Quang Tri: Digitalization key to national target program in disadvantaged areas

To effectively implement the national target program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas from 2021 to 2025, the Provincial Ethnic Affairs Committee has proposed several digital transformation solutions for the upcoming period.

Head of the Provincial Ethnic Affairs Committee, Ho Thi Le Ha, stated that the goal is to accelerate digital transformation and the application of information technology to effectively implement the program in the province. This includes enhancing the quality of management, leadership, reporting, communication, and monitoring and evaluation of the program. Through digital transformation, the aim is to improve the effectiveness of state management regarding ethnic affairs in general and the program in particular, fostering positive changes in the awareness of officials and residents in ethnic minority and mountainous areas about digital transformation.

Residents of Dakrong District are becoming accustomed to cashless payment methods. Photo: S.H

To achieve this, the Provincial Ethnic Affairs Committee will prioritize investments that build on existing platforms and infrastructure to support digital transformation. This will ensure seamless management and implementation of the program, maintaining data security and network security. The committee will also innovate communication methods to improve the accessibility of information for residents in ethnic minority and mountainous regions regarding the Party’s guidelines, government policies, scientific and technical knowledge, socio-economic issues, environmental matters, and local economic activities.

Enhancing two-way information exchange between residents and state management agencies will be prioritized through intelligent and convenient methods, improving transparency and effectiveness in program implementation. There will be a focus on increasing awareness of digital transformation and enhancing the capacity of ethnic minority officials and residents to use information technology.

By 2025, the specific target is for 100% of agencies and units involved in the program from provincial to communal levels to implement a reporting information system connected with the central program management system. A technology infrastructure for online meetings will be developed to serve the program’s steering committee from provincial to district levels.

An electronic portal will be established to manage all relevant information regarding the program, including content, implementation areas, and a database to enhance residents' access to information. The communication approach will be modernized by building a communication system based on smart applications. The aim is for 100% of information systems, electronic portals, and other digital platforms supporting program management to be operated professionally and safely. All management officials will be trained to enhance their understanding of digital transformation and technology skills.

To effectively meet these objectives, the Provincial Ethnic Affairs Committee will implement solutions such as raising awareness about digital transformation among program staff and residents. Diverse communication methods will be utilized on digital platforms, including electronic portals, social media, promotional videos, newsletters, and educational materials.

Training will be enhanced through workshops focused on digital transformation skills for beneficiaries and program implementers. Digital systems, information databases, and management tools will be designed and upgraded to ensure connectivity and data sharing with the Committee’s systems and those at the provincial level.

In terms of human resource development, training programs and materials on digital transformation will be compiled. Knowledge and skills related to digital transformation and safe online service utilization will be improved through conferences and workshops. Training sessions will be organized to instruct on using the reporting, monitoring, and evaluation systems developed by the Ethnic Affairs Committee.

Infrastructure for information technology management will be established, including upgrading or outsourcing IT services for program management agencies to facilitate digital transformation in program management. Training, operation, maintenance, management, guidance, and troubleshooting for deployed information systems will be organized, both directly and online.

To mobilize resources for advancing digital transformation and information technology application effectively, the committee aims to create a favorable investment environment to attract telecommunications and IT companies to invest in digital infrastructure and internet connectivity in particularly disadvantaged ethnic minority and mountainous areas. Technological infrastructure will be linked to service development in agriculture, education, health, culture, tourism, and e-commerce.

The committee will also mobilize various resources, especially by effectively integrating national target programs, socio-economic development projects, and legal funding sources from various economic sectors and residents to facilitate digital transformation.

Recently, digital transformation efforts in the province have yielded positive initial results. The Provincial Data Center has been established at the Provincial People’s Committee Office and the Department of Information and Communications to maintain and implement shared information technology applications across the province. These include an electronic office system, an electronic one-stop shop, a government email system, an online public service portal, an electronic information portal, the provincial socio-economic information system, and integrated data communication platforms, along with many other specialized applications.

The electronic one-stop shop has been uniformly implemented across 100% of departments, branches, and localities, with connections established to the provincial online public service portal through a data sharing and integration platform. All departments, branches, and localities now have electronic information pages providing services and information to residents and businesses.

Additionally, 100% of legal documents and over 90% of the provincial directives and operational documents have been updated on the province’s electronic information portal, ensuring smooth communication and information exchange from the Provincial People’s Committee to various agencies, units, and localities.

The mobile phone usage rate in the province is 80%, while internet usage (both fixed and mobile) stands at 89%. In the e-commerce sector, there are currently 43 registered booths showcasing 142 products on the provincial e-commerce trading platform, quangtritrade.vn. The provincial post office has listed 520 products on postmart.com, including 264 agricultural products and local specialties, while Viettel Post has introduced 51 OCOP products on voso.vn.

Various sectors, such as trade and tourism, agriculture and rural development, health, and education, have emphasized digital transformation. Some localities have also begun to implement community-driven initiatives to promote digital transformation.

In accordance with Resolution No. 02-NQ/TU of the Provincial Party Committee, the Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee has issued a Digital Transformation Project for the province, aiming for completion by 2025 and a vision towards 2030. This project is built upon three main pillars: the development of digital government, digital economy, and digital society.

The goal of developing a digital government is to better serve the citizens; the aim of fostering a digital economy is to enhance the prosperity of the people; and the development of a digital society seeks to improve the overall happiness of the community.

Therefore, it is essential to raise awareness at all levels, across sectors, and throughout society about digital transformation. This includes establishing a robust foundation, developing infrastructure to support digital transformation, and refining the institutional framework to create an enabling environment for digital initiatives in the province. The digital government must ensure transparency and accountability in its services to the public, while also promoting a digital economy through e-commerce and gradually fostering the emergence of digital enterprises within the province. Furthermore, efforts should be made to develop a digital society that progressively narrows the gap between rural and urban areas.

Particularly, there should be a prioritized focus on digital transformation in several key sectors, including agriculture and rural development, transportation and logistics, natural resources and environment, energy, finance and banking, culture and tourism, healthcare, as well as education and training.

It is crucial to mobilize and effectively utilize various resources to promote the development of digital technology platforms and human resources necessary for digital transformation in the province. Here, internal resources are foundational, while external resources play a significant role.

Sy Hoang - Ngoc Mai