Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc addresses the working session

A report showed that in the first quarter of 2019, the city’s GRDP grew 7.64 percent, with the service sector making up 63.1 percent of the economic structure and the agriculture sector only accounting for 0.6 percent.

HCM City’s budget collection was estimated at over 98.36 trillion VND, up 7.18 percent year-on-year and reaching 24.65 percent of the yearly estimate.

Leaders of the municipal People’s Committee proposed a number of special mechanisms and procedures to save time in ground clearance for local projects.

They held that it is necessary to clarify the stages of the procedure and the specific agencies responsible for it; allocating time for completion of the work in each stage; and defining the maximum time for the conclusion of compensation, support, resettlement, and handover of sites.

Addressing the working session, PM Phuc lauded the city’s performance so far this year, noting that the city has taken the lead in applying technology and improving labour productivity.

However, he pointed out that FDI poured into the city has yet to match its potential, while foreign investment in processing-manufacturing has remains modest. The PM requested the city work harder in administrative reform to optimise its role as the region’s connection point.

In addition, the PM asked the city to pay greater attention to raiding drug trafficking rings to ensure social security.

PM Phuc directed the city to seek ways to remove obstacles hindering development; take on its pioneering role in building a smart and creative city; improve competitiveness; and maintain its position as one of the driving forces for the country’s economic development as a hub of finance, trade, science, and technology both nationally and within ASEAN.

He requested that HCM City complete the new-style rural area building programme in 2019.

He directed ministries and sectors to support the city in dealing with issues related to some projects, including the Metro Line No.1.

Regarding the city’s proposal on special mechanisms and procedures to shorten times for the compensation, resettlement, and handover of land for local projects, the PM affirmed that the Government supports the city in the field.

He assigned the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to collect ideas from other ministries and sectors before debating the matter at the upcoming government meeting to serve as a foundation for the Government to issue a resolution helping the city to pilot the special mechanisms.

On the occasion, the PM visited the smart city operation centre in HCM City.–VNA