The 2010 Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) was released on March 16 by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

 

Accordingly, Da Nang held its position as the best performer for the third year in a row, followed by Lao Cai and Dong Thap, while Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City ranked 43 and 23, respectively.

The sixth PCI survey, which represents the views of 7,300 Vietnamese private and 1,000 foreign-invested enterprises, shows declines in business entry costs, access to land, legal institutions, transparency, and time costs revealing increased compliance burdens on the private sector.

VCCI Deputy Secretary General Tran Huu Huynh said although Vietnam’s business environment has been improved, there still remain challenges facing the country.

It is, therefore, necessary to conduct an in-depth restructure, Huynh said, adding that the PCI is a useful tool to help localities work out effective action plans for development.

(VOV)