VietNamNet Bridge – HCM City needs to address infrastructure shortcomings and the quality of human resources in order to boost growth and competitiveness, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong told a Politburo meeting in Ha Noi on Friday.

In the meeting, held to review the progress of the nation's largest city pursuant to Resolution 20/NQ-TW of the 9th Party Central Committee, Trong emphasised the city's role as an important hub of trade, culture, education, science and technology, international exchange and national development.

However, poor competitiveness, overloaded infrastructure and shortcomings in urban planning and management were hindering the city's sustainable development, he said.

HCM City currently accounted for over 21 per cent of the nation's GDP and nearly 30 per cent of State budget revenues, Trong noted. In over 25 years of renewal, it has recorded comprehensive achievements, including an average economic growth rate of over 11 per cent per year, 1.5 times the national pace. The city also generated 28 per cent of the nation's export turnover and nearly 44 per cent of its tourism revenues. Per capita income in HCM City was 2.4 times higher than the national level.

HCM City has targeted annual per-capita GDP of US$8,500 by the year 2020, as with improved transportation infrastructure and healthcare services and an expansion of rural areas.

Appreciating the city's creativity and dynamism, Trong encouraged the city to try new ideas to deal with newly-emerging issues during the development process. At the same time, he urged the city to preserve and promote the national cultural identity and local characteristics.

He also called on HCM City leaders to narrow the gap between the rich and poor in the city and ensure social security and safety.
At the meeting, the Politburo agreed to draft a new resolution on orientations and tasks for HCM City development through 2020.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News