The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) held a workshop in Thai Nguyen province on August 19 to seek ways to improve the competitiveness of businesses operating in the mid-land and mountainous regions.  Business representatives shared the difficulties they are facing in business and production and made proposals on how to promote regional connectivity, improve the investment environment and provincial competitiveness index (PCI) during the integration process.  According to the VCCI’s latest report, 46 percent of domestic private businesses and 50 percent of foreign-invested businesses in Vietnam plan to expand their operations in the time to come, the highest rate since 2012. The result is attributed to the country’s effective implementation of administrative procedure reform.  Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Thai Nguyen provincial People’s Committee Duong Ngoc Long affirmed that administrative procedure reform is a priority to implement the country’s socio-economic development strategies. Thai Nguyen’s PCI jumped from 57/63 localities in 2011 to 8/63 localities in 2014.  Head of the Thai Nguyen Business Association Nguyen Van Thoi emphasised the importance of speeding up institutional reform and improving the business climate to increase the competitiveness of enterprises at both central and local levels, as competition is growing fiercer with the signing of more free trade agreements.  They said it is necessary to review import-export management regulations so as to find measures to cut down time and costs for customs clearance.  VCCI Chairman Vu Tien Loc, who is Vice Chairman of the Advisory Council on Administrative Procedure Reform of the Prime Minister, took note of the business community’s complaints and proposals and pledged to present them to the Government.-VNA