, identity, arousing the will of self-reliance, self-strengthening, the strength of great national unity and the aspiration to rise up in each member.

In Quang Ninh province, in recent years, the collective economy has gradually developed in both quantity and quality, with diverse forms of cooperation. As of May 2024, the whole province has over 650 cooperatives and 146 cooperative groups operating effectively with about 44,377 members and charter capital of over VND 1,263 billion. The average revenue of each cooperative is VND 650 million/year; the average income of a cooperative member and worker is VND 68 million/year...

In general, cooperatives have promoted the role of gathering and mobilizing farmers to innovate their thinking and working methods, apply scientific and technological advances, improve production efficiency and carry out joint ventures and associations, and find stable output for products. In some other areas, cooperatives have expanded production, created more industries, developed comprehensive business, invested in equipment, applied high technology and digital technology to improve production and business capacity, contributing to creating jobs for members and workers, and promoting local socio-economic development. Most notably, the OCOP program has created momentum for the development of high-quality products, creating chain links in production, processing and consumption to increase product value. Among the 72 cooperatives participating in the province's OCOP program, there are 70 agricultural cooperatives with 153 products, of which 18 products have achieved 4 stars and 56 products have achieved 3 stars. Along with that, the whole province currently has 40 chains with 26 participating cooperatives, of which, some cooperatives have linked with units and businesses to consume products, ensuring a stable output market.

To create leverage to promote the collective economy to develop quickly and in the right direction, and promptly support cooperatives with appropriate mechanisms and policies, the province has also established the Steering Committee for the development of collective economy at the provincial and district levels in 13 districts, towns and cities. At the same time, the Department of Planning and Investment and the Cooperative Union have been directed to coordinate with departments, branches, localities, Fatherland Front agencies and socio-political organizations to promote propaganda and concretize documents, resolutions, programs and projects of the Central Government and the Provincial Party Committee in the development of collective economy; contribute ideas to build and organize the implementation of plans, programs and support and preferential policies for cooperatives, consolidate and perfect the state apparatus at all levels on collective economy; inspect, supervise and handle violations of the law by cooperatives, individuals and related organizations according to the provisions of law. In particular, with its core role, the Provincial Farmers' Association has continued to closely coordinate with local credit units to improve the efficiency of credit groups, creating capital resources for cooperative models and cooperative groups to develop production. The Farmers' Support Fund managed by the Farmers' Association has been given priority for disbursement to households that are members participating in production linkage models. To date, the total capital of the Farmers' Support Fund in the province has reached over 100 billion VND, an increase of more than 20% compared to the end of 2022. Outstanding credit balance entrusted through banks has reached over 2,000 billion VND.

According to the Central Government's assessment, the development of this economic sector in Quang Ninh shows that the province has paid close attention to leading, directing, and implementing the Central Government's directives in a timely, complete, and methodical manner. Currently, the province is in the top 10 nationwide in terms of the number of cooperatives and cooperative groups, with a fast and sustainable pace, fully exploiting the province's potential and advantages. In particular, Quang Ninh is one of the leading localities in the country in supporting trade promotion activities, promoting brands, and introducing products produced by cooperatives and cooperative groups in the province.

To continue to create momentum for the development of this economic sector, at the 14th Session of the 14th Provincial People's Council, Resolution No. 155/NQ-HDND (dated July 12, 2023) was issued on "A number of key solutions to support enterprises, cooperatives, and business households to improve production and business efficiency and sustainable development by 2025". The Resolution sets out 7 specific goals and 10 groups of tasks and key solutions to support enterprises, cooperatives, and business households. Notably, continuing to pay attention to grasping and promptly resolving difficulties and problems of enterprises; improving the investment and business environment, creating maximum convenience in implementing administrative procedures related to production and business establishments; effectively applying digital technology, increasing the rate of using online public services; promoting digital transformation, applying science and technology, innovation; support labor restructuring, improve the quality of human resources to meet the requirements of innovation and the 4.0 industrial revolution; increase access to capital, land and expand markets, improve competitiveness; develop and implement a number of programs, plans, projects... This continues to be an important driving force to help businesses, cooperatives, and business households in the province to restore stable production and business activities in the coming time.

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