Former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai passed away on March 17 but he lives in the heart of the people, especially those in Ho Chi Minh City, as a child of Cu Chi who made great contributions to the development of the city and the country. The late Prime Minister left a deep imprint on the process of building and developing Ho Chi Minh City - a dynamic, warm city that pioneers in innovation.

Tan Thong Hoi is the first new-style rural commune in Vietnam. 

It is not hard to imagine the dramatic change in ​the commune when considering it as part of Cu Chi iron land, which was bombed during wars in the previous century.

The new face of Cu Chi and other suburban areas in Ho Chi Minh City has been attributed to the efforts and determination of the Party, the government and people of Ho Chi Minh City.

Since the start of the doi moi (renewal) process, Ho Chi Minh City has been the role model in innovation.

Former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai left a marked imprint on the renewal process of the city when he served the office as Deputy Secretary of the municipal Party Committee and Chairman of the municipal People's Committee from 1985 to 1989.

"Former Prime Minister Khai was born into a family of farmers in Cu Chi. He always paid attention to improving life for people in the former war resistance areas, with a poverty reduction programme in 1992. He contributed significantly to mapping out the city's socio-economic development plan," Former head of Popularisation & Education Commission of Municipal Party Committee, Phan Xuan Bien said.

Thanks to his experience at the Planning Committee in Ho Chi Minh City and the State Planning Committee, former Prime Minister Khai was well aware of the business community and businessmen as well as business issues.

After becoming head of the government, entrepreneurs and the business environment were one of his top priorities.

He always considered building the legal system to develop the market-oriented economy as the most important foundation for national development. And the Business Law that came into force in 1999 was the basis for the revision of economic policies in the following years.

"We amended the Business Law. The amendment is our step closer to the Business Law of other countries. During his working term, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai introduced a policy facilitating private enterprises’ operation," said lawyer Truong Thi Hoa from Ho Chi Minh City Bar Association.

The Business Law that came into force in 1999 and was amended in 2005, as well as the appearance of the stock market in 2000 was vivid proof of his vision.

Policies boosting the development of the private sector have contributed to the strong growth of Ho Chi Minh City's business community, helping Ho Chi Minh City maintain its role as the economic locomotive of the country.-VNA