Hai Phong: Resolutely taking action to achieve the set growth target

Reporter: Sir, in 2025, Hai Phong City has proposed 6 key groups of solutions to achieve the growth target of 12.5% ​​in 2025 according to the target assigned in Resolution 25 of the Government. You once assessed that with the current economic scale of the city, achieving such growth is a big challenge, so what will Hai Phong do to achieve that growth target , sir?

Mr. Nguyen Van Tung : The year 2025 will mark an important stage in the development of Hai Phong. The scale of Hai Phong's GRDP in 2024 is nearly 446 trillion VND, equivalent to 18.3 billion USD, ranking 5th in the country after Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Dong Nai... Hai Phong City sets a growth target of 12.5%, the highest among the 5 localities with the largest economic scale in the country, demonstrating the high determination of the Party Committee, government and people of the City. This target is not just a number, but a driving force for Hai Phong to break through, contributing to the overall growth of the whole country. The City is clearly aware of the difficulties, especially when the economic scale of the City is increasingly growing.

In addition, the city also has to face external factors, especially global economic fluctuations and trade policies of major countries. Typically, the US reciprocal tax policy can create new barriers to import and export activities, affecting Hai Phong's manufacturing and logistics industries.

However, Hai Phong does not falter in the face of difficulties. The city clearly identifies that in danger there is opportunity, and will turn challenges into motivation for innovation and stronger development. To achieve the growth target of 12.5% ​​on a large scale, it is necessary to have the support of the Central Government, the efforts and consensus of the entire Party Committee and the people of the city with breakthrough mechanisms and policies. Therefore, the city is focusing on 6 key groups of solutions as follows:

Focus on the work of building and implementing the legal system and important policy mechanisms of the City, including some important tasks such as: Completing the dossier of the Resolution (NQ) replacing Resolution No. 35/2021/QH15 dated November 13, 2021 of the National Assembly (NA) on piloting a number of specific mechanisms and policies for the development of Hai Phong City to be submitted to the 9th Session of the NA; Completing the arrangement of administrative units at the provincial and communal levels according to the direction of the Central Government. Actively participating in amending the Constitution, perfecting legal institutions related to the arrangement of administrative units at the provincial and communal levels, ensuring the smooth operation of the city and communal government apparatus, and putting them into operation immediately after the arrangement; Complete and submit to the Prime Minister the Project to establish a new generation Free Trade Zone (FTA) in Hai Phong City in 2025. After this FTA is established, together with the formation of the Southern Coastal Economic Zone (EEZ), it will create great space for the socio-economic development of Hai Phong in the future.

Next, the city will focus on innovating the growth model and restructuring the economy, strengthening domestic and foreign investment promotion activities, striving to complete the target of attracting FDI capital of 4.5 billion USD by 2025; Promote the disbursement of public investment capital of the city, striving to achieve a disbursement rate of 95% of the Prime Minister's Plan assigned by the Government; focus on investing in key projects with meaningful connectivity in the context of the current arrangement of provincial-level administrative units.

Hai Phong continues to focus on completing infrastructure and expanding economic space. Developing transport infrastructure, seaports, airports, industrial parks (IPs), industrial clusters (ICs) to create favorable conditions for investors; Speeding up the progress of implementing procedures and investing in infrastructure according to the set schedule for the Southern coastal EZ, established IPs and ICs; The container port area in Lach Huyen is currently being exploited and investing in the construction of 08 berths, of which: berths No. 1 and No. 2 have been exploited since 2018; accelerating the completion progress to soon put into use berths from berth 3 to berth 6; implementing construction procedures for berths No. 7 and No. 8; Completing and synchronizing the connection of road, railway, and inland waterway infrastructure with Hai Phong's seaports. Coordinate to speed up progress and complete investment projects to expand Cat Bi international airport, creating momentum for service and logistics development of the city...

Up to now, the city is also actively coordinating with the Ministry of Construction and relevant agencies to start the investment project to build the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway in 2025. Hai Phong has also proactively committed to contributing nearly 11,000 billion VND from the city budget to implement the above project.

Along with that, Hai Phong is focusing on removing difficulties and obstacles in the investment project to build a coastal road section through Hai Phong city and 9 km in Thai Binh province under the form of public-private partnership...

Reporter: One of the obstacles of Hai Phong City in recent times is the slow disbursement of public investment capital. The Chairman said how will Hai Phong focus on resolving the above limitations so that the City can concentrate maximum resources in the plan that the City has set out?

