[9 Jan. 2016] -  Economica Vietnam presented the findings from the in-depth analysis  on BR-VT’s Provincial Competitiveness Index 2014 (PCI 2014) and the draft of the Plan of Action for PCI improvement of the province in the period of the  2016-2020 at a meeting chaired by Mr. Nguyen Thanh Long, the Vice Chairman of People’s Committee  of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province (BR-VT) province. Representatives of provincial departments, Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) both from central and provincial levels and media attended the meeting. 

According to PCI data, BR-VT has a dynamic economy and its Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) is in the mid-high of ranking. However in the recent years, the PCI of BR-VT has been in a declining trend. In concrete, BR-VT was once ranked 6^th out of 63 provinces but then it dropped to a very lower position of 39/63 in 2013. With the recent efforts in 2014 PCI of BR-VT is lightly improved and the province reach the rank of 24/63 provinces. Beside improvements in some indicators including market entry, land access, bias between sectors and implementation of labor policy, there are many other areas which the province need to work harder for improvement. For example, information transparency dramatically dropped from the position of 25/63 provinces in 2013 PCI down to the position of 62/63 provinces in PCI 2014; Time Cost indicator of BR-VT also dropped 12 steps in comparing with PCI 2013; Informal Cost indicator has also witnessed decline. Especially the Proactivity of leadership indicator needs improving because it remains at a low position in PCI 2014 ranking and has lower score in comparison with PCI 2013 score.

 PCI Ranking of Ba Ria – Vung Tau over the Years

On the basis of in-depth analysis and diagnosis of PCD data and field study, Economica recommended that the province should take stronger actions to improve its business environments. Among others, the recommendations include the vigorous implementation of the Plan of Action for PCI improvement. Many of the actions in the Plan are related to the Resolution 19/NQ-CP, improvement of public services, one-stop shop in providing public service to business and boosting online business registration, etc.

Sub-indices of Ba Ria – Vung Tau in PCI 2014  

In addition to these, the waiting time for procedures of public service should be reduced. The complete land use plans should be prepared and published properly; a fair competitive environment for all of the private, State-own and foreign investment sectors should be set up; better training for labor force should be invested; unofficial cost needs reducing; strengthening supervision and applying the discipline to maintain better quality of officials' performance should be done;   and public - private dialogues to acknowledge the difficulties and actively solve arising problems for business should be regularly organized…  

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Long agreed with the actions recommend by Economica Vietnam. He requested that on the basis of PCI data analysis and a further consultation with the relevant departments, Economica Vietnam would support the province in finalizing the Plan of Action for business environment improvement for the benefit of business and investors operating in the province.