In 2024, the total budget revenue of Cao Bang province will reach VND 2,458 billion, an increase compared to VND 2,086 billion in 2023. However, this locality is still in the group of provinces with total budget revenue of less than VND 10,000 billion - the lowest group in the country.
Cao Bang's main revenue comes from import-export of goods across the border, so the revenue depends largely on the development of import-export turnover.
According to the announcement of the Vietnam Federation of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), for 3 consecutive years from 2021 to 2023, the provincial competitiveness index (PCI) of Cao Bang, although improved in some criteria, has often been at the bottom of the table or in the bottom group nationwide.
In the field of public investment - considered the blood vessel leading economic growth - Cao Bang has not shown any clear changes. As of the first quarter of 2025, the locality has only disbursed VND 234.409 billion in public investment capital, reaching 5.1% of the plan, much lower than the national average of 9.53%.
Not only that, Cao Bang is also one of the 10 localities with the lowest attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2023 - a reality that shows the limited attractiveness of the investment environment.
Object difficulties such as harsh terrain, unsynchronized infrastructure, development distance between urban and rural areas, between favorable areas and remote areas... partly explain this situation. However, that is not the only reason.
The administrative reform index - the key factor to create a favorable environment for development - is also inherent weakness. According to the announcement of the morning of 6.4 at the regular Government meeting in March, Cao Bang ranked the bottom of the administrative reform index in 2024 (PAR Index), with 82.95%. However, this is still a step forward compared to the previous year, when the score increased by 0.98% and 1.63% higher than the provincial at the end of 2023 (An Giang).
Another notable index is the national high school graduation exam scores in 2024. Cao Bang ranked second with an average score of 6.03 - only higher than Ha Giang (5.68 points).
Looking at the overall picture, it can be seen that Cao Bang is facing many challenges in socio-economic development, from investment attraction capacity, public investment disbursement efficiency to administrative reform and human resource quality.
Although there are initial signs of improvement, to make a breakthrough, this locality needs a more comprehensive, synchronous and drastic development strategy, especially in creating a favorable environment for businesses, improving staff capacity and improving the quality of education - the foundation for sustainable development.
These need concrete action instead of administrative slogans. Recently, in the regular meeting of the Provincial People's Committee, Chairman of the Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee Hoang Xuan Anh requested that from April, the whole province focus on 3 key tasks, speed up the progress of infrastructure projects, remove difficulties for production - business and speed up the disbursement of public investment capital.
Departments, branches and localities must consider public investment disbursement as the number one priority task. In particular, it is necessary to focus on key projects such as the Dong Dang - Tra Linh Expressway, provincial routes 203, 212 and Po Tau and Ban Rach bridges. problems with land clearance, procedures, land and capital must be completely resolved in the second quarter.
Along with that, Cao Bang province must promote the development of the border gate economy, especially in Tra Linh and Soc Giang. The Department of Industry and Trade is assigned to take the lead in proposing solutions to improve customs clearance capacity and support agricultural exports.
In addition, Cao Bang will prepare to organize major events such as tourism investment promotion conferences associated with Non Nuoc Global Geopark and activities towards Party Congresses at all levels. Plans must be practical, effective and economical.
