The year 2022 is seen as a turning point for Hanoi to push for development as the city has in fact only three years left to realize socio-economic goals set for the 2021-2025 period.

Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung. Photos: Pham Hung

“The challenges, therefore, are huge and require strong efforts from the leaders down to each public servant next year.”

Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung gave the remarks during the conference discussing the implementation of Hanoi’s 2022 socio-economic development goals held on December 14.

According to Dung, despite the Covid-19 severe impacts, the city has been able to keep macro-fundamentals intact and is on track to hit a GRDP growth of 2.92% in 2021.

“The pandemic subsequently led to four lockdowns in 2021, but social welfare has been ensured with the strong determination of the entire political system,” Dung said.

Dung, however, also acknowledged the shortcoming in governance in certain departments, units, and the lack of cooperation among agencies, especially in realizing administrative procedures.

“These issues have undermined the efficiency of the local apparatus,” Dung noted.

To ensure strong socio-economic performance in 2022, Dung called for greater responsibilities from leaders of departments, units, and localities, focusing on the Covid-19 response.

This is particularly important in announcing the pandemic risk level at each locality and treating Covid-19 infected cases with mild symptoms at home.

“Leaders at each locality are directly responsible for the Covid-19 situation, which should be in line with the Government’s stance of safe and flexible adaptation to the pandemic,” Dung said.

Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Chu Ngoc Anh.

Continue supporting businesses in 2022

In response to Dung’s call, Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Chu Ngoc Anh noted the city has set up task-force groups specialized in addressing concerns of the business community while continuing to provide support for enterprises in form of waiving and freezing payments of taxes and fees.

This helped the city maintain positive economic growth and ensure socio-political security by fulfilling 16 out of 23 development targets.

The city’s state budget revenue is estimated at VND255 trillion ($11 billion), exceeding the 2021’s estimate by 8.3%.

Meanwhile, Hanoi’s economic growth expanded by 6.69% in the fourth quarter, in turn pushing the growth rate in 2021 to 2.92%.

“This is proof of the positive recovery in the post-pandemic period,” Anh said.

Coming to 2022, Anh stressed the necessity to continue ensuring safe and flexible adaptation to the pandemic, noting the move is essential to boost economic recovery.

Anh requested each locality to finalize its respective socio-economic development plans in 2022, including specific measures to support businesses, cooperatives, and households affected by the pandemic and speed up public investment.

The mayor urged the city to carry out a vaccination program for children of different age groups under the instruction of the Ministry of Health.

With two weeks left before the end of 2021, Anh expected the local apparatus to gear up and ensure the realization of the remaining socio-economic development targets in 2021, especially in state budget collection and public investment.

The city leader called for thorough preparation in all aspects from social welfare, public order to city renovation for the locals to enjoy healthy, safe and happy year-end festivals.