Hanoi works to improve competitiveness

THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi will improve public services through cooperation with the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), as part of its efforts to enhance its business investment environment and promote the development of the private sector.

Truong Viet Dung, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, said at the meeting with the VCCI on July 28, which focused on the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) and the Provincial Green Index (PGI).

Dung stated that Hanoi's efforts to raise its rankings are not just for show, but rather to drive meaningful reform and long-term sustainable growth.

Strengthening institutional partnerships

Based on the 2024 PCI and PGI results, Dung called on the VCCI to coordinate with the city in building an internal evaluation platform for both indexes, which will enable departments and communes to assess and monitor their performance in areas that directly affect the business environment.

Dung said that Hanoi will equip staff with the necessary tools and mindset to effectively meet PCI and PGI objectives.

Dung also called on the VCCI to support establishing a regular dialogue mechanism between the city and the business community to efficiently address business feedback.

The vice chairman also hinted at signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Hanoi and VCCI to establish a long-term partnership that aligns reforms with the city’s green and sustainable vision.

VCCI Vice Chairman Nguyen Quang Vinh said that in the coming months, VCCI will collaborate closely with the city to address strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges to improve governance and competitiveness.

Institutional reform and digital transformation

At the meeting, Pham Ngoc Thach, Deputy Director of the VCCI Legal Department, proposed that Hanoi continue pursuing institutional reform, promote public-private dialogue, and ensure the efficient implementation of policies, especially consolidating the grassroots administrative apparatus.

Thach urged the city to accelerate its digital transformation efforts to reduce administrative costs for businesses, particularly in areas such as taxation, land access, construction, fire safety, and market surveillance.

“Hanoi should build a responsive, efficient, and business-friendly government that can swiftly address enterprise concerns,” he said.

Thach acknowledged Hanoi’s recent progress in improving its business environment. Key areas such as market entry, land access, business support, and workforce training have seen significant improvements.

"Hanoi now ranks among the localities with the most effective enterprise support policies," he noted.

In addition, Hanoi’s robust network of universities and training centers provides quality human resources, creating favorable conditions for businesses and strengthening the city’s economic position.