HCMC must become model of reform, innovation, national growth: NA Chairman

SGGP 21/03/2022 13:06

The National Assembly delegation yesterday had a meeting with the Standing Committee of Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee about last year’s work results and this year’s missions, as well as the implementation of Resolution No.54 by the National Assembly. Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue expressed his belief on HCMC transforming into a place well-worth living and a typical model of reform, innovation, and national development.

The NA delegation is working with the Standing Committee of Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee. (Photo: SGGP)

Having 13 percent of the national population, HCMC has always been the leader in economic growth of the country, accounting for 22-25 percent of the national GDP and 25-27 percent of the total state budget.

NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue voiced his worry at the time the city had to endure the harsh Covid-19 outbreak last year, severely affecting both social and economic aspects. Therefore, the Politburo, the Government, and the NA have introduced various mechanisms, policies to support HCMC in its recovery process.

Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue is delivering his speech in the meeting. (Photo: SGGP)

As a result, the total city budget revenues last year reached VND381,000 billion (US$16.62 billion), 4.5 percent more than the target; FDI investment attraction was $7.23 billion, an increase of 38.6 percent compared to 2020; exports was up by 2.8 percent compared to this time in 2020. Noticeably, the city economy has quickly recovered in the first two months this year, with some industries reaching the same level as that before the outbreak.

In addition, HCMC in 2021 tried to implement the theme ‘Year of Building Urban Government and Improving Investment Environment’. Last year was also the first one to operate the urban government model and Thu Duc City according to Resolution No.131 by the NA and Resolution No.1111 by the Standing Committee of the NA, respectively. Socio-cultural activities in the city were adjusted to suit Covid-19 prevention tasks, while social security, public security, and national defense tasks were all maintained, achieving impressive results.

HCMC leaders are receiving the gift from NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue. (Photo: SGGP)

The NA Chairman praised all of these with such winged words as ‘be proud, be confident, be smart, be passionate, and be successful!’, saying that those achievements have displayed the city’s strong determination, close cooperation, and bold decisions to make breakthroughs in operation in order to overcome any possible obstacles. It is worth mentioning the enthusiastic support from other provinces, ministries, state agencies, and the Vietnamese overseas.

There are yet certain goals that cannot be met since the fourth Covid-19 outbreak has, to some extent, eroded the city inner power, leaving it facing tough challenges and forcing it to seek new resources for recovery.

Welcoming strategic proposals of HCMC, Chairman Hue suggested that the NA’s units and central agencies submit to the NA their own recommendations to aid the city to the fullest.

Then he asked that HCMC continue to rectify and develop the city Party Committee to form a clean and strong political system which is cooperative, unified, responsible, qualified in serving both citizens and businesses. Also, the city should focus on constructing the institution, strictly following the Resolution of the 13^th Central Party Congress and Resolution of the 11^th HCMC Party Congress as to socio-economic recovery and development.

HCMC leaders are delivering a gift to NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue . (Photo: SGGP)

Other important tasks that the Chairman requested are Covid-19 prevention and control; implementation of economic recovery policies, especially newly approved fiscal and monetary ones to help businesses address current issues; major project carrying out (key projects like the construction of Metro Routes No.1 and No.2, Station T3 of Tan Son Nhat International Airport, HCMC-Moc Bai Express Way).

He mentioned the execution of 51 sub-programs and projects in the three breakthrough programs and one key program of the city, the acceleration of preparing and adjusting HCMC planning for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050 and HCMC master planning until 2040, with a vision to 2060.

One last essential task for the city to finish is administrative reform to create a more favorable environment for investment and trading in order to increase its own competitiveness, along with high-quality human resources development.

Secretary of HCMC Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen is delivering his speech in the meeting. (Photo: SGGP)

In the meeting, Secretary of HCMC Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen first showed his appreciation of the NA to the city via constructive discussions to tackle existing problems here.

He admitted that last year was an exceptionally difficult year for the city due to the pandemic mostly, and HCMC had to experience a negative development rate, which asks for much more effort and determination from the whole community and the municipal authorities now.

The city Party Chief then shared that most works lately, including Covid-19 prevention tasks, have encountered trouble due to limited legal regulations, with some even beyond the legal frames, mechanisms, or policies. Therefore, after this meeting, the city is going to prepare a proposal report to submit in the upcoming time.

Being the leader in the national economic growth, HCMC is confidently bouncing up despite its depleting state not too long ago. However, without suitable mechanisms and policies, the city can never fulfill its targets. Therefore, Secretary Nguyen Van Nen expressed his hoped that the NA will carefully consider the city’s proposals and deliver corresponding support so that HCMC can maintain its leading position in the sustainable growth of the country.

By Mai Hoa, Van Minh – Translated by Huong Vuong