“Informal costs” is a sensitive index in the component indexes of the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI). The existence of this index is a major barrier in administrative reform activities, as well as an obstacle in attracting investment, economic development, and creating unfairness in business activities. Therefore, with specific solutions, Quang Tri has been making efforts to push back this cost, as well as increase the PCI index ranking in the following year.
Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee directly dialogues with the business community to listen to their thoughts and aspirations
Administrative reform, serving people and businesses
In 2023, the total PCI score of Quang Tri province reached 63.23 points, an increase of 1.97 points compared to 2022. Of the 10 PCI component indexes, 5 indexes increased in score, 5 indexes decreased in score, including the "Informal costs" index. This is a rather "sensitive" index, related to the work of preventing corruption and negativity.
According to Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee, in order to contribute to improving, increasing scores and ranking of PCI component indexes, since the beginning of the year, the Provincial People's Committee has promoted administrative reform, built a streamlined apparatus, operated effectively and efficiently; tightened administrative discipline and order.
In particular, implementing the 2024 Administrative Reform Plan, the Provincial People's Committee is not only determined to direct the implementation of solutions to improve the PCI index ranking, but also focuses on directing the implementation of solutions to improve the rankings of the PGI, PAR Index, SIPAS, and PAPI indexes.
In order to create a transparent and open business investment environment, Quang Tri is moving towards a service-oriented administration, taking the satisfaction of organizations and individuals as a measure of this service.
In recent years, Quang Tri province has made many efforts in administrative reform to build a transparent business environment, minimizing barriers for businesses and people. Quang Tri province has focused on simplifying administrative procedures and increasing the application of information technology to reduce intermediaries. The electronic one-stop system has been deployed synchronously from the provincial to the communal level, helping people and businesses to easily look up and carry out procedures without going through brokers or paying unclear fees.
In addition, the province also fully publicizes information on administrative procedures, fees and charges at competent agencies and on the electronic information portal. This helps people and businesses clearly understand their rights and obligations, limiting abuse or requests for costs outside of regulations.
Cam Lo District Administrative Procedure Reception and Return Department. Photo: ST
Quang Tri has built a mechanism to closely monitor the activities of civil servants, especially in sensitive areas such as land, investment, construction and tax. Hotlines and online feedback systems have been set up so that people can report acts of harassment or requests for “unofficial fees”.
In order to create maximum conditions for businesses, Quang Tri has organized many dialogue conferences between provincial leaders and the business community, listening to opinions and promptly resolving difficulties. Practical solutions such as reducing the time to process documents, increasing online support and establishing a working group to support investors have helped improve the province's competitiveness.
In particular, Quang Tri has encouraged initiatives from the business community to join hands in building a healthy administrative environment. These public-private partnership models not only help save time and costs but also contribute to eliminating negative behaviors in the process of implementing administrative procedures.
Solutions to improve competitiveness
First, continue to promote propaganda and dissemination of the Party's policies and the State's laws and policies on inspection, handling of complaints and denunciations, prevention and combat of corruption and negativity; strengthen handling and prevention of harassment and inconvenience to people and businesses in handling work; help businesses understand the provisions of legal documents, rights and obligations of state agencies and businesses.
Second, strengthen inspection and guidance on receiving and handling complaints, denunciations, recommendations and reflections on violations of the law, negativity, corruption and waste in state agencies.
Third, promote the implementation of solutions to prevent corruption; strengthen inspection and examination at the grassroots level, focusing on sensitive areas of public concern. Conduct inspection and examination no more than once a year for businesses; reduce working time in inspection and examination work at enterprises.
Fourth, strengthen inspection and assessment of the organization and operation of the Reception and Results Department at agencies and units to promptly rectify and improve the quality of operations.
Fifth, assign competent, responsible, and ethical people to positions in areas directly related to enterprises. Minimize direct contact between state officials and civil servants with people and enterprises in handling administrative procedures.
Sixth, promote administrative procedure reform, simplify and publicize administrative procedures related to the establishment and operation of enterprises. Develop a transparent, clear, and public document processing process to create an equal communication corridor between enterprises and localities.