Mr. Nguyen Van Tung : Disbursement of public investment capital is a key factor, directly affecting the progress of implementing the city's socio-economic development goals. In recent years, Hai Phong has made great efforts and had many drastic solutions to disburse public investment capital. Specifically, in 2023, the city disbursed VND 20,432.128 billion, equal to 152% of the plan assigned by the Prime Minister and 97% of the plan assigned by the City People's Council. In 2024, the city disbursed nearly VND 21,288 billion, equal to 125% of the plan assigned by the Prime Minister and 95.2% of the plan assigned by the City People's Council.

By the end of the first quarter of 2025, Hai Phong had disbursed more than VND 2,505 billion in public investment capital, equal to 10% of the assigned plan. To speed up the disbursement progress in 2025, the City has given strong directions from the beginning of the year, establishing 02 City Working Groups on urging, inspecting, removing difficulties and obstacles, promoting the disbursement of public investment capital in 2025, headed by the Chairman and Permanent Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee. The City will regularly organize specialized meetings to promptly remove difficulties and obstacles for each project, each investor and localities with problems. Along with that, members of the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee, leaders of the City People's Committee directly direct and urge the disbursement work; heads of departments, branches, localities, investors are most responsible for the disbursement progress of their units; Focus on implementing flexible, creative, timely and effective measures and solutions to drastically promote the implementation and disbursement of public investment capital. The city has made detailed disbursement plans for each project by month and quarter, striving to disburse 45% by the end of the second quarter; 70-80% by the third quarter; 90% by the end of the fourth quarter and 96% of the assigned plan by January 31, 2026.

Proactively review and transfer capital according to authority between projects with slow disbursement to projects with better disbursement capacity. In case of not allocating the allocated capital or having a low disbursement rate, the City People's Committee will consider and recover the unallocated capital to transfer to other tasks of the City with good implementation progress and high disbursement rate. Urgently complete investment procedures, approve projects for projects that have approved investment policies; the City continues to speed up site clearance progress, promptly remove difficulties and obstacles related to land, resources, and construction. Urge and speed up construction progress; conduct acceptance, prepare payment records as soon as there is volume.

In the coming time, Hai Phong will strictly handle contractors who violate the progress and quality of the contract. Organize regular meetings with contractors and district-level People's Committees (performing site clearance work) to promptly remove difficulties and obstacles, and propose reports to Departments, branches, and the City People's Committee. The results of implementing the disbursement targets are the basis for the City to consider and evaluate the emulation of Departments, branches, localities, and units at the end of 2025...

In recent years , Hai Phong's socio-economic situation has achieved many outstanding results in all aspects of social life . In 2024, Hai Phong's GRDP growth rate reached 11.01%, a locality with impressive economic growth with GRDP increasing by double digits for 10 consecutive years, showing that the city's economy is on the path of strong development. In 2024, the city attracted nearly 5 billion USD in FDI capital , reaching 250% of the annual plan, ranking second among provinces and cities nationwide, reflecting the increasing attractiveness of the investment environment in the Port City . Budget revenue in Hai Phong City in the past 4 years has reached over 100,000 billion VND, ranking third in the country, of which, the city's public investment capital in 2024 has disbursed 20,800 billion VND, reaching 95% of the capital plan. 2024 is also the year that the city has completed the target of no more poor households according to the national poverty standard for the period 2022-2025, completing 1 year ahead of the target set by the Congress. Notably, on May 6, the Vietnam Federation of Commerce and Industry held the Ceremony to announce the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) in 2024, Hai Phong for the first time rose to the top of the country with 74.84 points.

PV: Currently, Hai Phong is focusing on implementing the 2025 theme "Expanding economic and urban space; promoting specific mechanisms and policies; enhancing green transformation and digital transformation". Can you share what specific mechanisms and policies will help the city effectively implement so that Hai Phong can achieve its growth targets according to the set plan?

Mr. Nguyen Van Tung : Hai Phong's theme for 2025 is very clear, it is not just a slogan, but a guideline for the actions of the entire city. To turn this theme into reality and achieve the set growth target, Hai Phong will focus on a series of specific, breakthrough and motivating mechanisms and policies.

