Announcement of the Northern Midlands and Mountainous Region Planning

Comrades: Tran Luu Quang, member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Coordination Council for the Northern Midlands and Mountainous Region; Nguyen Chi Dung, member of the Party Central Committee, Minister of Planning and Investment; Bui Minh Chau, member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Council, Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Phu Tho province chaired the conference.

The conference was attended by representatives of central ministries and branches; leaders of 14 provinces in the northern midland and mountainous region including: Phu Tho, Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Cao Bang, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Thai Nguyen, Bac Kan, Bac Giang, Hoa Binh, Son La, Lai Chau, Dien Bien.

Attending the conference, on behalf of Phu Tho province, there were comrades: Bui Van Quang, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Phung Khanh Tai, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; leaders of a number of departments and branches of the province.

The conference announced Decision No. 369/QD-TTg dated May 4, 2024 of the Prime Minister on approving the Planning of the Northern midland and mountainous region for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050.

According to the plan, the goal by 2030 is for the midland and mountainous region of the North to become a green, sustainable and comprehensive development region, with a basic infrastructure framework connecting the region and the Red River Delta, Hanoi Capital and the North Central sub-region; developing processing, manufacturing and energy industries; high-value, organic, specialty, green and circular agriculture; border gate economy, tourism; protecting and restoring forests. The cultural identities of ethnic groups are preserved and promoted; the material and spiritual lives of the people are improved and enhanced; national defense and security are firmly ensured.

The plan emphasizes 6 strategic and core viewpoints: The Northern midland and mountainous region must develop rapidly, sustainably and comprehensively. Develop the economy on the basis of strengthening intra-regional, inter-regional and international linkages. Preserve and promote the identity and cultural values ​​of ethnic groups; develop the economy while ensuring progress and social equity. Organize space according to sub-regions, dynamic regions, growth poles, corridors associated with the development zone of the capital Hanoi and economic belts. Strengthen management and use of resources economically, effectively and sustainably. Develop the economy and society in association with ensuring national defense and security, firmly protecting the borders of the Fatherland.

The plan sets out four key and breakthrough tasks: Focus on developing infrastructure, prioritizing the development of the transport system connecting with the capital Hanoi, the Red River Delta, the North Central sub-region and with China and Laos. Focus on developing dynamic areas, growth poles, important economic corridors, and advantageous economic sectors. Improve the quality of human resources, strengthen intra-regional and inter-regional linkages and international cooperation. Pilot a number of new and specific models, mechanisms, and policies in regional development, especially for localities and regions that play an important role in forest protection, border security, water security, and energy security.

At the conference, delegates reported on the implementation of the Northern Midlands and Mountainous Region Planning; reviewed the implementation of Resolution No. 11-NQ/TW dated February 10, 2022 of the 13th Politburo on socio-economic development and ensuring national defense and security in the Northern Midlands and Mountainous Region to 2030, with a vision to 2045; and specific mechanisms and policies for the development of the Northern Midlands and Mountainous Region.

Speaking at the conference, Comrade Bui Van Quang - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Committee of Phu Tho province proposed that the Regional Coordination Council consider, review, and adjust and supplement Resolution 973/2020/UBTVQH14 dated July 8, 2020 of the National Assembly Standing Committee on principles, criteria, and norms for allocating public investment capital from the State budget in the direction of increasing criteria points and increasing support resources from the State budget for the Region in the coming time. Increase ODA capital support for localities, reduce the re-borrowed capital ratio in the total ODA/project capital to 10%; increase the outstanding loan ratio from the local budget according to Article 7 of the Budget Law; increase the ratio of State capital contribution to traffic projects under the PPP method to 70% of the total project investment. Consider adjusting the regulation ratio from import-export revenue sources for localities.

The Chairman of Phu Tho Provincial People's Committee proposed that the Government, relevant ministries and branches soon issue a common policy related to carbon certification, to facilitate local implementation. At the same time, there should be a policy of prioritizing the implementation of key projects, especially inter-regional transport projects; there should be specific regulations on leasing public assets in the fields of culture and sports. The regional coordination council should study and develop a plan and assign specific tasks in organizing production among the provinces in the region.

Concluding the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang expressed his agreement and appreciation for the responsible and dedicated opinions of the delegates attending the conference. He affirmed: The issue of regional linkage has existed for a long time and is significant to the development of localities. The conference announced the Planning for the Northern Midlands and Mountains region for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050, which is a new, more scientific and methodical approach, orienting and pointing out goals for localities to develop sustainably together; providing a conceptual framework to calculate specific plans for each year, setting out limits to control the development of each province in accordance with the overall sustainable development of the region. For the Northern Midlands and Mountains region - an area with many difficulties, it requires a lot of resources, time, and specific solutions for sustainable development. The Deputy Prime Minister requested ministries and branches to quickly complete projects, plans and documents that have been and are being implemented, facilitating implementation. For localities, it is necessary to pay attention to developing transport infrastructure, attracting investment, especially between localities and border areas. Pay attention to developing tourism, tourism products with strong identities and characteristics of each locality. Speed ​​up the progress of site clearance, especially site clearance for transport infrastructure projects. Localities also need to proactively respond to climate change; fully exploit digital transformation, especially Project 06 on "Developing applications of population data, identification and electronic authentication to serve national digital transformation in the period 2022-2025, vision to 2030".

Regarding the recommendations and proposals of the leaders of the Ministry of Planning and Investment and localities, the Deputy Prime Minister affirmed that the Government will consider them based on the conditions of the issued regulations and have specific instructions. However, localities also need to uphold their spirit and sense of responsibility, and be ready to share difficulties with the Central Government for the common development of the region and each locality.