Striving to reach top 10 in PGI

The functional sector inspects centralized wastewater treatment systems at enterprises

Reducing pollution, responding to climate change and complying with standards

According to the PGI announcement in 2024 by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), Long An province scored 27.56 points, ranking 6th in the country; Tay Ninh scored 25.41 points, ranking 28th. After merging into the current Tay Ninh province, PGI continues to be focused on. In 2025 and the following years, the province aims to be among the top 10 localities in the country in terms of PGI.

To achieve this goal, the province has developed and issued an implementation plan, in which it has identified a focus on synchronously implementing 4 key groups of solutions. These are reducing pollution and responding to climate change; ensuring compliance with minimum environmental standards; enhancing the leadership role of the government, and implementing preferential policies and support services for businesses associated with environmental protection.

Facing the rapid pace of industrialization and urbanization, the province has identified the first group of solutions as minimizing environmental pollution and the negative impacts of climate change, prioritizing investment in synchronous technical infrastructure, from drainage systems, flood prevention, riverbank and canal bank erosion prevention to green transport infrastructure and inter-regional connectivity. The formation of logistics centers associated with modern infrastructure not only serves the circulation of goods but also helps reduce transportation costs and limit emissions.

In transport development, the province focuses on encouraging the use of electric vehicles and renewable energy; investing in bus stations, rest stops, ports and inland waterway wharves according to green criteria. Digital technology, artificial intelligence and smart transport systems will be applied in management and operation to improve efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Along with that, the province's green space is expanded through afforestation and tree planting programs associated with major environmental events such as Earth Hour, World Environment Day, and Environmental Action Month. This is a way to spread the green spirit, raise community awareness, and promote sustainable growth from the roots.

According to Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Minh Lam, Tay Ninh focuses on developing plans to manage air quality and surface water quality. Monitoring and surveillance programs provide timely data on pollution levels, thereby providing warnings and solutions to reduce emissions. Enterprises with large greenhouse gas emissions will be required to develop a roadmap to transition to clean technology, meeting new environmental standards.

In addition, the province strengthens investigation and assessment of soil quality, land potential, and soil degradation, thereby providing solutions for restoration and reasonable exploitation. Limiting groundwater exploitation and promoting surface water exploitation is considered an important direction to ensure water supply in the dry season and protect valuable resources. In particular, the province resolutely rejects investment projects with high risk of pollution, in order to maintain the orientation of economic development associated with ecological protection.

The province focuses on ensuring compliance with minimum environmental standards. Environmental inspection and examination work is carried out publicly and transparently, both to prevent violations and to avoid causing difficulties for enterprises. Seriously violating establishments will be strictly handled; enterprises that comply are encouraged and supported.

Solid waste and wastewater treatment systems in urban areas and industrial parks are invested in and upgraded. The province replicates the model of waste classification at source, encourages the production of organic fertilizer from household waste. Enterprises are required to install automatic emission and wastewater monitoring systems and are encouraged to apply ISO 14001 standards and purchase environmental liability insurance. At the management level, departments and branches research and adjust technical standards, provide guidance on operating energy-saving equipment, and encourage businesses to access a synchronous legal framework that facilitates the greening of production.

Enhancing the role of the government and supporting businesses

Not only focusing on infrastructure and environmental standards, the province also focuses on enhancing the leadership role of the government. Departments, branches and localities are required to promote dynamism and creativity in removing difficulties and obstacles for businesses; proactively accompany, support and create favorable conditions for production and business activities.

Communication and raising public awareness are also strongly directed by the province with messages suitable for each target group. Businesses are guided to green their operating processes through digitizing records, applying energy-saving technology, reducing the use of plastic in production, investing in cleaner waste management systems, and using water efficiently. Many training programs and seminars are organized to disseminate policies and improve the qualifications of officials and businesses in environmental protection.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Lam also requested state agencies to pioneer green practices such as limiting the use of non-degradable plastic packaging, replacing plastic water bottles with glass bottles, sorting waste at source, etc. These are small actions but bring great effectiveness in building the image of an exemplary, and responsible government.

At the same time, the province focuses on promoting preferential policies and support services for businesses associated with environmental protection. Financial and investment policies under the guidance of the Central Government are specified to encourage the socialization of resources, promote scientific research, technological innovation and develop industries with little impact on the environment. In particular, the province aims to attract renewable energy projects such as solar power, wind power, trade and service sectors associated with green criteria.

The province encourages businesses to access green credit capital, implement projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, participate in the carbon credit market, thereby creating motivation to transform sustainable production models. Seminars and events on green economy are widely disseminated to help the business community promptly access new technologies and solutions.

The province continues to promote administrative reform, simplify procedures, and cut unnecessary processes. The results of administrative procedure settlement are publicly posted, making it easy for people and businesses to monitor and supervise. This is one of the conditions to create a transparent and friendly business environment, while contributing to improving PGI.

With high political determination and a strategy to synchronously deploy 4 key groups of solutions, the province is showing methodical steps on the journey to break through PGI. The goal of being in the group of 10 leading provinces and cities in the country in PGI is not only a measure of the prestige and investment attraction of the locality, but also clearly demonstrates the province's commitment to sustainable development, harmonizing the socio-economy and the environment./.

By Le Duc - Translated by Q. Thien

Source: https://baolongan.vn/phan-dau-vao-nhom-10-dia-phuong-dan-dau-ca-nuoc-ve-pgi-a203546.html