Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính speaks last Saturday at the second meeting of the steering committee for the implementation of a National Assembly resolution granting special mechanisms and policies for the development of HCM City. — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has called for stronger implementation of a National Assembly (NA) resolution on piloting special mechanisms and policies for the development of HCM City. 

Speaking last Saturday at the second meeting of the steering committee for the implementation of the resolution, PM Chính acknowledged shortcomings during the process of putting the mechanisms and policies into force.

Issued on June 24, 2023, Resolution 98/2023/QH15 stipulates mechanisms and policies designed specifically for the city in investment management, State finance and budget, urban governance, natural resources and environment, priority fields calling for strategic investors, sci-tech, innovation, and the administrative apparatus of both HCM City and Thủ Đức City. 

PM Chính hailed the municipal Party organisation, authorities and people for their tireless efforts in fulfilling 2023 political tasks with important results. Its socio-economic landscape exhibited robust month-on-month and quarter-on-quarter growth, surpassing the growth rate in 2022.

He noted that the city has completed 10 out of the 22 assigned tasks linked to the resolution, but stressed that there exists a noticeable gap between the current pace and the Government and the city's expectations. 

The PM has instructed giving greater authority to the city to carry out the Resolution.

Ministries, agencies and HCM City need specialised units and personnel with responsibility, qualification and passion to dedicate more time and effort to the implementation of the resolution, he urged.

The PM assigned specific tasks to his deputies and ministries to accelerate the resolution's implementation, with Deputy PM Trần Lưu Quang tasked with directing the drafting of a Government decree on the decentralisation of State management in certain sectors to the city, an imperative step slated for completion this month.

Deputy PM Trần Hồng Hà was required to direct the formulation of a decree on mechanisms and policies to facilitate rooftop solar power installation in administrative agencies and public service units, with a tight deadline set for the second quarter.

Specific tasks pertaining to expressway projects were also assigned to Deputy PMs Hà and Lê Minh Khái.

In addition, the HCM City People’s Committee was told to urgently research and propose an overall investment scheme for urban railway infrastructure. 

Chairman of the committee Phan Văn Mãi said the city will submit the scheme within the first quarter. 

Resolution 98 encompasses 44 mechanisms and policies, addressing investment management, finance, budget, urban management, natural resources and environment, and science-technology management.

It also introduces a transport-oriented urban development model, a financial mechanism to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and solar power installation on administrative office and public service unit roofs.

The new resolution replaces an older one on pilot implementation of particular policies for HCM City’s development, issued in 2017. 

The new resolution grants the city People’s Committee the authority to decide and adjust rates and fees not included in the Law on Fees and Charges, as well as the allocation of an unassigned portion of their budgets to the city’s district people's committees.

In addition, HCM City is granted the authority to collect funds to maintain and regenerate infrastructure in industrial parks and export processing zones from businesses within these areas. 

It also permits the piloting of financial mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through exchanging, clearing and trading carbon credits with domestic and international investors. 

The city is also allowed to install solar power systems on administrative office and public service unit roofs.

The implementation of these mechanisms aims to benefit the whole country and require collective support for HCM City, which has a leading role in the nation’s economic landscape, contributing significantly to the country’s GDP, particularly in the industrial sector, and bolstering the State budget. 

The city’s dynamic and pioneering spirit has driven reforms and development, and this resolution aims to restore its leading position after recent years of lost ground, experts said. — VNS