Hanoi is targeting a GDP growth rate of between 8.5-9.0 percent, per capita income of 57.5-58 million VND, and an unemployment rate of less than 4.8 percent this year.

The target was approved at a recent meeting of the municipal People’s Council, which reviewed the implementation of goals set for 2013, and put forward targets and tasks for 2014.

Under the targets, the city’s services sector is expected to expand by 9.4-9.8 percent; the industry-construction sector, 8.0-8.8 percent; and agricultural production, 2.0-2.5 percent, while export turnover will climb 6-7 percent.

In 2013, although meeting with difficulties and challenges caused by global economic risks as well as the domestic economic downturn, the city attained three key targets of socio-economic development - it stabilised economic growth, curbed inflation and ensured social security.

The city’s GDP growth rate for 2013 is estimated at 8.25 percent (the set target was 8.0-8.5 percent), up 0.19 percent over the previous year’s figure and equivalent to 1.53 times the national rate.

The rise of the consumer price index ( CPI ) was kept under eight percent, while the capital mobilisation of credit organisations saw a rise of 12.78 percent.

During the year, the city government undertook drastic measures to solve difficulties faced by enterprises, stabilise and develop production and business, expand markets and boost exports, as well as to thaw the real estate market.

It was reported that about 14,950 enterprises were set up in 2013, up 12 percent over the previous year, while there was a decrease in the number of business dissolutions.

The city also focused on developing the urban infrastructure system by hastening the construction of many transport projects, contributing to reducing congestion and accidents.

Remarkable achievements were seen in the new rural development programme, with as many as 48 communes in the city achieving all 19 criteria in new rural area construction at the year end.

Other fields such as culture, education, science-technology and healthcare were given priority and heavy investment; national defence and social order were ensured and reinforced; external relations and exchange were broadened and promoted.

In addition, main sectors have basically completed their development plans on the basis of the city’s socio-economic development strategy to 2020 with a vision to 2030.

However, great efforts will be required of the municipal authorities in the new year to boost exports and budget collection, as the city failed to achieve the targets in these two fields in 2013.

Environmental pollution, particularly at trade villages and industrial areas, remains a big challenge for the city.

VNA