This was affirmed by Mr. Doan Thanh Son, Vice Chairman of the Lang Son Provincial People's Committee, at the 2024 Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) Evaluation Conference and the discussion of solutions for 2025 implementation.

Mr. Doan Thanh Son, Vice Chairman of Lang Son Provincial People’s Committee, speaks at the Conference. (Photo: Lang Son Newspaper and Radio & Television Station)

In 2024, Lang Son province continues to identify improving the investment and business environment and enhancing competitiveness as key political tasks. Following Resolution No. 43-NQ/TU of the Provincial Party Committee, the efforts to improve the PCI and PGI indices have been decisively directed by all levels and sectors.

According to the PCI 2024 results announced by VCCI in early May 2025, Lang Son’s PCI index remains in the top 30 provinces and cities with the best governance quality nationwide, ranking 16th out of 63 provinces and cities, and maintaining 3rd place out of 14 provinces and cities in the Northern mountainous region.

According to Mr. Doan Thanh Son, Vice Chairman of Lang Son Provincial People’s Committee, the PCI 2024 results reflect the reforms and efforts of the provincial government that have been recognized by local businesses. Among the 10 component indicators, the province saw 4 indicators increase in score while 6 indicators decreased. This shows that although reforms have progressed, they remain uneven and require stronger efforts. Regarding the provincial Green Index (PGI), the province is not among the top 30 provinces and cities leading in the PGI. This requires the province to clearly identify causes and implement more suitable and decisive solutions in the near future.

According to Ms. Le Thanh Ha, Head of the Business Environment Department - Legal Affairs Division (VCCI), PCI is an index measuring the quality of economic governance by provincial governments across 10 key areas important for the development of private sector enterprises. The PCI 2024 was analyzed based on data collected from 8,566 private enterprises operating in 63 provinces and cities nationwide and 701 newly established enterprises.

Ms. Le Thanh Ha, Head of Business Environment Department, Legal Affairs Division (VCCI)

(Photo: Lang Son Newspaper and Radio & Television Station)

According to the analysis of the 2024 PCI results, Lang Son province scored 69.01 points (a decrease of 0.04 points compared to 2023), ranking 16th out of 63 provinces and cities nationwide (down 3 places from 2023). Lang Son’s PCI remains solidly in the Top 30, but 6 out of 10 component indicators decreased compared to the previous year, specifically: land access (down 0.77 points); time costs (down 0.85 points); equal competition (down 0.23 points); provincial government dynamism (down 0.19 points); labor training (down 0.65 points); legal institutions and security order (down 0.07 points). This shows that while the investment and business environment in the province has somewhat improved, it is not yet truly sustainable.

Regarding the 2024 Provincial Green Index (PGI) ranking, Lang Son scored 22.63 points, improving its position from 62nd out of 63 provinces and cities in 2023 to 31st out of 63.

At the conference on the afternoon of June 12, representatives from departments, district and city People’s Committees, and the Provincial Business Association presented discussions focusing on analyzing and assessing the implementation of the component indicators and proposing solutions to enhance competitiveness and improve Lang Son’s PCI and PGI scores. These discussions focused on solutions to improve indicators related to land access; science, technology, innovation, digital transformation in enterprises, and the application of technology in administrative operations at state agencies; procedures supporting tax-related matters for small and medium enterprises and business households; and deeper evaluation of the role of heads of departments and agencies in improving the investment and business environment.

In 2025, Lang Son province aims to achieve a PCI score of 71 points or higher (an increase of 2 points compared to 2024) and to rank among the top 10 highest-scoring provinces and cities nationwide. This will create a favorable foundation for fast and sustainable socio-economic development. Particularly with strong determination, the province will focus on promoting rapid and sustainable economic growth, targeting a 2025 Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) growth rate of 8-9%.

Mr. Doan Thanh Son, Vice Chairman of Lang Son Provincial People’s Committee, requested that in the upcoming period, there should be a mindset renewal and increased responsibility of leaders in building a proactive, honest, transparent government that serves the people and businesses.

Continue to promote administrative procedure reforms and simplify investment and business processes; resolutely eliminate unreasonable barriers and unofficial costs. Localities, agencies, and related units will accelerate comprehensive digital transformation, build digital government, digital economy, and digital society, develop a green economy and circular economy, contributing to enhanced competitiveness and investment attraction; improve the effectiveness of state management in environmental protection, production, and business development linked with social responsibility and sustainable development.

The Vice Chairman of Lang Son Provincial People’s Committee also requested that the Lang Son Business Association and other business associations continue to effectively play their role as a bridge and companion to the government; promptly reflect difficulties and shortcomings faced by businesses so that authorities at all levels can address them; provide feedback on policies to contribute to the strong and sustainable development of enterprises.

In the first six months of 2025, investment attraction in Lang Son showed positive changes, with the province approving 2 new projects with a total capital of 40.64 billion VND, adjusting 17 projects with an additional capital increase of 305.1 billion VND. Currently, the province continues to promote planning and infrastructure development, especially key projects such as the Huu Nghi - Chi Lang border gate expressway project, Dong Dang - Tra Linh expressway, and upgrading National Highway 4B…

Nguyet Ha (Enterprise Forum Magazine)