Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính speaks at the working session. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on August 17 commended the capital city of Hà Nội for its socio-economic development, with the gross regional domestic product (GRDP) growing 6 per cent in the first half, disbursement of public capital by the end of July topping VNĐ23 trillion (US$917.79 million), and export revenue rising 10.8 per cent to $10.4 billion.

At a working session with the Standing Board of the municipal Party Committee, PM Chính said he has been impressed by the city’s solidarity, unity, and concerted efforts in the spirit of “superior-subordinate unanimity”, “one voice speaks, a hundred respond” and “one mind from top to bottom” as stated by late Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng, as well as the motto “resources come from sharp mind, motives from renewal, and strength from the people and businesses”.

Acknowledging the local Party Committee, administration, military and people’s hard work over the past time, PM Chính took note that the city's economy has continued to recover and develop robustly, and mechanisms, particularly those for the socialist-oriented market economy, have been branched out, while due attention has been paid to cultural and human development, defence-security as well as social order have been ensured, and foreign relations, international integration and cooperation have develop substantively and effectively.

He went on to point out several challenges for the capital city, including the lower-than-targeted GRDP growth, environmental pollution, traffic congestion, and management of residence and foreigners, among others, and asked the city - the heart of the country, political and administrative center, and a cultural, scientific, educational, economic and international exchange hub - to pen breakthrough measures for further development amidst complicated and unpredictable regional and global situations that have adverse impacts on the nation’s socio-economy.

The Government leader pointed to five “focuses” for the city, which are ensuring macro-economic stability, boosting economic growth, curbing inflation, and assuring major balances; removing difficulties for production, business and mobilising resources for the city’s development; stepping up administrative reform; ensuring social security; and developing culture on par with the city’s noble historic and cultural tradition.

Regarding tasks for the city, PM Chính stressed that Hà Nội needs to continue accelerating the disbursement of the public capital, renewing traditional growth drivers which are investment, export and consumption, and promoting new ones, especially green, digital, circular, intellectual and sharing economies.

He urged the city to pioneer in renewal, innovation, and startup, capitalise on the achievements of the fourth industrial revolution to build a smart city, improve the provincial competitiveness index, and handle issues related to transport, healthcare, education, environment, and social security.

Hà Nội must continue fostering production and business, reviewing its work in culture and sports, focusing on building a strong, united Party and political system, completing policies and regulations to carry out the revised Capital Law, intensifying the prevention of corruption for development, ensuring defence, security and safety, and strengthening foreign economic affairs and international integration.

Leaders of Hà Nội proposed the Government and the Prime Minister direct several issues related to the implementation of the revised Capital Law, sketch out incentives and support investment for high-tech projects and those that have great impacts on the city’s socio-economic development. They also suggested the Government soon approve the masterplan for the Hanoi capital and allow the pilot of smart urban area development in several places, among others.

PM Chính agreed with the recommendations, and ordered the Government’s Office to join hands with competent ministries, sectors and agencies to handle.

According to the municipal Party Committee, the city has pushed ahead administrative reform, digital transformation, digital economy and society. It eyes to complete some 16,000 social housing apartments during 2021-2025, and has spent nearly VNĐ50 trillion on culture, education, and preservation of historical relic sites.

Additionally, the city completed the building of new-style rural areas two years ahead of target. Nearly VNĐ1.6 trillion was arranged for the sustainable poverty alleviation programme, helping the poverty rate fall to 0.03 per cent. — VNS