In recent years, Hanoi has applied several favourable policies and mechanisms to attract investments, and has recorded considerable success. For more information on the issue, Vietnam Business Forum interviewed Mr Nguyen Van Suu, Vice Chairman of Hanoi People’s Committee.
The general plan of Hanoi to 2030 and vision of 2050 has been approved by the Prime Minister, how will detailed plans be devised?
After the approval by the Prime Minister of the general plan of Hanoi to 2030 and vision to 2050 (Decision 1259/QD-TTg of July 26, 2011), Hanoi has announced the plan. For its part, Hanoi Party Commission has issued programme of action “Accelerating the planning, developing and managing of the 2011-2015 plan”, considering it as a key programme in 2011-2015 term of office. In specific implementation, Hanoi People’s Committee issued plan 01/KH-UBND of January 3, 2012 to carry out the plan in 2011-2015. The city has been coordinating with related ministries and agencies, and asking departments and districts to prepare, evaluate and approve specific plans of some 160 project and architecture plans, and devise policies and mechanisms to implement them successfully and on schedule.
In general, all the plans must be feasible and implemented with high efficiency and cohesion by all related authorities and sectors. Investments must concentrate on key projects and infrastructure to serve as driving force for the development of the city.
The city has allocated budget for the planning, especially in 2011-2012 and key plans for the city and districts, road networks and re-construction old living quarters. Hanoi will also mobilize resources for the planning, cooperating with colleges of architecture, construction and transport to develop human resources and upgrade expertise in architecture and planning.
The city encourages application of high and energy-saving technologies for the building and management of a modern city. Information technology will be applied fully in the management, especially in the city centre and important zones, to develop management of a knowledge-based economy.
The city has developed a plan for development, management and use of land to ensure economic development and a strong real estate market. The city will mobilize capital from society to upgrade infrastructure and urban development and advise the government on specific policies to be applied in the capital city.
To encourage businesses and investors in the present difficult time, how will the city improve the investment environment?
To improve investment environment, the city has decided to implement the following measures:
One, all-round renovation to ensure full efficiency of administration.
The city will increase the sense of responsibility, creativity and dynamism among authorities at all levels to support businesses, removing their constraints and facilitating them to the maximum permitted by law. Heads of offices and organizations must be at the forefront in assisting businesses.
Officials and staff members will raise their knowledge, expertise and behaviour to meet the demand of processing documents and guidance in business activities.
The mechanism of inspection and supervision will rectify possible wrongdoings or abuses by concerned authorities, and duly punish their violations of law in defence of the interests of businesses and people.
Two, acceleration of administrative reform to save time for business start-up and the implementation of State regulations.
The city will provide businesses related process and formalities by means of its portal and websites of Department of Planning and Investment and Department of Industry and Trade. It will review and simplify administrative formalities, abolishing unnecessary licenses and certificates, intensify coordination among all levels and sectors, improve “one-stop shop”, and streamline the processing of documents. To this end, over 90 percent of administrative documents will be processed on schedule, including 30 percent before schedule. The city will review and amend regulations on management of businesses and improve post-operation inspection.
Three, increasing information transparency for businesses.
The city will provide businesses all necessary information and guidance on construction management, land, investment license, business establishment, taxation, and customs, and make public all regulations on documents, administrative formalities, time frames and fees.
Four, ensuring workplace for business activities.
The city will announce the planning of land use and used land to facilitate the access to land and workplace as well as detailed areas approved for city development.
Five: upgrading human resources and diversifying support services for businesses, especially the public sector.
The city will make greater efforts to train skilled workforce so as to reduce expenses of businesses in recruiting and training workers, sponsor regular meetings between the authorities and businesses to remove difficulties and constraints of businesses and investors, assist businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, in their commitments to international economic integration, as well as issues relating to labour registration, insurance, taxation, customs and others. The city will also improve related legal documents and regulations.
As the PCI of Hanoi was not high in recent years (36th in 2011, 43rd in 2010 and 33rd in 2009, how will the city improve its ranking?
To improve its PCI ranking, Hanoi Party Commission has issued programme 03/Ctr/TU of September 9, 2011 on “Increasing competitiveness and ensuring fast and stable economic development of the capital city,” while the Hanoi People’s Committee developed Plan 141/KH-UBND of December 8, 2011 on “Increasing provincial competition indexes of the city in 2011-2015” including delegating power tolower levels to improve business environment in their areas. The main task of the plan is to maintain existing high indexes, heighten low indexes and elevate PCI ranking, and concentrate of the following tasks:
· Increasing sense of responsibility, dynamism and leadership of officials and staff at all levels to support businesses.
· Inspection of “one-stop shop” to ensure better service for businesses.
· Making public and updating 100 percent of policies, regulations and administrative formalities on websites of all units.
· Applying ISO criteria extensively to all offices of the city.
· Application of information technology in management and performance.
Vietnamese
