Businesses are in dialogue with the Provincial Farmers' Association regarding product consumption.

During the 2021-2025 period, Son La province strives to have its PCI index in the middle group nationwide. The Provincial People's Committee directs departments, agencies, and the People's Committees of districts and cities to urgently address and improve the scores of the component indicators that have declined.

Focus on reducing time and costs for businesses, especially in areas such as land, taxes, and social insurance; enhance the accountability of leaders; departments, agencies, districts, and cities should strengthen support and create a favorable investment and business environment; implement comprehensive solutions and publicly disclose recommendations and the process of resolving recommendations from investors and businesses on the electronic information portals of the respective units; departments, agencies, and localities should organize dialogues with businesses once a quarter to promptly address difficulties. In addition, departments, agencies, and localities should develop specific plans to improve each component index of the PCI (Provincial Competitiveness Index) in accordance with their functions and responsibilities...

From ranking 55th out of 63 provinces and cities in 2020, then 46th and 49th in 2021 and 2022, Son La's PCI index reached 65.5 points in 2023, rising to 47th out of 63 provinces and cities. Of the 10 component indicators of the PCI, the province saw improvements in 8 indicators, including: Market entry; access to land; transparency; time costs; informal costs; business support policies; labor training; legal institutions; and security and order.

Handling administrative procedures at the one-stop service center of To Hieu Ward, City.

Analysis shows that two indicators saw significant improvements: time costs, which increased by 1.47 points and 36 ranks; and business support policies, which increased by 1.09 points and 10 ranks. This indicates that provincial government leaders at all levels have demonstrated dynamism and strong support for the private sector, receiving positive feedback from businesses. Administrative reform and the service attitude of officials and civil servants maintained high scores. According to the report, 89% of businesses assessed that procedures at the one-stop service center were publicly displayed; and 80% of businesses assessed that the time taken to complete administrative procedures was shorter than stipulated...

Ms. Ha Ngoc Chau, Deputy Director of the Department of Finance, said: The province has decisively directed the implementation of solutions to improve the PCI index, notably reviewing administrative procedures; shortening the processing time for dossiers and administrative procedures in the fields of water resources and minerals by 10% or more; reducing the time for implementing administrative procedures in the environmental field by 10-30% compared to regulations; reducing the construction permit issuance procedure from 30 days to 15 days... Departments proactively resolve administrative procedures under their responsibility after business registration, shortening the time for businesses to officially start operations.

With the motto "Government accompanies businesses," the province has established a task force to support investment projects in the area, identify obstacles faced by investors, and actively resolve difficulties related to investment procedures, land, site clearance, etc.

Compared to the previous year, businesses have a better perception and assessment of state agencies in handling administrative procedures; 82% of businesses agree that the province implements transparency in bidding; 75% of businesses said that obstacles in implementing documents on free trade agreements (FTAs) are effectively addressed by local state agencies...

The Yen Chau District Business Association monitors the production situation of enterprises.

Mr. Le Toan Thang, Director of the instant cereal and dried fruit production plant of VFI Investment and Trading Joint Stock Company (Hanoi), which is under construction in Mai Son Industrial Park, said: The plant is expected to have a capacity of 720 tons of granula cereal, 300 tons of flour cereal, and 2,800 tons of dried fruit per year, with a total investment of 39 billion VND. Throughout the project implementation, the company has received attention from the province and relevant departments and agencies, which have provided guidance and favorable conditions in completing legal procedures and land clearance. The plant is expected to be completed and operational in September 2025.

Determined to improve and enhance its PCI (Provincial Competitiveness Index) results, not for the sake of ranking but for the satisfaction and success of businesses investing in the locality, Son La province is promoting digital transformation in all fields, ensuring a safe and healthy investment and business environment, creating maximum conditions for businesses and investors to confidently conduct production and business, contributing to socio-economic development.

Source: Son La Newspaper