Vietnam's major cities plan to gallop in the Year of Horse
Hanoi: Year of Civilized Traffic and Urbanization
The Hanoi Party Committee has chosen 2002 as the year for civilized traffic and urbanization, focusing on
improving the traffic system and developing accommodation. The city will speed up site clearance for the
construction of residential buildings and outskirt road systems, and inaugurate projects on building elevated
and underground railways. It expects to raise VND2 trillion ($133 million), double the figure in 2001 - a year
that saw great changes in urban development - to generate substantial, real change.
Hai Phong: Year of Enterprise
The northern port city of Hai Phong intends to
accelerate state-owned enterprise restructuring
and reforms this year. Its goals are to clear
difficulties restricting enterprises, introduce
policies and regimes to liberalize the
investment environment, entice investment and
grey matter, and spend a considerable sum on
a fund providing soft loans to enterprises.
Quang Tri: Year of Policy Reforms
"We must lift all obstacles, creating smooth
ways with (reformed) policies to accelerate the
reform process," said central Quang Tri
province's party chief Vu Trong Kim. "We can
no longer maintain unlimited responsibility for
state-owned enterprises, and will shift some of
them to one-member limited liability firms this year," he added.
Quang Tri will introduce policies to promote investment, technology transfer and consumption.
Da Nang: Year of "Product Strategy"
The central city of Da Nang will spend considerably on intensive investment to renew technology, diversify
products and develop production strategies matching market demand. The city wants to increase the
proportion of the processing industry in its economy, as well as expand export manufacturing in the
garment, textile, footwear, seafood and high-tech industries.
It will also develop the finance and banking industry and services of high added value such as consulting,
insurance and real estate.
The city will expand eco-tourism to Son Tra Peninsula, Hai Van and Ba Na, and tourism services by sea
and air. The local party committee is to issue a resolution on developing tourism.
Ho Chi Minh City: Year of Urban Order
The second city will continue to strengthen urban management this year, after obtaining encouraging results
in 2001. It plans 12 major programs in dealing with traffic jams, waste and flooding, as well as adjusting
deteriorating lifestyles.
Can Tho: Year of Infrastructure Development
The Mekong Delta province of Can Tho is to raise VND2.9 trillion ($193 million), nearly five times that of
2001, for infrastructure construct, including power grids, roads, irrigation systems and technical
infrastructure in towns and districts. The province expects to plug in 85-90% of families to the power grid.
Ca Mau: Year of Production Restructuring
The southernmost Ca Mau province will develop its economy based on agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and
particularly aquaculture. It expects to produce 225,000 tons of seafood per annum, or 6% more than in
2001, including 130,000 tons caught and 95,000 tons from aquaculture sources. Shrimp will make up
80,000 tons of the total, up 12% against last year, including 10,000 tons caught and 70,000 tons from
ponds. The province will expand aqua-raising culture to 202,000 ha.
Financial Times Information Limited - February 08, 2002.
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