“Capturing all opportunities, exerting reform efforts and taking drastic action, the entire political system, people and businesses are striving to realize the aspiration for a dynamic and developing Hai Phong,” said Mr. Nguyen Van Tung, Chairman of Hai Phong People's Committee, in an interview granted to our reporter.
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How is Hai Phong City working to achieve as good development results as in 2022?
In 2022, Hai Phong City lived through numerous challenges to achieve many impressive results. Its gross regional domestic product (GRDP) expanded 12.32% (ranked 8th in the country and 1.5 times higher than the national average). Its economic scale ranked 6th nationwide and its contribution to the country’s GDP reached 3.84%. And, for the first time, its budget revenue exceeded VND100 trillion (US$4.4 billion).
As we started 2023, Hai Phong City strived to achieve a GRDP growth of 12.7-13%, per capita GRDP of US$8,150, an industrial growth of 15%, a budget revenue of VND116,442 billion (US$5 billion), an export turnover of US$31 billion, 185 million tons of cargo handled via its ports, 7.3 million tourist arrivals, and US$2-2.5 billion of FDI capital.
To successfully accomplish these goals, the city is carrying out consistent tasks and solutions, with a focus on investment in infrastructure and site clearance for industrial zones and key projects. The city is also exerting resources to speed up important traffic routes and social housing development programs and improve the quality of human resources.
With its highest determination and effort, the city is expanding its achievements last year to fulfill the goals set for this year and create growth momentum for the whole period.
In the last five years, Hai Phong City has always stood in the Top 10 in PCI standing. How do you think the PCI has improved the city's business and investment environment over the past time?
PCI has produced a great impact on management and administration, and promoted the dynamism of the municipal government.
To stand in Top 10 PCI, Hai Phong City has adopted consistent and effective solutions. The city has added the content “Improving the business and investment environment” to the action program (in 2016-2020). Every year, the Hai Phong People's Committee carries out PCI improvement plans. In 2022 alone, Plan 268/KH-UBND was issued on November 30, 2022, eyeing to raise the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) in 2022-2025.
The city also has focused on building investor confidence by ensuring commitments on site clearance progress and removing obstacles and difficulties faced by investors in carrying out their projects. Hai Phong has launched the District and Department Competitiveness Index (DDCI). Furthermore, a lot of other business support initiatives have been introduced.
Do you have any messages to share with investors and companies?
In the last 10 years, Hai Phong has always been one of the biggest recipients of investment capital. In 2023 and the following years, the city strives to attract US$2-2.5 billion of foreign direct investment (FDI) and VND20 trillion (US$900 million) of domestic direct investment (DDI) each year. The city is committed to accelerating infrastructure investment in industrial zones. By 2025, the city will strongly develop and expand 15 industrial zones with a total area of 6,418 ha. By 2030, another 1,433 ha of industrial land and five small industrial complexes will be built in Tien Lang and Vinh Bao districts.
In 2023-2024, the city will put into use the Hai Phong-Thai Binh coastal road, and Wharf 5 and Wharf 6 in Lach Huyen Port, to improve freight transport and distribution capacity. At the same time, Hai Phong will carry out the social housing and worker housing development strategy as a prerequisite for investment attraction.
With its ongoing efforts for a better business investment environment and its willingness for business support, Hai Phong City is always ready to welcome big corporations to seek investment opportunities in the following areas: (i) key economic sectors and projects that produce high-added value, use modern advanced environment-friendly technology, economically use resources and generate a lot of tax for the State Budget; (ii) large logistics centers with supply chains that provide full logistics services at all stages; and (iii) international standard tourism projects aimed to promote cultural values of Hai Phong.
Thank you very much!
Source: Vietnam Business Forum
Vietnamese
October 2024
Hanoi