Ho Chi Minh City reported positive socio-economic achievements in the first four months of 2021 despite the impacts of COVID-19, the municipal People’s Committee said at a virtual meeting on Tuesday afternoon.

According to Ho Chi Minh City chairman Nguyen Thanh Phong, in the January-April period, the four key industries in the city scored an impressive overall growth rate of 11 percent over the same period in 2020.

Particularly, total retail sales and consumer service revenue rose 7.9 percent, while merchandise retail trade increased nine percent.

Accommodation and catering services posted a growth rate of 26.3 percent over the same period last year as well.

Export turnover was estimated at US$15.5 billion, up nearly 14 percent. 

According to chairman Phong, in the past four months, there have been nearly 5,600 enterprises resuming their operations, marking an increase of over 95 percent.

In spite of no international visitors to the city due to the ongoing pandemic, the city welcomed nearly 6.2 million domestic tourists, contributing a total revenue of nearly VND30 trillion ($1.29 billion), up 17 percent.

Besides, the total tax revenue hit 38 percent of the estimate at more than VND140.3 trillion ($6.06 billion), increasing 15.7 percent year on year. 

Regarding the missions in May, the municipal chairman said that the COVID-19 prevention and control was still a top priority.

Ho Chi Minh City chairman Nguyen Thanh Phong is pictured at a municipal virtual meeting on the local socio-economy, May 11, 2021. Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Press Center

Regarding the improvement of the business environment and national competitiveness, the city’s leader emphasized the need for stronger solutions.

“The leader of each unit will be accountable to the chairman of the municipal People’s Committee for the improvement of the investment environment to support business operations,” he said.

Phong urged agencies at all levels to deal with projects that are facing difficulties in terms of site clearance and administrative procedures.

“There are businesses that have to rely on bank capital and pay high interest to lenders every day,” the chairman said.

“Our delay will greatly affect them. 

“You must put yourself in their shoes.”

Phong asked departments to streamline administrative procedures and proposed disciplinary measures for those failing to give a response after 15 days.

“If a department causes obstacles to a licensing process, it has to take responsibility,” Phong underscored.

“If necessary, rewards and commendations can be stripped off any units that do not make drastic improvement.