The 16th Hanoi People's Council of the 2021-2026 term convenes its 12th session today [July 3] to discuss the city's affairs for the remainder of the year.

Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue, the 4th from left, and leaders of Hanoi at the 12th session. Photos: Thanh Hai/The Hanoi Times

In his opening speech, Chairman of the Hanoi People's Council Nguyen Ngoc Tuan said that the four-day session aims to review the capital's socio-economic development, national security, income and expenditure situation in the first six months of the year.

The meeting will also discuss tasks and solutions for the remaining months of 2023, as well as other important matters under its jurisdiction.

Assessing the city's socio-economic performance, Tuan stressed that Hanoi has successfully implemented the "dual goal" of pandemic prevention and economic recovery.

Despite the challenges, Hanoi's economy has continued to develop, with positive changes in the economic structure. The city's growth in 2021-2022 was 1.12 times the national average, and in the first six months of 2023, it was 1.6 times higher at 5.97%. 

The budget revenue target was met and exceeded the annual objective, while the planning work was accelerated.

In addition, Hanoi is focusing on strategic and long-term tasks such as adjusting the overall master plan for construction, developing capital planning, and revising the Capital Law.

Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung.

Tuan noted that the city is actively moving forward with the construction of Ring Road 4 in the Hanoi Capital Region, and is implementing investment decisions in health, school renovation and upgrading, and restoration of historical sites for 2021-2025 and beyond.

Meanwhile, the city's economy continues to face headwinds, with a growth rate in the Jannuary-June period lower than last year.

Several industries and exports faced difficulties, leading to a decline in purchasing power in the domestic market, which affected the production and operations of enterprises.

Although public investment disbursement increased compared to the previous period, it remained slow.

Overview of the session.

During the session, the Municipal People's Council will discuss the direction of urban space and infrastructure development with the adjustment of the Hanoi Capital Master Plan until 2045, with a vision until 2065.

Other important issues to be discussed include the expediting of delayed public projects.

Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung called on the People's Council to further strengthen its role, authority, and responsibility in deciding important matters for the city.

Dung added that the city should strive for innovation and improve its activities' quality, effectiveness, and efficiency at all levels. Specifically, it should focus on selecting critical issues of interest to the electorate and the public to monitor, such as administrative reform, discipline and enforcement of order, the progress of public projects and works, traffic and environmental issues, land and construction rules, as well as addressing production and business challenges and dealing with the city's delayed projects.

"The goal is to remove obstacles, allocate resources effectively, maintain security and order, fight corruption and waste, and ensure compliance with the law and the reality of the capital," Dung said.

The Council should also strengthen its work to review, insist on and monitor the implementation of the resolutions, conclusions, monitoring recommendations and commitments made by the Hanoi People's Committee.

"This joint effort is aimed at solving difficulties, removing bottlenecks, and facilitating the city's development process while improving the lives of voters," Dung concluded.