At the Ha Nam Public Administration Center. (Photo: baohanam.com.vn)

One of the targets Ha Nam province has set is to accelerate administrative reform with a focus on modernization.

Another goal is to make the top 20 on the Vietnam Provincial Governance and Public Administration Performance Index (PAPI), the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI), and the Public Administration Reform Index (PAR-index).

Last year Ha Nam was one of 23 provinces and cities that provided all public services eligible for an upgrade to Level 4, the highest level of online public services.

This improved Ha Nam’s business and investment environment and PCI, and increased the access of local enterprises.

Nguyen Van Luong, Director of the provincial Department of Planning and Investment, said, “Administrative reform increases the trust businesses have in the local government at all levels. Recently departments and sectors  were asked to review all administrative procedures and cut the handling time by at least half."

"When administrative procedures are completed quickly, the provincial government is more dynamic and responsive. The business community has praised Ha Nam’s administrative reform.”

Ha Nam has consistently tried to change its focus from management to service. According to the provincial authorities, rapid administrative reform attracts investors.

This reform is as important as offering land lease and corporate income tax incentives and helping businesses obtain loans.

Ha Nam's open investment policies have made it one of the top 10 localities in Vietnam in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) capital in recent years.

“Investment procedures are handled smoothly. The provincial government and agencies have helped us a lot during the construction of the factory. The investment environment is very favorable,” a Korean investor in Dong Van Industrial Park 4 said.

Administrative reform has improved efficiency by adopting IT applications and putting public services online.

Ha Nam’s new public service portal and integrated digital information system are now operating stably. As of the middle of last month, more than 210,000 documents have been handled by the system, 99.8% of which were completed on schedule or ahead of schedule.

The public service portal has particularly benefited the justice, transport, education, and information and communications sectors as it helps minimize cost and travel time for both businesses and individuals.

“With the new administrative reform, it doesn’t take me much time to complete procedures. The staff are helpful and have a professional attitude, and the process for completing procedures is simpler than before. I’m very satisfied,” said Ha Nam resident Tran Thi Trang.