Despite difficulties, Binh Duong’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 12.8% in 2013, exceeding 0.3% compared to the year’s plan. The average income per capital of the province continued being raised. The results came from the sound leadership of provincial Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee together with the efforts by sectors, enterprises and people from all strata in realizing the common goals of the province… 

Economic growth

In spite of difficulties, Binh Duong’s socio-economic performance in 2013 continued reaching a stable development with GDP growth at 12.8%; average income per capita at VND52.7mln; industrial production value at VND162.177trillion, up 15.1%; total retail sales value of goods and services at VND89.544trillion, up 24.3%; total State budget collection at VND29trillion or 100% of the province’s forecast; export turnover at US$14.443bln; import value at US$11.58bln.

In 2013, the province reportedly absorbed additional 122 new FDI projects and 123 extra-ones with US$1.299bln. So far, there have been 2,206 FDI projects with a total investment capital of US$18.66bln. The province also lured additional 1,610 new domestic projects and 364 extra-ones with VND14.387trillion. The whole province is now home to 15,050 domestic projects with a total registered capital of VND117.413trillion.

Regarding hi-tech and urban agricultural development, Binh Duong continued implementing 4 hi-tech agricultural parks with 991 hectares in total. They are now operational with a total investment capital of around VND336bln.

According to Nguyen Minh Thuy, Director of provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, An Son commune in Thuan An town has so far met all 19 criteria of a new rural commune while the remaining 4 communes will complete the 19 criteria by the end of 2013 as planned. Till now, there have been 30 communes in the province approving their plans on new rural construction, in which 7 communes have reached from 14 to 18 criteria, 35 from 9 to 13 criteria and 17 from 5 to 8 criteria.

Vo Van Cu, Director of provincial Department of Industry and Trade said that province-based FDI enterprises reached a stable development, which was seen as one of elements helping the province maintain its economic growth in 2013. In addition, the province made a plan to opportunely take measure groups to remove difficulties for production and business, support the market and handle bad debts, helping province-based enterprises stabilize and develop their production and business…

Social welfare ensured

In 2013, Binh Duong effectively implemented policies on social welfare. The province mobilized VND635bln, including VND479bln from State budget, to take care of needy people and those who had rendered great services to the nation. The province also organized 28 job transaction sessions, absorbing 1,180 enterprises and nearly 40,000 laborers; held meetings between employers and employees so there was an obvious reduction in the number of labor disputes and strikes…

The province further paid more attention to public healthcare with the total number of people under medical examination and treatment amounting to more than 6.46mln. The quality of the province’s education and training was also improved, basically meeting the local demand for human resource training. Besides, the province organized many recreational activities, contributing to improving the spiritual life of the local people; reached considerable results in the tasks of administrative reform, corruption prevention, thrift practice and maintained national defence-security…

At a recent meeting approving the report on the province’s socio-economic performance, national defence-security in 2013 and orientations, tasks for 2014, provincial People’s Committee Chairman Le Thanh Cung instructed authorities at all levels, agencies and localities to focus on effectively dealing with shortcomings in 2013 and define tasks for 2014, including bending on restructuring the local economy towards the growth of efficiency and competitiveness; attaching special importance to promoting hi-quality trade and services in association with hi-tech and urban agricultural development; enhancing the quality of planning work; attaching special importance to basic construction investment; strengthening the implementation of policies on social welfare, dealing with complaints and appeals, ensuring social safety, order and security, especially before, during and after the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday.

Reported by Ho Van-Translated by K.T