HÀ NỘI — Over 12,000 new enterprises were established in the capital city in the first six months of this year, with a total registered capital of VNĐ124 trillion (over US$5.43 billion).

These figures represented a reduction of 3 per cent in the number of businesses but an increase of 31 per cent in the level of capital compared to the same period last year, according to the latest report of the municipal People’s Committee.

During the period, nearly 1,950 firms resumed business, down by 1.5 per cent year-on-year, while more than 4,300 stopped operations, surging by 51 per cent over the same period last year.

Hà Nội also saw 720 firms completing dissolution procedures in six months, 32 per cent higher than last year’s corresponding period, the report said, adding that as of June, the city is home to some 251,500 enterprises.

From January to June, the city’s total social investment capital reached an estimated VNĐ128.9 trillion ($5.65 billion), up by 10 per cent year-on-year.

The registered capital of investment projects outside the State budget hit VNĐ80 trillion ($3.5 billion), up 19 per cent year-on-year, while foreign investment stood at $1.2 billion, up by 9.5 per cent compared to the same period last year. To date, the city has 4,325 valid foreign-invested projects, capitalised at $27.94 billion, of which $15.4 billion has been disbursed.

The city should continue to boost administrative reforms and remove difficulties for enterprises to fuel production and business activities to achieve the targets set for 2018, especially the targeted economic growth rate of 7.3-7.8 per cent, the average level of the national economy, Nhân Dân (People) newspaper quoted Lê Hồng Thăng, director of the municipal Department of Industry and Trade, as saying.

Thăng said his department had submitted a plan to begin the construction of 14 industrial complexes this year, but it would require close co-ordination among agencies in administrative reforms to reduce the preparations for these projects from 355 days to 150 days.

Meanwhile, the city’s People’s Committee has asked all relevant sectors to continue to improve the business and investment environment, promote start-ups, attract investment and improve competitiveness. — VNS