HCM CITY — HCM City has set out a plan to use the Party’s assets more effectively based on market economy principles, according to the secretary of HCM City Party Committee.

Speaking at the 18th HCM City Party Committee conference which closed yesterday, Nguyễn Thiện Nhân said: “It’s vital to ensure that the city’s Party’s assets are used effectively on the basis of a market economy”.

In the coming time, the city Party Committee Office will not be in charge of doing business but will transfer responsibility to appropriate companies under the city’s Party, according to Nhân.

For example, the city Party Committee has been involved in business activities such as leasing out land and property to generate revenue, but it will no longer take part in such activities.

He also urged the police to work with agencies to ensure security in cyberspace, including protecting the prestige of high-ranking officials.

“The police force must also respond quickly to acts of sabotage of hostile and reactionary forces in cyberspace, and control high-tech crimes,” he added.

Nhân stressed the importance of political and ideological education for all Government officials, saying that it was essential to build a qualified staff of Government officials under Resolution No. 26.

“The new requirement is to clarify the responsibilities of Government officials at all levels,” he said.

From now to the end of the year, the city will rearrange staff in some districts and departments to ensure efficiency in the operation of the city party committee.

The city Party Committee will implement policies to recruit talented officials and will encourage officials to “dare to think and do” and “take responsibility”. 

The committee will also have policies to encourage officials with limited capacity or health to voluntarily take early retirement so that eligible employees can replace them, he noted.

Nhân also said the committee would strictly punish anyone who offers a bribe to get a high-ranking position. 

Socio-economic development

HCM City maintained stable economic growth at 7.89 per cent in the first nine months.

Investment accounted for 33 per cent of the city’s GDP, while the state budget collected reached VNĐ269 trillion (US$11.53 billion), with an average collection of VNĐ1 trillion daily.   

Nhân also urged district authorities to speed up the progress of a programme to develop new rural areas in the city.

The programme to build new rural areas in 56 communes in the city’s five outlying districts has failed to meet targets, especially in road infrastructure (only one commune met the target) and healthcare (only four communes met the target).

As for income, the target is VNĐ63 million ($2,700) per person per year, but so far only two communes (Vĩnh Lộc B in Bình Chánh District and Phước Kiển in Nhà Bè District) have reached the target.

HCM City continues to be the economic and financial hub of Việt Nam, but its export growth is currently lower than that of other localities.

In addition, industrial production has not shown sustainable growth, and the city has yet to identify key products for investment.

The city’s supporting industries are also developing too slowly, and the use of technology in agriculture remains modest, according to Nhân.

The city has not resolved problems associated with urban planning, flooding, traffic congestion and air pollution.

Speaking at the meeting, Lê Thanh Liêm, vice-chairman of the city People’s Committee, said the city aimed to have 1,000 start-up enterprises and 500 medium- and large-sized enterprises in the coming time.  

The city also wants to develop a creative modern urban area in the eastern part of the city, including District 2, 9 and Thủ Đức.

Nhân said the city would organise a contest this month to seek ideas to build the creative and modern urban area so that it can be implemented in 2020.

He said the city should continue to tap all financial resources and transform its growth model towards higher productivity, quality, efficiency and competitiveness.

Nhân said it was also important to further enhance leadership and management in enforcing the resolutions of the Party Committee Congress.

To contribute to the city’s development, Nhân called on agencies to review and research innovation in all fields. — VNS