Specifically, the new Resolution will replace Resolution No. 35/2021/QH15 dated November 13, 2021 of the National Assembly on piloting a number of specific mechanisms and policies for the development of Hai Phong City. This is the most important mechanism, creating a legal corridor for Hai Phong to pilot outstanding policies that are different from other localities. Hai Phong aims to complete the dossier and submit this Resolution to the National Assembly for approval at the 9th Session of the National Assembly scheduled to open on May 5, 2025. The proposed contents in the Resolution focus on the following areas: Investment management; finance, state budget; planning, urban and natural resources, environment; science and technology, innovation; regime of civil servants and public employees; mechanism, establishment of new generation KTTMTD in Hai Phong City.

The establishment of a new generation of KTMTD is a special economic model, built on the best international practices, aiming to create a free and open business environment, attracting international trade, investment and financial activities. The project will be completed and submitted to the Prime Minister immediately after the new Resolution replacing Resolution No. 35/2021/QH15 dated November 13, 2021 is approved by the National Assembly. The approved project will create a large space for the socio-economic development of Hai Phong in the future...

In addition to the common specific mechanisms, Hai Phong has been and is continuing to research to have its own policies, support key industries and fields, in order to create strong growth drivers, expected to focus on the following areas: support airlines to open new routes; Provide incentives on service fees, advertising and tourism promotion; coordinate to build attractive tourism products to attract tourists; upgrade Cat Bi airport infrastructure to meet the needs of exploiting international routes.

Support workers to buy social housing: Provide preferential loans, support interest rates; reduce land rent and land use fees for social housing projects; speed up the construction progress of social housing projects, ensure quality and reasonable prices; develop supporting industries, provide tax and fee incentives for enterprises producing components and spare parts; support human resource training and technology transfer; connect supporting industry enterprises with large manufacturing enterprises.

Promote concentrated agricultural, aquatic and commodity production, continue research to find solutions to support CNC application in production; build agricultural and aquatic product value chains; develop Hai Phong's agricultural and aquatic product brands.

In addition, Hai Phong focuses on the policy of attracting green FDI. In the context of the world increasingly paying attention to sustainable development, Hai Phong identifies attracting green FDI as a strategic priority, prioritizing projects using advanced technology, energy saving, environmentally friendly, and high value-added content. Special incentives will be given to green FDI projects, such as: Incentives on corporate income tax, import tax; Support on administrative procedures, site clearance. Connecting with domestic partners, creating favorable conditions for production and business activities. These specific mechanisms and policies are important "weapons" for Hai Phong to create breakthroughs in socio-economic development, achieve the set growth targets, and build a modern, civilized, livable city...

The Port City's transport infrastructure is developed, creating favorable conditions for domestic enterprises as well as foreign investors.

Reporter: Mr. Chairman, Hai Phong recently held the inauguration ceremony of Hateco International Container Port at Lach Huyen Port, becoming the first deep-water seaport infrastructure development project in Vietnam. This is also considered a key economic sector for the Port City, marking an important turning point in the maritime sector, contributing to promoting international trade and creating economic development momentum for the North as well as the whole country. Could you please tell us, in the coming time, will Hai Phong focus on calling for and promoting private capital to participate in key economic sectors in Hai Phong?

Mr. Nguyen Van Tung : Lach Huyen deep-water seaport is currently being exploited and investing in the construction of 08 berths, of which berths 1 and 2 have been exploited since 2018. On April 5, berths 5 and 6 were inaugurated by Hateco Group and the City; berths 3 and 4 are being prepared for inauguration and put into use.

Up to now, the project is implementing construction procedures for berths 7 and 8. Hai Phong clearly identifies the important role of private capital in economic development, and at the same time advocates creating the most favorable conditions for private enterprises, both domestic and foreign, to participate in investing in areas where the city has strengths and great development potential.

In the coming time, Hai Phong will pay special attention to calling for and promoting private capital into key economic sectors as follows: focusing on seaport infrastructure and logistics, which are key areas, creating a special competitive advantage for Hai Phong. The city will continue to invest in building new ports in Lach Huyen, Nam Do Son, and the Van Uc River area, with the active participation of private enterprises. Logistics projects, such as distribution centers, warehouses, and transportation services, will also be prioritized by the city to call for investment. Hai Phong aims to build the city into a modern logistics center, not only serving domestic needs but also reaching out to the region and internationally.

