Illustrative image (Source: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) - The quality of provincial economic governance in Vietnam reachedits highest level for 15 years in 2019, with an average provincialcompetitiveness index (PCI) of 65.13 points, a ceremony releasing the 2019 PCI reporton May 5 heard.
With 73.4 points,the northern province of Quang Ninh continued to lead the country, marking thethird consecutive year it has secured the top position.
It was followed bythe Mekong Delta provinces of Dong Thap (72.1 points) and Vinh Long (71.2points), together with northern Bac Ninh province (70.79 points).
The northernmountainous province of Lai Chau, the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong,and southern Binh Phuoc province were at the bottom.
US Ambassador toVietnam Daniel J. Kritenbrink said that over the last 15 years, the PCI hasplayed an important role in boosting transparency and accountability inprovincial economic governance and facilitated the development of the privatesector in Vietnam, thus helping increase the country’s overall competitiveness.
According to the2019 PCI report, foreign enterprises maintained their positive assessment of Vietnam’sbusiness climate, especially in regard to business registration and access toland.
They suggested it continuespeeding up administrative reform and adopt more effective strategies andpolicies to increase the quality of the workforce, especially skilled workers.
The report is jointlypublished by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the US Agencyfor International Development (USAID).
The latest editionsaw the participation of nearly 12,500 enterprises, including 1,500 foreign-investedones. It evaluated and rated the business environment and the quality ofeconomic governance in localities throughout the country, thus helpingaccelerate the development of the private sector.
A special feature ofthe 2019 report is that it is the first time it has analysed automation anddigitisation in production and services by Vietnamese firms and forecast theimpact of this trend on workers and employment in the time to come.
Compiled based on datacollected from enterprise surveys, the PCI can be described as “the commonvoice” of the business community on the level of reform in various fields./.
VNA
