PM Phuc urges Hanoi to set example in Covid-19 fight

Hanoi must set the best example nationwide in the fight against the pandemic and at the same time try to fulfill its socio-economic targets set for 2020, said Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the meeting. Source: VGP.

This would be Hanoi’s best contribution to the country’s development, added Phuc at a meeting with Hanoi’s leaders regarding the capital’s socio-economic development on April 20.

Hanoi’s 3.72% GRPD growth in the first quarter (Q1) showed the city’s strong efforts to cope with the pandemic, but remained low compared the same period last year, Phuc said, adding Hanoi should take more drastic measures to address bottlenecks to growth.

Referring to predictions of international organizations that Vietnam is on track to become the fastest growing economy in Southeast Asia, Phuc stated there is room for Hanoi to maintain growth momentum.

According to a report from Hanoi’s authorities, as the Covid-19 impacts were limited in the first two months, the industrial–construction sectors and services were growth driving forces in Q1, growing 5.46% and 3.2% year-on-year, respectively.

Hanoi plans to speed up development of sectors with high growth potential in the current pandemic situation such as agriculture and medical equipment production, e-commerce, e-payment, and online learning, among others, while the agricultural sector has potential for growth this year.

In the January-March period, the number of enterprises suspending operations in Hanoi surged 36% year-on-year to 4,240 while over 13,215 people filed unemployment insurance claim, up 22.2% year-on-year.

In the most optimistic growth scenario, Hanoi sticks to the GRDP growth target of 7.5% for 2020.

Overview of the meeting. Source: VGP.

At the meeting, Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Vuong Dinh Hue said thanks to strong measures, the city has basically controlled the pandemic.

Hue suggested that the PM should partially ease social distancing orders in Hanoi and other cities/provinces so that they could resume economic activities at a certain degree during the pandemic.

Hue reiterated Hanoi’s determination to achieve a GRDP growth rate 1.3-fold as much the national average and the agricultural sector is set to expand 4.04%.

Regarding public investment, Hue said the city would speed up all infrastructure projects of both public and private investment, a key measure to boost economic growth at present.

In his concluding remarks, PM Phuc said Hanoi should continue to focus on fighting the Covid-19 pandemic and protecting the welfare of its citizens.

The PM requested Hanoi to ensure sufficient supplies of basic necessities and provide supporting programs for those hurt by the pandemic.