On the morning of November 26, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a meeting of the Steering Committee for the implementation of Resolution 98/2023 of the National Assembly (effective from August 2023) on piloting a number of specific mechanisms and policies for the development of Ho Chi Minh City.
Concluding the meeting, the Prime Minister assessed that during the four months of implementing Resolution 98/2023, ministries, agencies, and Ho Chi Minh City have demonstrated better thinking, awareness, and approaches. The new resolution has created tools, momentum, and confidence to promote the development of Ho Chi Minh City in the right direction.
The socio-economic development achievements of Ho Chi Minh City in the first 10 months of 2023, notably the higher growth rate in each subsequent quarter, are partly due to the impetus provided by Resolution 98.
However, the Prime Minister also noted that some ministries and agencies still lack clarity in their thinking, adopt cautious approaches, and have not adopted the right or effective methods. Therefore, in the future, policy approaches need to be more proactive, assertive, and closely coordinated.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivered a directive speech at the meeting.
Addressing specific issues, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh agreed with the need to develop a comprehensive plan for the development of Ho Chi Minh City's urban railway system, based on which large capital resources should be mobilized to complete it, rather than tackling individual small projects piecemeal.
According to the explanation, the overall plan will help shorten the process, reduce wasted time, and streamline administrative procedures. The Prime Minister shared that during a recent meeting with the President of the World Bank, both sides agreed on this approach to turn the situation around. "For example, with the 200 km urban railway in Ho Chi Minh City, if it were built in sections, each line would be time-consuming due to administrative procedures and lack a comprehensive, integrated plan," the Prime Minister emphasized.
According to the plan, Ho Chi Minh City will have 8 urban railway lines and 3 surface tram or monorail lines with a total length of approximately 220 km and an estimated total investment of over 25 billion USD. However, to date, Ho Chi Minh City only has Line 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien), 19.7 km long, expected to be completed by the end of 2023, and Line 2 (Ben Thanh - Tham Luong), scheduled to start construction in 2024 and be completed in 2032. The other lines are still only in the investment preparation and investment attraction stages.
Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien) is expected to begin operation in July 2024.
Meanwhile, the Politburo's Conclusion 49 of 2023 sets a target of completing the urban railway network in Ho Chi Minh City by 2035. The Party Committee of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City assesses that completing 200 km of urban railway in the next 12 years is a very ambitious goal, and that continuing with the same approach as the past 20 years would be impossible.
Therefore, the Party Committee of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City is seeking the opinion of the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee and the Executive Committee of the City Party Committee of Ho Chi Minh City to approve the development of a plan for the urban railway system to concretize the objectives according to Conclusion 49 of 2023 of the Politburo.
The Can Gio transshipment port project will be finalized in early 2024.
Regarding the two decrees drafted by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Interior, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested that the process be expedited, implemented through a simplified procedure, and submitted to the Government for promulgation no later than January 2024.
Specifically, the Ministry of Finance is finalizing the draft decree regulating interest rates, reasonable profits, payment methods, and settlement for projects using BT (build-transfer) contracts. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior is finalizing the draft decree regulating the election, recruitment, management, and use of civil servants working in communes, towns, and wards in Ho Chi Minh City.
Regarding rooftop solar power for government offices, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will issue nationwide regulations in December 2023. The Prime Minister acknowledges that developing rooftop solar power is essential, as it leverages social resources and government agencies in developing renewable energy, saving energy, and aligning with current trends.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested the completion of the Can Gio international transshipment port development plan in the first quarter of 2024.
Regarding the project to build the Can Gio international transshipment port, the Prime Minister emphasized that the policy is already in place, and the Ministry of Transport and the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City need to institutionalize it, incorporate it into the planning, and complete it in the first quarter of 2024.
"There are always differing opinions on new things. Ho Chi Minh City, along with the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, have carefully assessed the issue of mangrove forest protection and the issue of competition with Cai Mep - Thi Vai. Based on the data analysis, I find it convincing; there is still room for development, not competition," the Prime Minister stated, while emphasizing the principle of protecting national interests and preserving the natural resources bestowed upon the country.
Regarding Ho Chi Minh City's proposal to adopt a higher poverty standard, the Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs to lead and coordinate with Ho Chi Minh City in conducting a comprehensive study of provinces with higher poverty standards than the national average, to be completed before December 15th.
According to the Prime Minister, this is a practical issue. Ho Chi Minh City has a higher standard of living and per capita income, so the poverty line should also be higher. However, raising the poverty line must also be considered in the overall context, without sacrificing social equity and progress for the sake of mere economic growth.
In addition, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also agreed with many proposals from Ho Chi Minh City regarding the international financial center project, increasing the budget's participation in BOT (build-operate-transfer) and BT projects, and the exploitation of the Saigon River… and instructed relevant ministries and agencies to coordinate with Ho Chi Minh City to resolve these issues, reporting to the Prime Minister if they exceed their authority.
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