In addition to seaports, Hai Phong will also focus on attracting investors in areas such as: High-tech industry (CNCNC), identifying CNCNC as the main growth driver in the future. The Port City will attract projects in the production of electronics, automobiles, renewable energy, new materials, and industries with high added value. New industrial parks will be planned and built in a green, smart direction, creating a favorable environment for CNC investors. Hai Phong will also have special support policies for private enterprises participating in research and development (R&D), innovation, etc.

In order to attract and facilitate private investors, Hai Phong City always identifies and commits to actively improving the investment and business environment; Continuing to reform administrative procedures, minimizing time and costs for businesses; ensuring transparency, publicity, and fairness in regulations and policies; building an effective investment support information system.

Research and apply attractive incentive policies for investors, tax incentives, land rent, land use fees, support for site clearance, infrastructure connections, creating favorable conditions for access to credit and human resources; Accompanying businesses to listen and promptly resolve difficulties and problems of businesses, organizing investment promotion activities, connecting businesses; building reliable and sustainable partnerships with businesses...

In addition, Hai Phong has worked with a number of strategic investors to implement clean energy projects, such as offshore wind power, LNG power, etc. The city is actively directing and creating favorable conditions in terms of policies and mechanisms, seeking support from the Central Government as well as policies and mechanisms to develop clean, environmentally friendly energy sources. With these efforts, Hai Phong will become an attractive destination for private investors, and private capital will make an important contribution to the socio-economic development of the city...

Hai Phong has great potential for tourism and trade development with a long coastline, many historical and cultural relics, and unique tourism products. The city is directing the implementation of calling for investment in entertainment areas, commercial centers, luxury hotels, resorts, and other tourism services. Projects to develop eco-tourism, community tourism, and sustainable island tourism are also encouraged, aiming to build Hai Phong into an attractive and highly competitive tourist destination in the region...

PV: Currently, the city is maximizing its potential and inherent resources. Can you share more so that Hai Phong can realize its set goals?

Mr. Nguyen Van Tung : Hai Phong has a lot of room and potential for socio-economic development. In recent times, the city has taken advantage of and promoted its own advantages to achieve double-digit growth for 10 consecutive years. However, in the context of the world's economy and politics evolving very quickly and complicatedly, Hai Phong needs more positive and flexible solutions to promptly adapt to developments at home and abroad. Therefore, Hai Phong will focus on a number of issues such as: expanding economic and urban space. In particular, focusing on implementing tasks related to the development of the coastal economic zone in the South of Hai Phong in the direction of green, ecological, sustainable development...

Along with that, the City focuses on implementing plans to start projects: Investing in the construction of the Ring Road 2 section of Tan Vu - Hung Dao - Bui Vien Street; urgently completing the remaining wharves of Lach Huyen Port. Speeding up the work of removing difficulties and obstacles in the Project to invest in the construction of the coastal road section through Hai Phong City and 9 km in Thai Binh Province under the form of public-private partnership. Deploying the City's tasks when implementing the Project to invest in the construction of the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway; Continuing to implement the Project to build social housing combined with solving housing for households living in old apartment buildings in the City according to the Resolution of the City People's Council...

Together with the Central Government, Hai Phong has focused on implementing the arrangement and streamlining of the administrative apparatus in accordance with the Central Government's direction. The city's administrative apparatus has been put into operation immediately after the arrangement, creating favorable conditions for people and businesses.

Continue to implement the City's Digital Transformation Plan in 2024 with a total of 81 tasks; issue the Digital Transformation Plan in 2025. Deploy the project to upgrade information technology infrastructure in Party agencies, Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations in Hai Phong City in the period of 2022 - 2025. Consider deploying the "AI Hai Phong" solution of HeyU Vietnam Technology Company.

In the first quarter of 2025, complete the connection with the Civil Status System of the Ministry of Justice to ensure the conditions for officially implementing the interconnected administrative procedures for marriage registration and online confirmation of marital status. Survey and build the city's e-government architecture version 3.0, towards digital government. Continue to implement the plan to select a contractor for the management system, exploiting geospatial data to serve the goal of building a shared GIS system for Hai Phong City. With synchronous and drastic efforts on all fronts, Hai Phong is gradually realizing the goal of building a modern urban government, creating a dynamic, sustainable and livable city.

Thank you very much!

Quoc An

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/hai-phong-quyet-liet-hanh-dong-dat-muc-tieu-tang-truong-de-ra-post548096.html