Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam targets 6.5% growth in 2022

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Phan Van Mai, chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee (HCMC), speaks on Saturday at a conference on socio-economic goals for 2022. VIETNAM NEWS AGENCY

The authorities of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) have set an ambitious economic growth target for this year of 6 to 6.5%.

Speaking at a 2022 socio-economic development conference on January 8, Phan Van Mai, chairman of the city’s People’s Committee, said that in order to achieve the goal, it was vital to maintain the current excellent results. of prevention of Covid-19.

The epidemic was essentially contained in late September, according to Mai.

The southern Vietnamese city had administered two doses of Covid vaccine to all people aged 18 and over and planned to complete the booster injections by the end of March, as required by the Ministry of Health.

“Although the prolonged restrictions seriously affected the city’s businesses as well as the lives of the people, the economy had many bright spots.”

Its revenues slightly exceeded the year’s target to reach 381.53 trillion dong ($ 16.8 billion) and were 25-27% of that of the country.

It attracted more than $ 7.23 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI), an increase of 38.48% from 2020, and remittances increased 9% to about 6.6 billion of dollars.

It aimed to create 140,000 jobs this year and keep the unemployment rate below 4%.

“Achieving the targets will be a challenge as the pandemic remains unpredictable across the country and around the world, and the city has recorded cases of the super contagious Omicron variant. “

The city would continue to accelerate digital transformation and the adoption of information technology at all levels of government.

It would continue to support the business sector and improve the investment climate while implementing pandemic measures as part of its economic stimulus plan for the year.

The main tasks for 2022 should be to “adapt in a safe, flexible and efficient way to control the pandemic, improve governance, support businesses and improve the business climate”.

A recent survey by the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (AmCham Vietnam) found HCMC to be the country’s leader in economic reopening and recovery.

Almost all businesses in the largest Vietnamese city have resumed operations and are very optimistic about the future, he said, attributing it to the vaccination.

With the Covid-19 pandemic now under control in HCMC, businesses will need 280,000 to 310,000 new workers this year, according to a report from the HCMC Human Resources Forecasting and Labor Information Center.

Demand is projected at 87,000 in the first quarter, 72,000 in the second, 74,000 in the third and 77,000 in the fourth.

The service sector is expected to experience strong demand, accounting for nearly 66% of all hires, with industry and construction accounting for the rest.

Phan Ky Quan Triet, deputy director of the center, said hiring would resume due to the strong recovery in business.

The city’s labor force would reach nearly five million this year, he said.

But companies need to offer greater benefits, a safe working environment and flexible working hours to recruit new workers and keep existing ones, he added.

Nguyen Van Lam, deputy director of the city’s labor, invalids and social affairs department, said all businesses resumed operations after the city lifted the restrictions.

They have expanded their workforce to meet increased orders for the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, with around 30,000 already hired, he said.

Companies are expected to recruit another 70,000 to 75,000 workers after Tet, with skilled workers accounting for 30 percent.

VIET NAM / ASIA NEWS NETWORK

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