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The Vietnam Provincial Competitiveness Index 2009 Launch
More than 500 business, government leaders and national media reporters gathered on January 14, 2010 in Hanoi for the launch of the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) 2009 report, which points to the need for improved transparency and labor quality in Vietnam’s provinces to spur investment and growth.
Da Nang topped the overall ranking in the country for the second consecutive year, followed closely by Binh Duong (top place holder in 2005 - 2007). Lao Cai, Dong Thap, Vinh Long, and Vinh Phuc were also ranked among the top six excellent performers.
The launch of fifth PCI iteration also highlights the top three reformers since 2006, including Dien Bien, Ca Mau, and Long An noting their outstanding improvements in governance during the PCI course. Notably, reform achivements of these provinces excelled in different realms. Dien Bien made substantial improvements in reducing informal costs, increasing the pro-activity of leadership, and enhancing the quality of the labor force. Ca Mau revealed ways to reduce entry costs and informal charges while Long An’s leaps were propelled by impressive increases in transparency. These nine distinguished provinces were presented awards for their great contribution to the business environment and private sector development. The unprecedented ceremony was presided by U.S. Ambassador Michael Michalak, VCCI Chairman Dr. Vu Tien Loc and Deputy Editor in Chief of the Communist Party Magazine (the voice of the Party), and prominent PCI corporate partners including Eurocham and Amcham, Microsoft, Intel and Fedex.
In a concerted effort to improving Vietnam’s competitiveness, the PCI 2009 launch features PC I as a platform for government leaders to share their good experiences in crucial governance arenas of labor quality and administrative reforms in business entry, land access and regulatory compliance. “We have taken very useful lessons from successful provinces in building up conducive business and investment environment for our governance”, said the Vice Chairman of Dong Thap People’s Committee, fourth best governed province.
Overall, PCI 2009 survey results show that Vietnam continues to make progress in administrative reform. Businesses report that there have been improvements in the reduction of time costs for bureaucratic procedures and business startup, which appears to be associated with the Prime Minister’s Administrative Simplification program, Project 30. Other notable areas of improvement include land access and legal institutions. The event was widely covered by more than 100 domestic and foreign articles which accounts for one fifth of media coverage about PCI in the last four years. This has confirmed great public interest and the right track PCI endeavour has been pursuing in bettering regulatory environment for Vietnam.