The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) on October 19 held a workshop on the development of Vietnam's National Voluntary Review (VNR) 2023 concerning its progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Overview of the workshop.

At the workshop, Vice Minister of Planning and Investment (MPI) Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc noted SDGs have become a key priority in Vietnam’s development strategies at every level to ensure that “no one is left behind.”

According to Ngoc, Vietnam has achieved major progress in sustainable poverty reduction, expanded the coverage of essential healthcare services and clean water, and maintained a high level of forest coverage.

In addition, the proportion of renewable energy in the total final energy consumption has also increased significantly in the past years, Ngoc added.

The vice minister said via the VNR2023 that Vietnam is expected to share its experiences in realizing SDGs, especially after five years since the first VNR, while drawing on lessons learned in this process to map out priorities in the coming time.

Ngoc called for the participation of Government agencies at all levels and domestic and international organizations in drafting VNR2023.

“This is to ensure voices from all stakeholders are heard, eventually contributing to the overall goal of realizing SDGs,” Ngoc said.

At the workshop, Representative of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) Dennis Quennet and UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Pauline Fatima Temesis expressed their commitment to support Vietnam in drafting VNR2023.

Members of Government agencies and international organizations stressed their support for the VNR2023 while highlighting the efforts of the MPI in creating a platform for all parties to take part in its drafting.

Those participating in the workshop said the VNR2023 would be essential for all parties to identify steps for Vietnam to realize SDGs by 2030.

Rang Dong's LED Tube production line. File photo

Hanoi takes steps toward sustainable development

For the period 2021-2025, Hanoi has set a target of achieving an average gross regional domestic product (RGDP) growth of 7.5-8%; in which the service sector would account for 65 - 65.5%, industry and services for 22.5 - 23%, and agro-forestry-fisheries for 1.4 - 1.6%.

To realize this goal, the city is focusing on promoting the development of industrial infrastructure and vital industrial products, seen as the task to realize sustainable growth.

During the first six months of 2022, the municipal Department of Industry and Trade has started the construction of six industrial clusters and is accelerating the progress of 38 others.

In line with the expansion of industrial production sites, the city has prioritized developing key industrial products.

The action program No.2 set out by the Hanoi Party Committee to realize the five-year development goals has stressed the necessity for the city to “focus on revising of the growth model, economic restructuring and global integration, to improve productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness of Hanoi’s economy towards rapid and sustainable development in 2021 – 2025.”

During this period, the city targets the supporting industries to make up 30% of the total value of industrial production, or a 5% increase from the current level; raising the value of key industrial parks by 40-45% of total industrial production; and support at least 10% of enterprises in Hanoi to join Vietnam’s top 500 companies.

Hanoi has named 117 products from 81 companies as the city’s key industrial products. Of these, 22 have earned over VND1 trillion (US$40.8 million) each, 12 are among Vietnam’s top 500 companies and ten own internationally recognized brands.

Chairman of the Hanoi Association of Main Industrial Products (HAMI) Le Vinh Son said the city’s recognition of key industrial products would be a prerequisite for local businesses to promote their brands.

“With this recognition, companies would be able to raise public awareness of their brands and further penetrate international markets,” Son said.

To date, Hanoi currently has eight groups of leading industrial products consisting of thousands of different types.

Most companies with qualified key industrial products are of large scale with high competitiveness and have integrated into the global value chain.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Hanoi Management Board of Industrial and Processing zone Le Quang Long said, in the first half of 2022, the Board attracted four new projects with a combined registered capital of $20 million and another $62 million pumped into 12 existing projects.

According to Long, companies operating in industrial parks in Hanoi during the January-June period earned a total revenue of $4.9 billion and paid over $238.5 million in taxes.

Acting Director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade Tran Thi Phuong Lan said in the coming time, the department would work on the city’s objectives for socio-economic development in 2022, focusing on addressing the concerns of businesses during their recovery process, along with ongoing efforts in simplifying administrative procedures and improving the business environment.

“A priority is accelerating the implementation of trade facilities and industrial infrastructure, including industrial parks, logistics centers, and shopping malls,” said Lan.

Meanwhile, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen said during the 2021-2025 period, the city is committed to accompanying the business community in promoting industrial products using advanced and environmentally friendly technologies and high-added value; supporting local firms in the digitalization for higher productivity and promoting new industrial sectors.

“Hanoi envisions having new products and brands capable of competing in the regional and international market,” Quyen said.