Plans for Hai Phong’s development okayed

CPV – Plans to make Hai Phong a major marine, industrial and commercial city and an impenetrable national fortress have been confirmed. The avowal was made during a review of a resolution for the city’s development until 2010, and the implementation of resolutions carried by the 9th Congress of the Viet Nam Communist Party in mid 2001. The review by the Political Bureau and the Hai Phong Party Committee last Saturday found that Hai Phong should take advantage of its closeness to Ha Noi and its shipping links to the rest of the country and the world to become a key component in the economic development of northern Viet Nam. The provision of services, education and health care as well as the development of tourism and fisheries will be part of that development. The working session was chaired by Party General Secretary, Nong Duc Manh, and attended by State President Tran Duc Luong, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Van An, all Party Politburo members. The Political Bureau agreed that it would continue to help Hai Phong tap its potential by attracting the investment necessary for quick economic development so that the city, with Ha Noi and Quang Ninh, becomes part of an active economic triangle and a “prime economic force” in northern Viet Nam. But the Political Bureau advised the city to boost both the production and commercial effectiveness of its State-owned enterprises. It also advised it to develop other economic sectors, raise the effectiveness of its industrial zones and small-to-medium industry. In addition, the city should pay more attention to social progress and fairness and solving urgent social problems. Other instructions given to the city were to: Develop the port to meet the demands of the country’s growing economy; make Bach Long Vy Island a logistic and processing centre for northern-coastal fisheries; and Foster Cat Ba and Cat Hai islands – together with Ha Long Bay – as international tourist centres. Both municipal Party Secretary Nguyen Van Thuan and Hai Phong People’s Committee Chairman Tran Huy Nang briefed the working session about progress in the implementation of the city’s economic and social development plan. Both said the city had exploited the city’s advantages and internal strength to develop economic growth of more than 10 per cent against the country’s average of 7 per cent. Economic transformation was on track with the value of industrial production developing quickly – last year it was 21.5 per cent higher than 2001. The city had hit many socio-economic targets that would be the base for its goals to the year 2005. Urban management and development had made remarkable progress; the political and social situation was stable and security over the sea and islands had been maintained.