The 16th Hanoi People’s Council of the 2021-2026 term today opened its 7th session to discuss the capital city’s key issues.

Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung. Photos: Thanh Hai

According to Chairman of  Hanoi People’s Council Nguyen Ngoc Tuan, the 7th session, which will last 3 and a half days, would devote most of the time for the discussion of matters related to socio-economic performance, including public investment; and also an interpellation session.

“Deputies of the People’s Council would have an opportunity to engage in broad debate over Hanoi’s major issues,” Tuan said.

In this regard, deputies are expected to give opinions on Hanoi’s socio-economic performance in the first six months of 2022, national security, state budget management, and the development objectives for the remainder of the year.

Tuan noted during the first half of the year, the city continued to face severe challenges from the Covid-19 impacts and global uncertainties.

Chairman of the municipal People's Council Nguyen Ngoc Tuan.

“Hanoi’s efforts in safe and flexible adaptation to the pandemic have resulted in the GRDP growth of 7.79%, a 1.29-fold increase against the same period of last year, while state budget revenue was equivalent to 56.8% of the year’s estimate, up 20.8%,” Tuan said.

Tuan also mentioned other key highlights, including the issuance of major plans for Hanoi, positive results in the urban renovation, maintaining social welfare intact, and progress in socio-cultural development.

Most recently, Hanoi has successfully hosted several events under the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), leaving a good impression on international friends.

Among the key tasks ahead, Tuan said Hanoi is speeding up the drafting of the overall construction planning until 2030, with a vision to 2050; the revision of the Capital Law; and the preparation process for the construction of Ring-road No.4.

Deputies at the session.

Identifying shortcomings to move ahead

Secretary of Hanoi People’s Committee Dinh Tien Dung called on the deputies of the Hanoi People’s Council to identify the city’s shortcomings and propose solutions for Hanoi to realize its socio-economic development targets in the latter half of 2022.

“Hanoi should stay focused on improving the business environment, addressing concerns of the business community, and further attracting resources for economic development,” Dung said.

With public investment being a key solution for growth, Dung called for the city to take drastic measures in accelerating the disbursement of public funds, especially in large-scale projects with high spillover effects.

“Funds from projects with slow progress should be transferred to those with higher pace,” he said, adding the results in this process would be considered as the gauge for performance evaluation of each locality, department, and individual.

Dung also stressed the necessity for Hanoi to make stronger administrative reform, including the removal of obsolete and unnecessary procedures that are causing frustration among businesses and people.