Hai Duong creates an equal competitive environment for businesses

High ranking

Fair competition is one of the ten component indicators that make up the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI). This component index assesses the competitive environment for private enterprises in the face of preferential treatment given to state-owned enterprises, foreign-invested enterprises, and enterprises that are familiar with provincial government officials.,expressed in the form of specific privileges and incentives when accessing resources for development such as land, credit, etc. and being given priority treatment in implementing administrative procedures and policies.

The fair competition index includes a number of component criteria presented in the form of questions for private enterprises to answer yes or no, such as: Does the province favor state-owned enterprises, causing difficulties for enterprises? Does state-owned enterprises have more favorable access to land? Does state-owned enterprises have more favorable conditions for carrying out administrative procedures? Do foreign-invested enterprises have more priority in resolving difficulties than private enterprises? Does the province prioritize attracting foreign investment over developing the private sector?…

In 2023, Hai Duong's competitiveness index will reach 6.62 points, an increase of 1.21 points compared to 2022, ranking 7th in the country and first in the Red River Delta. Currently, the provincial PCI index in 2024 has not been announced by the Vietnam Federation of Commerce and Industry. However, through monitoring and evaluation by competent authorities, it shows that the provincial competitiveness, in which Hai Duong's competitiveness index in 2024 continues to hold its ranking, has many bright spots. This result demonstrates the province's efforts to improve the province's equal investment and business environment; the cooperation of all levels and sectors in creating a healthy business environment.

Equality among businesses

Identifying the private economy as an important driving force for economic development together with the state economy and collective economy, the province always encourages and creates favorable conditions for all economic sectors to develop equally, without discrimination in handling work between all types of enterprises. In accessing investment opportunities, preferential regimes and policies and administrative procedure implementation time, enterprises are all provided with access to public information.

Specifically, on the websites of the province as well as departments, branches, localities, on Zalo groups, association organizations..., relevant agencies and units publicly and transparently post information about policies, guidelines, and support for businesses. Widely, fully and promptly publicize information on provincial planning; planning and development plans for industrial zones and clusters; planning and development programs for sectors and fields; list of projects calling for investment. Businesses can easily access, exploit and research, ensuring equal rights in accessing information related to production and businesses among economic sectors.

Most recently, in early 2025, the Provincial People's Committee issued a plan to provide legal support to small and medium-sized enterprises in the province. The province builds, manages, and uses a legal database to serve business operations. In particular, the system of legal documents issued by the Provincial People's Council and People's Committee is fully and promptly updated on the national legal database system for businesses to access and use for free...

In particular, Hai Duong has focused strongly on reforming administrative procedures. A series of administrative procedures related to business registration, land, investment, construction, etc. have been shortened. From January 15, the Department of Finance (then the Department of Planning and Investment) shortened business registration procedures from 3 days to 2 days. At the end of February 2025, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested departments, branches and sectors to urgently reduce the processing time for 142 administrative procedures in the fields of production and enterprises to support businesses as quickly and conveniently as possible.

Breakthrough in support

Regarding the support and facilitation policies of the provincial departments and agencies, Mr. Dinh Van Tao, Chief Accountant of Thanh Do Investment Joint Stock Company, Hai Duong branch, said: "Although the annual tax amount paid to the budget by our company is not large, whenever we encounter difficulties or problems related to tax policies that need advice, the provincial Tax Department always enthusiastically supports businesses. The provincial Tax Department supports businesses in tax settlement, tax accounting declaration, and direct and online calculation of corporate income tax; working on the last Saturday of the month to support and resolve problems for taxpayers. Any problems arising from businesses are answered and supported by tax officials, making businesses feel very secure in investing and doing business."

The province has issued and implemented many open and specific mechanisms and policies, strongly improving the transparent and attractive investment and business environment, removing difficulties and obstacles for enterprises in general and private enterprises in particular. Typically, Resolution No. 03/2019/NQ-HDND dated July 11, 2019 stipulates a number of policies to support the registration of new enterprises in the area for the period 2019 - 2022; Resolution No. 08-NQ/TU dated August 19, 2021 on strongly improving the investment and business environment, enhancing provincial competitiveness for the period 2021 - 2025. In addition, there are programs connecting banks and enterprises; prioritizing credit capital for small and medium enterprises. Enterprises also benefit from policies to support trade promotion, industrial promotion, labor training support, etc.

The province has established the Provincial Investment Promotion and Support Steering Committee. Actively disseminate and guide the implementation of the Investment Law 2020, the Enterprise Law 2020, the Land Law 2023 and new legal documents to investors and businesses. Unifying the general policy in supporting businesses is equal, without special privileges, without discrimination between large and small businesses, without different attention and handling of administrative procedures, and especially not depending on the contribution of businesses to the locality such as the number of employees employed, the amount of taxes payable.

Each department, sector and locality is responsible for the field under their charge. For example, the Department of Finance maintains free consultation and guidance on the procedures for converting business households into enterprises; consultation and guidance on procedures for granting operating licenses for conditional business sectors and occupations. The Department of Industry and Trade supports the consumption of agricultural products and food; supports businesses participating in transactions and supplying goods on e-commerce trading floors...

Over the years, small and medium enterprises in the province have always received support from Party committees and authorities at all levels. All types of enterprises are increasingly treated more equally in accessing policies and support for enterprises and credit sources. This helps investors and small and medium enterprises feel more secure and confident.

"Simplifying administrative procedures is a plus point of Hai Duong in recent times. Many procedures such as granting investment registration certificates for investment projects not subject to investment policy decisions have been reduced from 15 days to 7 days; the time for submitting land allocation and land lease decisions for enterprises has been reduced from 9 days to 6 working days... which has created convenience and greatly reduced costs for enterprises. 100% of these procedures are handled online, so enterprises do not have to travel and are all treated equally," commented Mr. Nguyen Trac Thang, Chairman of the Provincial Association of Small and Medium Enterprises.