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Hanoi eyes 10 percent GDP growth rate in 2009
The Hanoi People’s Council convened its 17th session on Dec. 8, targeting a gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of between 9.5-10 percent for 2009.
The council also set the goals of a 20 percent increase in export revenue, an 18-20 percent growth in social investment, and a 5 percent rise in budget collection, alongside with creating 126,000 new jobs and reducing the poverty rate among the city’s households to 14 percent.
In particular, the council deputies also vowed to lower the birthrate by 0.2 percent from 2008 with a 1-percent reduction in the number of third birth cases.
Hanoi People’s Committee Vice Chairman Phi Thai Binh reported that the city has failed to achieve the GDP target of 11.5-12 percent set for 2008 due to various difficulties resulting from high inflation, financial turmoil, epidemics, unusual cold spells and particularly large scale floods in early November.
2008 also marks the first year that Hanoi ’s administrative boundary has been expanded to include the neighbouring Ha Tay province and parts of Vinh Phuc and Hoa Binh provinces. This has posed both advantages and disadvantages to the management and development of the city.
However, Binh noted, with its concerted efforts, the capital posted a GDP growth rate of 10.58 percent, an export turnover of more than 6.9 billion USD and a total social investment capital of 97.7 trillion VND (roughly 5.9 billion USD), respective year-on-year rises of 35.5 and 19.3 percent.
Hanoi recorded impressive results in attracting foreign direct investment with 5 billion USD poured into 300 projects, doubling the 2007 figure. Its budget revenues hit 68.6 trillion VND (about 4.1 billion USD), surpassing the yearly plan by 13.9 percent.
Addressing the event, National Assembly Vice Chairman Uong Chu Luu stressed that Hanoi plays an important role in implementing the country’s overall tasks aimed at curbing inflation, stabilising the macro economy, ensuring social security and maintaining sustainable growth.
The legislator urged the municipal authorities to work out mechanisms to lure more talents and investment sources to serve the development of the city.
Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Pham Quang Nghi said the city would focus on overcoming the aftermath of the recent historic floods, accelerating administrative reform and speeding up the tempo of major projects for on-schedule completion to mark the capital’s 1,000th founding anniversary.
He also affirmed the city’s resolve to join hands with the government to rein in inflation, prevent economic slowdown, and especially to maintain stable and sustainable economic growth and ensure social security, food hygiene and effective protection of the environment.
VNA
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