Hà Nội at dusk. The investment and business environment have been improved to help develop the capital city. – VNA/VNS Photo Ngọc Hà

HÀ NỘI – Enterprise drives the development of Hà Nội and the city has committed to leading the country in improving the investment and business environment and supporting enterprises, said municipal leaders at a conference in Hà Nội yesterday.

The Hà Nội 2017 – Co-operation, Investment and Development conference attracted more than 1000 delegates, including leaders of the Government, ministries, sectors, and representatives of diplomatic agencies, international organisations and domestic and foreign investors.

This year’s conference once again affirmed the city’s commitment to work with enterprises and create the best conditions for businessmen and investors to start up, invest and develop long-term businesses in the capital city.

Speaking at the event, Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Hoàng Trung Hải affirmed that Hà Nội leaders are aware that the key to the city’s development is to side with enterprises, with the private economy a driving force in its economic restructuring. 

Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyễn Đức Chung said that Hà Nội lead in implementing Government instructions and in building a service administration. 

“Hà Nội always welcomes and wants to co-operate with all investors, businesses, associations and localities inside and outside Việt Nam,” he said. 

The satisfaction of enterprises and citizens helps measure the professionalism and efficiency of the city’s administration, he said.

He added that Hà Nội will prioritise attracting investment projects using new technologies and clean energies, with a focus on satellite urban areas, urban railways, belt roads and car parks. 

Development solutions

To attract more investors and talent, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc urged Hà Nội to work to connect businesses and involve residents and both domestic and international enterprises in building the city. 

The city should also boost administrative reform and build a responsible, trustworthy and effective apparatus through developing the capacity of officials and cadres, he said.

Continuing to improve the business and investment environment to earn more trust from investors, businesses and citizens is also necessary, he said.

The PM asked Hà Nội to improve planning work and develop in line with social infrastructure.

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyễn Chí Dũng suggested Hà Nội remove some State establishments from the centre of the city to reduce pressure on the infrastructure system and create space to develop trade and services and to effectively use land in outskirt areas.

The city should study measures to reduce traffic congestion, particularly policies relating to population and personal vehicle management, he said.

Chairman of the Việt Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Vũ Tiến Lộc said investors want more improvements from the capital city.

“Hà Nội should continue changing investment procedures. Investors still face difficulties in completing investment procedures, particularly those relating to land. More scientific and transparent procedures with policies to support investors when needed should be prioritised in the city’s administrative reform,” he said.

The city should also address overloading of urban infrastructure during the investment promotion procedures.

A VCCI study revealed that investors of high quality and big projects had high expectations not only about infrastructure and human resources but also about public administrative services and administration quality, Lộc said.

Chairman of the Hà Nội Young Business Association Trần Anh Vương said Hà Nội should be pioneer of the country in start-ups with a focus on human resources training.

Participants also discussed how to make Hà Nội a smart city with international integration and sustainable development.

Socio-economic achievements

At the conference, PM Phúc highlighted Hà Nội’s efforts to improve its investment-business environment, with the city’s provincial competitiveness index jumping 10 spots, ranking 14th out of 63 provinces and cities – its highest ever ranking, while its index of public administrative reform also climbed six spots. In the year, nearly VNĐ440 trillion (US$19.36 billion) was poured into investment projects in the locality.

Investment licenses

Hà Nội presented decisions approving investment proposals and investment licences for 48 projects with total registered capital of more than VNĐ74 trillion ($3.25 billion) at the conference. The city and investors also signed 15 memoranda of understanding worth nearly VNĐ135 trillion ($5.94 billion). — VNS