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| Long Hậu Industrial Park in Long An. The province has favourable policies for businesses that use modern and environmentally friendly technologies. VNA/VNS Photos |
LONG AN – The Mekong Delta province of Long An is focusing on improving its Provincial Innovation Index and Provincial Green Index rankingswith a number of policies.
According to its Department of Natural Resources and Environment, in 2023 Long An’s Provincial Green Index reached 23.07 points to rank it 12th in the country.
The province recorded improvements in many areas such as reduction of pollution and the negative effects of climate change, adherence to environmental standards, leadership roles in protecting the environment, and favourable policies to support businesses in protecting the environment also saw improvements.
This is thanks to the province’s preferential policies in terms of tax and assistance to encourage the development of green businesses.
Over the years the province has adopted many solutions to improve this index such as raising awareness of environmental protection, applying modern technologies in managing environmental issues and strictly dealing with violations. Businesses are also more aware of the importance of using modern technologies in treating solid waste and wastewater, the department said.
But it admitted that there are three industrial clusters without centralised wastewater treatment systems, and the process of soliciting investments for solid waste treatment plants is slow, limiting the province’s ability to treat solid wastes.
To improve its PGI ranking, Long An will continue to put in place effective policies and models for environmental protection. It will also mobilise and use funds from various partners for the purpose.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment said local agencies plan to widely disseminate the province’s support policies for businesses that use modern technologies and green energy.
Each locality needs to sort out trash at source for efficient treatment, strengthen monitoring of air and surface water quality by keeping a close eye on waste, and address other limitations to improve the PGI ranking in 2024.
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| A drug manufacturing plant in Long An that uses modern technology. The province is focusing on raising its 2024 Provincial Innovation Index ranking by helping businesses invest in innovative and new technologies. |
Provincial Innovation Index
The Ministry of Science and Technology released in March the first ever Provincial Innovation Index (PII), which aimed to provide a general picture of the socio-economic development model based on science, technology, and innovation at each provincial-level locality, pointing out their strong and weak points.
In 2023 Long An’s PII was 44.95 points, which ranked 12th in the country and second in the Mekong Delta. In the delta it ranked first in terms of business development.
Under a plan to improve its PII in 2024 and future years, relevant authorities are expected to carry out measures needed to sustain its strengths and mitigate its weaknesses. These include the ratio of science and technology organisations (per 10,000 people), the ratio of science and technology businesses (out of 1,000 businesses), ratio of the workforce above the age of 15 that is trained and certified, and others.
Its Department of Science and Technology will work with relevant agencies to advise the province on policies to facilitate the development of science, technology and innovation.
It will help businesses invest in new technologies, develop a start-up ecosystem, focus on intellectual property, and develop the technology market. It will also foster the development of science and technology organisations and facilitate research.
The Department of Education and Training will advise the province on how to increase the number of high school participants in science competitions and increase the number of middle and high schools.
The Long An Economic Zone management will advise the province on attracting infrastructure investment in its industrial parks and businesses to Long An.
The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will help the province draw up programmes and plans to develop its rural economy through science and technology and innovation to produce competitive, high-quality products.
The Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs will work to increase the number of trained workers, and the Department of Planning and Investment will support science and technology businesses. VNS
