~ Le Viêt Nam, aujourd'hui. ~
The Vietnam News

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[Year 2002]

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.