A view of HCM City’s District 2. The proposal to establish the new Thủ Đức City by merging the city’s eastern districts of 2, 9 and Thủ Đức is expected to be approved by the National Assembly Standing Committee on December 9. — VNA/VNS Photo Mạnh Linh

HCM CITY — The year-end HCM City People’s Council session that opened yesterday is set to pass a resolution on budget revenues and expenditure and discuss the city’s economic recovery plans for 2021.

Nguyễn Thị Lệ, its chairwoman, praised the efforts made by the People’s Committee to carry out the socio-economic, cultural and other tasks set out for 2020, and said it had plans in place for economic recovery next year.

The Covid-19 situation remained unpredictable globally and in Việt Nam, affecting the city and country’s efforts to achieve socio-economic targets, she said.

Fortunately they had taken drastic measures to contain the virus, enabling recovery and socio-economic development, she said. The city’s economic growth rate this year had been 1.39 per cent.

The city should continue to remain on guard, she said.

It should also work to speed up public investment and address other public problems, she said.

“A number of industries and services have experienced a slowdown. Administrative reform remains tardy. The criteria for assessing the satisfaction of the public and businesses have not been consistent.”

Construction-related violations remained a critical issue in some places that are urbanising rapidly.

Flooding, traffic congestion and accidents were other problems, while social order and safety remained problematic, she said, citing drug crimes as a particular concern.

New Thủ Đức City 

Uông Chu Lưu, vice chairman of the National Assembly, said at the opening that the proposal to establish the new Thủ Đức City was expected to be approved by the National Assembly Standing Committee on December 9.

The People’s Council recently passed a resolution to merge the city’s eastern districts of 2, 9 and Thủ Đức into one administrative unit to create an innovation hub tentatively called Thủ Đức City.

It will spread over 211 square kilometres and house more than a million people.

At the Q&A session today, delegates will question Nguyễn Thành Phong, chairman of the People’s Committee, on socio-economic development and other related issues.

The People’s Council will consider proposals by the People’s Committee such as the issuance of fees for the use of public infrastructure works and utilities at seaport border gates, and rename 224 roads after Vietnamese heroic mothers, famous scientists and cultural and historical events. 

The People’s Council will also consider proposals for a sustainable poverty alleviation programme in 2021-25, organisation of annual cultural festival events, the establishment of an Office of the National Assembly Delegation and HCM City People’s Council, and others.

Its Standing Committee will report on administrative reform and Resolution 54 of the National Assembly on specific mechanisms and policies for the city’s development.

The meeting is expected to elect two additional vice chairpersons for the People’s Committee.

After the meeting, People’s Council delegates will visit the first metro line from Bến Thành to Suối Tiên. — VNS  

A view of HCM City’s District 2. The proposal to establish the new Thủ Đức City by merging the city’s eastern districts of 2, 9 and Thủ Đứcis expected to be approved by the National Assembly Standing Committee on December 9. — VNA/VNS Photo Mạnh Linh