Addressing Obstacles in Natural Resources and Environment Management

Mr. Huynh Thanh Dung, Deputy Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Ca Mau province, emphasized: "The sector is committed to supporting the province in achieving strong economic growth in the region." To this end, the department will work closely with relevant agencies to advise the People's Committee on refining mechanisms and policies. This includes enhancing state land management and facilitating business access to land resources.

How would you assess the results of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Ca Mau province in reforming administrative procedures and building the land database?

Recently, significant efforts have been made to reform administrative procedures, particularly in the land sector. Key achievements include reducing processing times by at least 20% compared to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment's benchmarks, regularly reviewing and updating procedures, and proposing decentralization for faster resolution. We have also guided enterprises through land-related procedures such as land recovery, allocation, leasing, and use changes to facilitate quicker establishment and operation. Additionally, we have formed a support team to assist businesses with land access and administrative issues, ensuring prompt resolution of challenges faced by both individuals and enterprises.

Regarding the land database initiative, we have successfully implemented the overall project for adjusting the construction of a land records system and land management database in Ca Mau province. To date, the database has been completed for seven districts and Ca Mau city, with the remaining two districts, Nam Can and Ngoc Hien, scheduled for completion in 2024. The integrated land database, which includes both spatial and attribute data, is now fully operational across all nine districts and cities. This system streamlines administrative procedures and Certificate issuance, making the process more efficient, cost-effective, and time-saving.

How has Ca Mau actively attracted investors while ensuring environmental protection and resource management?

For the 2021-2025 period, the province's guiding principle is to integrate economic development with environmental protection, proactive climate change adaptation, and effective epidemic control. The focus is on advancing the marine economy, tourism, and renewable energy to leverage provincial advantages and drive rapid, sustainable growth. In alignment with this vision, we actively advise the Provincial People's Committee on environmental and resource protection. Notable achievements include the issuance of Plan 263/KH-UBND for implementing the National Environmental Protection Strategy to 2030, with a 2050 vision, and the development of effective plans and decisions for climate change adaptation. Water resource management has improved, and efforts have intensified to prevent, detect, and address illegal mineral exploitation.

What steps has the department taken to improve compensation and site clearance efficiency, addressing the challenges in "Land Access"?

In 2023, Ca Mau's Land Access Index reached 7.05 points, surpassing the national median, reflecting a 0.26-point increase. The province improved its ranking to 19th out of 63, up 19 places from 2022, and 7th out of 13 in the Mekong Delta, rising 4 positions from the previous year. This progress showed the provincial leadership's commitment and the department's effective advisory and implementation efforts. The improved index indicates that businesses in Ca Mau have easier and more secure access to land, enhancing investment attractiveness and fostering a more favorable environment for economic growth.

Building on our success, in 2024, we will actively implement a plan to further improve the Land Access Index. We are committed to applying a proactive approach and providing timely guidance to address and resolve any difficulties and obstacles faced by enterprises regarding administrative procedures under our jurisdiction (such as those related to environment and water resources). This will ensure that businesses can efficiently establish and operate on their premises, facilitating a smoother and more effective setup process.

We will focus on enhancing land acquisition and clearance efficiency to create favorable conditions for investors and ensure effective project implementation. To support this, we will advise on Directive 07-CT/TU to submit to the Provincial Party Standing Committee. This directive will emphasize strengthening outreach and mobilization efforts among cadres, party members, civil servants, and the public to support planning, compensation, and site clearance for infrastructure projects crucial for socio-economic development. Additionally, we will direct the Land Fund Development Center to accelerate site clearance for key projects and work toward refining procedures and regulations related to compensation and clearance. Extensive public outreach will be conducted to ensure that citizens understand the Party's policies and the State's legal frameworks regarding compensation and site clearance.

We are committed to supporting and collaborating with localities to address challenges related to the State management of environmental resources, including land management. Our approach will be grounded in adherence to legal regulations, aimed at fostering stable socio-economic development in the regions.

Thank you very much!

By Binh Minh, Vietnam Business Forum