In implementing Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo on breakthroughs in the development of science and technology (S&T), innovation alongside national digital transformation (DX), Dak Lak province is rolling out a series of measures to unlock investment capital, remove bottlenecks and ensure resources are translated into tangible development outcomes.

Identifying implementation bottlenecks

In 2026, the province allocated a substantial budget for S&T, innovation and DX, equivalent to roughly 3% of total local budget expenditure, or more than 1.026 trillion VND.

However, as of the end of July 2026, disbursement remained modest across numerous sectors coupled with localities. Most disbursed capital has been channelled into ongoing projects, including the Phase 1 Infrastructure Investment Project for the Phu Yen High-Tech Agricultural Zone together with the High-Tech Application for Forest Resource Management and Monitoring Project. Concurrently, many newly approved along with large-scale projects remain at the stage of completing investment procedures or awaiting budget approval.

Developing digital infrastructure together with data remains one of Dak Lak’s key investment priorities. In the photo: Monitoring data-driven public services at the Dak Lak Smart Urban Monitoring and Operations Centre.

According to comrade Bui Thanh Toan, Director of the Department of Science and Technology, the slow pace of disbursement has been attributed to multiple factors, including administrative restructuring affecting procedural processing, the complex appraisal process for DX as well as high-tech projects, alongside fluctuations in technology equipment prices requiring investment cost adjustments. Moreover, numerous officials responsible for DX continue holding multiple responsibilities while lacking specialist expertise.

Furthermore, Decree No. 224/2026/ND-CP stipulates that budget expenditures for DX activities related to data digitisation must be financed through recurrent expenditure. Consequently, the province has had to review and adjust the investment approach for several projects that had previously been approved under public investment capital.

The "green lane" mechanism creates fresh momentum

On July 27, 2026, the Dak Lak PPC launched a pilot "green lane" mechanism for investment preparation procedures relating to DX projects, aiming to shorten administrative processing time while accelerating investment implementation and disbursement.

The mechanism’s core principle is to streamline processing time without altering the sequence, content, requirements, or appraisal standards prescribed by law. All procedures are processed entirely in the digital environment, maximising the use of shared databases while publicly updating implementation progress via online management system.

Provincial leaders visiting the Dak Lak Smart Urban Monitoring and Operations Centre.

Simultaneously, the province is strengthening technical support while enhancing grassroots capacity through training on Decree No. 224/2026/ND-CP, issuing standardised guidance on investment preparation procedures, alongside assigning dedicated focal points to support the resolution of project-specific bottlenecks.

Regarding this issue, comrade Bui Thanh Toan proposed that departments, sectors, local authorities, together with project owners strictly implement the principle of "payment upon completion". He also recommended  submitting progress reports every two weeks while continuously updating information through the online monitoring and management system, enabling provincial leaders to promptly identify as well as address emerging obstacles.

As procedural bottlenecks are progressively removed and the accountability among agency heads continues to be strengthened, investment in S&T, innovation and DX is expected to be more rapidly translated into modern combined with synchronised digital infrastructure and practical digital applications, providing fresh momentum for the provincial socio-eco development.

Translated by KHUONG THAO