Comrade Hoang Hai Minh, Standing Committee Member of the City Party Committee and Permanent Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee, concluded the meeting.

The meeting was chaired by Comrade Hoang Hai Minh, Standing Committee member of the City Party Committee and Permanent Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee.

Tourism breakthrough

The report from the Department of Finance at the meeting showed that Hue's socio -economic picture in the first four months of the year recorded many positive signs, most notably the strong growth of the tourism and service sector, a clear recovery in industrial production, a significant increase in budget revenue, and higher-than-average disbursement of public investment capital.

Tourism continues to be a bright spot in the city's economy. The successful organization of the "Shining Imperial City" Summer Festival series of activities has attracted a large number of domestic and international tourists. In the first four months of the year, Hue welcomed approximately 2.67 million visitors, an increase of 30.3% compared to the same period last year; of which international visitors accounted for more than 1.13 million, an increase of 27.7%. Tourism revenue is estimated at over 6,234 billion VND, 1.7 times higher than the same period last year.

In particular, during the Hung Kings Commemoration Day holiday from April 24th to 28th, Hue welcomed approximately 395,000 visitors, generating nearly 958 billion VND in tourism revenue. The average hotel occupancy rate exceeded 90%, reaching approximately 99% on the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month. During the April 30th - May 1st holiday, the number of visitors to Hue continued to increase sharply, reaching approximately 610,000, a 73.7% increase compared to the same period last year. Of these, international visitors accounted for about 164,000, a 129% increase; domestic visitors accounted for about 446,000, a nearly 60% increase. Tourism revenue is estimated at 1,350 billion VND, an 85% increase compared to the same period last year; the average hotel occupancy rate reached approximately 99%.

Many key economic indicators also recorded positive growth. Total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue are estimated at VND 24,520 billion, an increase of 17.8% compared to the same period last year. Revenue from transportation, warehousing, and loading/unloading reached over VND 2,355 billion, an increase of 20.1%.

The Industrial Production Index (IIP) in April increased by 15.1% year-on-year; the overall increase for the first four months was 13.1%. Goods exports for the first four months are estimated at US$554.4 million, an increase of 20%; imports reached US$532.4 million, an increase of over 50%.

Total investment implemented in the area reached approximately 12,345 billion VND, an increase of 26.7% compared to the same period last year. From the beginning of the year until now, the city has granted licenses to 19 new projects with a total registered capital of nearly 14 trillion VND, including 2 FDI projects with a total registered capital of over 125 million USD.

Business activity continued to show signs of recovery with 425 new businesses established, an increase of over 51% compared to the same period last year. However, the number of businesses voluntarily dissolving also increased, indicating that the business community still faces considerable difficulties.

Notably, Hue's public investment disbursement rate reached 16% of the plan assigned by the Prime Minister, higher than the national average of 12.6%, ranking 12th out of 34 localities. Total state budget revenue in the first four months of the year is estimated at 5,285 billion VND, equivalent to 33% of the projected budget and an increase of 15.1% compared to the same period last year. Significant achievements were also made in the fields of agriculture, culture, and social affairs.

City leaders inspect the progress of projects in the area. Photo: Ngoc Minh

Accelerate disbursement, create breakthroughs for growth.

At the meeting, many opinions suggested that, in addition to positive results, Hue still faces considerable pressure in achieving its double-digit growth target.

According to Deputy Director of the Department of Finance Le Van Cuong, tourism and services are a prominent bright spot after two major holidays, while industrial production has begun to return to a growth trajectory with sectors such as beer and automobiles. However, the disbursement rate in some sectors and localities is still lower than the set requirements.

Representatives from the statistics sector believe that to achieve a growth target of over 10%, Hue needs to make stronger breakthroughs in the industrial sector. Meanwhile, the tax sector proposes focusing on removing bottlenecks related to land prices; resolutely handling projects with long-standing land use fee arrears; strengthening oversight to combat tax evasion; and addressing outstanding tax debts.

Delegates attending the meeting proposed several issues related to rectifying inappropriate images and behaviors in tourism activities, gradually improving the tourism environment towards a more civilized, attractive, and sustainable direction; promptly issuing a communication and promotion strategy for Hue as a destination to enhance tourism competitiveness in the new phase; and analyzing the causes and solutions for delayed projects.

Concluding the meeting, Standing Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee Hoang Hai Minh highly appreciated the efforts of the departments and agencies in maintaining the city's positive growth momentum, especially in the tourism sector.

According to Comrade Hoang Hai Minh, despite the high number of visitors during the holiday, traffic management and security were still ensured, and many sectors and fields recorded positive growth.

Permanent Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, Hoang Hai Minh, emphasized that departments and localities need to continue to closely follow the plan and implement comprehensive solutions to compensate for the remaining shortfalls, determined to achieve double-digit growth targets.

Regarding public investment, Comrade Hoang Hai Minh requested that favorable weather conditions be taken to accelerate the construction progress of projects, ensuring the disbursement rate meets the plan. Departments and agencies need to find solutions to overcome difficulties in social housing; and urgently complete the procedures for allocating capital to projects.

The city is also preparing to announce the city's master plan. The Department of Construction has been tasked with coordinating with other departments, agencies, and localities to review and adjust the general urban plan and sub-area plans to ensure consistency and alignment with the new development orientation.

In the agricultural sector, the Standing Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee, Hoang Hai Minh, requested focused direction on harvesting the winter-spring crop, implementing the summer-autumn planting plan according to the correct timeframe; proactively developing plans for drought and saltwater intrusion prevention and control, and forest fire prevention and control. At the same time, he urged the acceleration of mining licensing to ensure the supply of materials for construction projects in the area.

Le Tho

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/chinh-polit-xa-hoi/theo-dong-thoi-su/tap-trung-cac-giai-phap-de-giu-da-tang-truong-165360.html