10 outstanding political-social-economic events in 2008.

Reporter clubs of the provincial Journalist Association of Dongnai province organized a vote for 10 outstanding events in political-social-economic realms in 2008. 

1. Many works and activities are held ebulliently to celebrate 310th anniversary of formation and development of Bien Hoa- Dong Nai territory.

Programs and activities have begun from quarter 3-2008, including construction of War Zone D’s ecological, cultural, and historical site in Ma Da, Vinh Cuu district, a scientific seminar on bringing into full play values of Southeast folk culture, cultural festivals of southeast ethnic minorities, etc. The peak of activities to celebrate the anniversary was a cultural and sports week by the end of December, ended by a carnival held by Bien Hoa city and festival “Tran Bien Night Festival” and art program “Dong Nai Impression” that were held impressively and colorfully at the Temple of Literature and that left everybody with good impression in cultural life of the province.

2. In the face of a lot of difficulty in many aspects, in 2008, Dongnai maintains its GDP growth rate of 15.5% against 2007. (Average GDP growth rate of the nation is 6.23%)

A lot of socio-economic targets have been fulfilled with results beyond expectation: foreign direct investment (FDI) was US$3 billion (including newly registered projects and supplementary capital projects), higher than the target set in the Resolution passed by the provincial Party committee and provincial People’s Council. The growth rates of sectors including industry, construction, service, agriculture, forestry, and aquaculture have been remarkable. Average GDP per capita of Dongnai increased by 19.1% against 2007, higher than the target set by the Resolution.

3. A series of big projects to serve socio-economic development of the province have been started implementation:

They are new Dongnai Bridge, Dongnai General Hospital, Long Hung Ecological urban area, Biotech Application Center, etc.   

4. The provincial People’s Council passed policy on migrating and newly building the administrative center of the province in Tam Phuoc commune, Long Thanh district.

Migrating the administrative center of the province to a new location is aimed at concentrating offices, departments, sectors of the province in order to save operation expense, bring continuation of assignment completion, boost public administration reform, bring convenience to citizens and settle the problem that offices are far apart, causing land waste, etc.

5. Bien Hoa 1 Industrial Zone is the first to be transferred its use

Bien Hoa 1 Industrial Zone was established in 1963 with the total area of 335 hectares, 94 domestic and foreign operating enterprises. However, waste from this Industrial Zone is released into Dongnai River, making this river more and more polluted. The transferred use of industrial zone that it will be an area for trade and service is aimed at limiting industrial waste emitted to rivers. In order not to influence enterprises here, the province will offer favorable conditions and ensure rights and benefits of enterprises when migrating enterprises.

6. The provincial People's Council passed a lot of projects on human resources development for grassroots (commune and ward cadres and grassroots medical cadres)

7. Agreement to invest Agro-Park between Donataba-Dong Nai Food Industry Corporation and Prudential Fund Management, Proconco company, Glon group-the second biggest group of Europe doing business in breeding, processing and trading in cattle and poultry. Agro-Park with area of 1.780 hectares is a new economic model and expected to be a breakthrough for agricultural and rural development of the province.

8. For the first time, Labour Federation of Long Khanh commune represent rights and benefits of nearly 400 workers to sue Hanual Line Vietnam Co. (100% investment capital of Korea) for this company hasn’t paid social and health insurance to their labors in 2 years (2006-2007) 

At the trial, representatives of Hanul Line Company admitted that their debt of insurance payment was illegal. So they accepted suit of prosecutors and agreed about payment to social insurance of the province. The court requested Hanul Line Company to hand in all insurance debt and its interest to the Social Insurance agency of the province in order to ensure timely payment to labors.

9. The scandal of Vedan Vietnam discharging untreated waste to Thi Vai river.

This violation was detected by interdisciplinary inspectors of Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and Environmental Police Bureau (C36-Ministry of Police). To swindle functional agencies, Vedan Vietnam established water pumping system and technical pipes to pump liquid waste to Thi Vai river. This action has lasted for years and violated law regulations on environmental protection. This scandal makes a lot of irritation in the society.

10. Such a lot of problems that caught attention of the whole country as case of nursemaid Quang Thi kim Thoa, illegal solicitation to exempt and reduce tax up to millions of US dollars of Grobest company in Amata industrial zone, case of Nguyen Lam Thai coming to trial, etc.

Compiled by H.Sen and N.Le, translated by Hoai Thu.