The newly opened Terminal T3 at Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in HCM City. The city is stepping up efforts to accelerate its public spending this year in response to concerns about delays in public investment. — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — HCM City is intensifying efforts to speed up public spending this year amid growing concerns over delays in public investment disbursement.

Nguyễn Văn Được, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, has urged departments, districts, and Thủ Đức City to accelerate the funding and allocation processes for public projects scheduled for completion within the year.

He has set a target of disbursing at least 30 per cent of the city’s public investment budget by the end of June.

This goal translates to approximately VNĐ25.655 trillion (nearly US$1 billion) out of the total VNĐ85.517 trillion funding plan allocated to the city by the Prime Minister for 2025.

However, as of May 28, only VNĐ8.71 trillion, or 10.2 per cent, had been disbursed — well below the national average of 15 per cent.

To reach the mid-year target, the city would need to disburse nearly VNĐ17 trillion within June alone, which amounts to over VNĐ500 billion per day — a pace that is proving extremely difficult to achieve.

Criticism

City officials have faced criticism from the central government for lagging behind in public spending since the beginning of the year.

Speaking at a recent socio-economic meeting, Nguyễn Văn Được, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, expressed frustration over HCM City’s continued poor performance in public investment disbursement, saying the city often ranks “extremely low” in this area.

“In June, we must ensure that 30 per cent of the capital is disbursed,” he stressed.

To accelerate public spending, Được emphasised the need to resolve all bottlenecks hindering project implementation, in order to help the city achieve its goal of double-digit economic growth this year.

“All processes—from project appraisal and approval to land clearance, contractor selection, construction, acceptance, and payment—must proceed smoothly and without delay,” he said.

He has proposed a new framework that clearly defines roles, responsibilities, authority, timelines, and expected outcomes for all parties involved in public spending.

Được also called for more on-site inspections and supervision to quickly resolve issues related to land and construction materials.

He approved a proposal from the Department of Construction to expedite land clearance compensation and make necessary adjustments to zoning plans for key transportation projects.

In cases where challenges exceed the capacity of local authorities, they are encouraged to seek support from the Department of Construction.

Được also urged developers and contractors to work with greater urgency, encouraging them to increase project output by 10 to 20 per cent compared to their original plans.

He warned that any officials or units responsible for delays or inefficiencies will be held accountable. — VNS