In 2021, by focusing on implementing the "dual goal" under the direction of the Government, the Prime Minister, Provincial Party Committee and Provincial People's Committee, the Long An Industry and Trade industry has overcome difficulties and challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and successfully completed the assigned tasks. The province has promoted industrial and commercial activities, driving economic development and economic restructuring, making important contributions to the overall achievements of the province.
One of the past year’s remarkable highlights is the province maintaining strong development, attracting more and more large domestic and foreign investors to implement projects, especially in the field of developing clean and environmentally friendly energy sources. Industrial production has continued to expand. The processing and manufacturing industries (animal feed-aquatic products, natural fibers, woven fabrics, iron, steel, rice, bags, shoes, leather, electronics, textiles, etc.) have enjoyed strong development, playing a key role in line with the industry restructuring orientation. Particularly, the field of trade-services has witnessed many positive changes, with total retail sales of goods and service revenue in 2021 estimated at VND85,529 billion; export turnover estimated at US$6 billion, and import turnover estimated at US$4.95 billion.
Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Long An province Mr. Nguyen Tuan Thanh said that in the past year, in order to assist the business community to overcome difficulties, the Industry and Trade Department has proactively helped remove difficulties and urgent problems for businesses under the motto "soonest and most effective"; actively supported enterprises, production and business establishments to implement safe and flexible adaptation measures and effectively controlled the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the industry has also advised the Provincial People's Committee to reduce electricity bills for electricity users affected by the pandemic; coordinated with other competent agencies to review the demand for vaccination for workers in enterprises, production and business establishments; strengthened the inspection and prevention of the pandemic at enterprises, production and business establishments in the area.
In the period of social distancing under the direction of the Government, the Department of Industry and Trade of Long An actively worked with businesses, distribution channels and localities to draft response plans to each level of the pandemic to connect consumption, take advantage of existing retail chains, create new trading points to supply and consume goods for people. The province paid special attention to supporting businesses and production and business units, including the support to businesses and cooperatives to promote brands and build websites; building a store of safe agricultural products and food.
The province has implemented well the "green channel" of road transport, allowing inter-provincial and inter-regional goods transport to be smooth, quick and convenient while ensuring pandemic prevention. Long An province has also created favorable conditions to support manufacturing enterprises with the motto "3-on-the spot" and achieved relatively high production and business efficiency. Up to now, almost all enterprises in the area have restored production and business. Enterprises have gradually actively integrated into the international economy. Their goods have penetrated large markets and gradually built up a reputation in the international market.
Entering 2022, following the direction of the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People's Committee, the Long An Industry and Trade Department will advocate continuing to well implement the "dual goal" of preventing and fighting the pandemic, while recovering and developing socio-economic opportunities on the basis of effectively exploiting and using the province's potential and advantages. Long An Industry and Trade Department will maintain a stable and sustainable industrial and commercial growth rate in association with growth model transformation and industrial-commercial restructuring toward improving competitiveness, protecting the environment, continuing to maintain the leading role in promoting economic development of the province; developing industrial and commercial infrastructure synchronously, contributing to the successful implementation of the province's overall growth target. In 2022, the province aims to increase the industrial production index by 7.0%; total retail sales of goods and services by 16.91%, reaching VND100,000 billion; export turnover by 6.67%, reaching US$6.4 billion; and import turnover by 1.01%, reaching US$5 billion.
By Cong Luan, Vietnam Business Forum
Vietnamese
