Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc attends a video conference with key officials of HCM City on Friday. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

HCM CITY — HCM City must regain its position as the locomotive of the national economy, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc said during a video conference with key officials from the southern hub on Friday.

While lauding the city for its drastic efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and new business models, the Government leader said that local economic growth of 1.03 per cent in the first quarter of the year was too low. 

He affirmed the city’s important role and position in the national economy and asked it to make greater efforts for socio-economic development. 

The PM appreciated the resolve of the city’s Party, administration and people to strive for a growth rate of over 6 per cent in 2020, saying that if HCM City was able to achieve this target, the national economy could grow 5 per cent, the highest in the region. 

PM Phúc also urged the city to accelerate the disbursement of public investment, saying that low disbursement could become a bottleneck for socio-economic development. 

Highlighting the city as a safe destination for investment, the PM asked the city to seize the opportunity to attract investment, especially in hi-tech projects. 

Touching upon problems in the city, PM Phúc pointed to its falling position in the PCI (Provincial Competitiveness Index) rankings. Other issues that needed prompt attention included serious traffic congestion, air pollution, flooding and threats to social order such as robberies and burglaries. 

Regarding directions and tasks, he asked the city to take measures to address the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and improve its competitive capacity and business environment.  

The municipal People’s Committee reported that the main tasks for the city now would be continuing to fight the COVID-19 pandemic while implementing a plan to support enterprises until the end of the year. The plan focuses on helping enterprises maintain production and business activities while ensuring safety, cutting production costs, renovating technology and restoring production after the pandemic. — VNS