Hanoi has succeeded in keeping the low Covid-19 infection and fatality rates, along with ensuring smooth business activities during the pandemic.
| Deputy Nguyen Minh Duc from Hoang Mai District. Photos: Thanh Hai |
Deputy Nguyen Minh Duc from Hoang Mai District stressed the view during a debate of the municipal 16th People’s Council today [December 8].
Duc referred to the data on December 6 that showed Hanoi’s infection rate per population at 0.17% and fatality per infection cases of 0.36%, which remained low compared to the corresponding rates of Washington (9.68% and 1.79%), New Delhi (5.05% and 1.74%), Berlin (7.82% and 1.35%), or Singapore (4.73% and 0.28%).
To address bottlenecks in socio-economic development in 2022, Duc called for drastic measures in accelerating the site clearance process, seen as the main hindrance in the majority of public projects in the city.
Referring to the substantial changes in business operation and social activities over the last two years since the outbreak of the pandemic, Duc suggested the city continue pushing for the digitalization process and subsequently promote the digital government.
| Deputy Nguyen Lan Huong from Quoc Oai District. |
Deputy Nguyen Lan Huong from Quoc Oai District shared the same sentiment on Hanoi’s Covid-19 response and highlighted the policy of allowing treatment of Covid-19 infection cases with mild symptoms and quarantining close contacts at home, which help relieve pressure on the healthcare system.
Deputy Le Thi Thu Hang (Tay Ho District), however, called for the local authorities to issue consistent guidance for localities on treating Covid-19 cases at home for greater efficiency in responding to the pandemic.
Business community expecting more support
Deputy Pham Dinh Doan from Me Linh District noted the business community continues to struggle with the Covid-19 impacts and thus is in need of greater support from the authorities.
Meanwhile, Deputy Nguyen Thanh Xuan (Ha Dong District) stressed the priorities for Hanoi in 2022 to continue containing the pandemic and boosting socio-economic recovery, for which efficient management of the state budget is essential.
| Deputy Pham Dinh Doan from Me Linh District. |
Deputy Nguyen Bich Thuy from Cau Giay District added the necessity to focus on administrative reform, which remains significant during the pandemic.
“Favorable administrative procedures are important for businesses and people in the process of adapting to the new normal,” Thuy said.
| Vice-Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Ha Minh Hai. |
In response to deputies’ opinions, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Ha Minh Hai said the city stays focused on pursuing the twin goal of both fighting the pandemic and pushing for growth.
“The move is essential for Hanoi to realize the growth target of 7-7.5% in 2022,” Hai added.
Among solutions to boost growth, Hai noted the city would propose an investment package of VND1 trillion ($43.6 million) to improve health facilities at grassroots levels.
According to Hai, Hanoi is committed to continuing supporting businesses by a combination of solutions, including waiving and freezing fees, taxes, providing preferential loans, and promoting the digitalization process in both public and private sectors.
Hanoi targets GRDP growth of 7-7.5% in 2022 The Hanoi People’s Council on the same day ratified a resolution on a socio-economic development plan for 2022, including a GRDP growth of 7-7.5%. The resolution provides the goal for Hanoi of ensuring flexible and safe adaptation to the pandemic in 2022, in turn laying the foundation for economic recovery. To realize these goals, Hanoi has set up eight groups of solutions, including the mobilization of resources in Covid-19 response; improving healthcare capabilities; accelerating vaccination program to soon build the herd immunity, and administrating vaccine for children from 2022. Hanoi would continue to provide stimulus packages to aid economic recovery and ensure efficient implementation of the pilot urban administration model. As part of the administrative reform, the city aims for 100% of enterprises and business associations in Hanoi to use e-invoices by the end of the first quarter of 2022. Other solutions would be to strengthen urban management; effective utilization of natural resources and environmental protection; support sustainable poverty reduction and job creation; promote cultural and social development. |
