Hanoi seeks further international cooperation for growth: Mayor

Hanoi is seeking support from diplomatic missions abroad to promote better global understanding of Vietnam and its capital, while creating opportunities to attract investment for development.

Overview of the meeting. Photo: The Hanoi Times

Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Tran Sy Thanh made the remarks during a meeting with the newly appointed heads of Vietnamese Diplomatic Missions abroad for the 2023-2026 term today [April 21].

During the meeting, the Director of the Hanoi Department of Planning and Investment Le Anh Quan provided an overview of the capital’s development situation, saying the economy has maintained positive growth in early 2023.

By the end of the first quarter of 2023, Hanoi's Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) was 1.7 times higher than the national average at 5.8% year on year, with budget revenue exceeding VND138 trillion (US$5.87 billion), accounting for approximately 40% of the yearly estimate.

Additionally, the total development investment capital increased by 8.6%. Hanoi also witnessed the establishment of 7,500 new businesses with a total registered capital of VND73 trillion ($3.1 billion).

The number of tourists in the first quarter of 2023 increased by 2.2 times compared to the same period last year, with international visitors increasing by a remarkable 15 times. In terms of foreign direct investment (FDI), Quan highlighted that after a significant decline in 2021 due to the impact of Covid-19, Hanoi's FDI attraction rebounded in 2022, reaching $1.77 billion.

In the first quarter of 2023, FDI attraction made a remarkable breakthrough, reaching $1.71 billion, almost equivalent to the entire year of 2022, a remarkable increase of 260% compared to the same period in 2022.

For his part, Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh pointed out that diplomatic missions have contributed a great deal to Hanoi's socio-economic development.

The Chairman outlined Hanoi's development priorities for the near future, which include establishing planning frameworks and revising the Capital Law, fostering cultural industries as a potential driver of economic growth, promoting high-tech industries and software development, and investing in agriculture to meet domestic needs and those of foreigners in Vietnam.

He expected the heads of Vietnamese diplomatic missions abroad to conduct thorough research on issues related to Hanoi's development and make efforts to effectively convey the city's messages, wishes, and conditions to international friends.

“Such endeavors are seen as instrumental in enhancing understanding of Vietnam and Hanoi, as well as creating opportunities for practical and effective investment and cooperation,” Thanh said.

Speaking on behalf of the diplomatic missions, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang highly appreciated Hanoi's comprehensive achievements in recent years and expressed gratitude to the authorities and people of the capital for their valuable contributions to foreign affairs, especially in carrying out the country's most challenging and important diplomatic missions.

Hang reiterated the importance of economic diplomacy for national development and suggested that Hanoi continue its efforts to develop an overseas investment strategy, including the exploration of new markets.

The Deputy Minister assured that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will always accompany Hanoi and expressed her readiness to welcome Hanoi's units to directly explore foreign markets and promote cooperation in various fields.

In this regard, the heads of Vietnamese missions abroad at the meeting actively exchanged information on opportunities, foreign strategies, and economic potentials in their host countries. This information exchange is expected to help promote Hanoi's cooperation projects and programs with international partners in areas of mutual interest and serve as a bridge to facilitate such cooperation.