At a meeting to review the socio-economic situation of Ho Chi Minh City in the first eight months of the year on August 25, Le Hoang Quan, Chairman of the HCMC People's Committee asked all relevant departments to help resolve difficulties faced by businesses so as to once again buoy markets.
In particular, he said that after the gasoline price hike, authorities should focus on cost management, and not tolerate any fluctuation in prices for the remaining months of this year.
Due to huge demands for consumer goods, authorities should strengthen inspections and prevent unsafe goods coming into the City from neighboring provinces.
"Toxic fruit and vegetables are being sold on City streets which authorities must put an end to,” said Chairman Quan.
Relevant agencies need to strengthen inspection of industrial meals that are being served to workers, and the Department of Health must direct preventive health centers, hospitals and districts to propagate awareness of disease prevention in people; and concentrate on anti-mosquito measures, particularly in disadvantaged areas.
“Prevention and control of disease has been greatly overlooked,” said a worried Hua Ngoc Thuan, Vice Chairman of the HCMC People's Committee.
According to the HCMC People's Committee, the socio-economic situation has begun to show positive signs. In August, production and business activities of small and medium enterprises have recovered in some ways, though the results are not as expected.
The numbers of businesses listed to register or expand have also increased.
However, HCMC still faces many difficulties. Total sales of retail goods and services increased merely 8.9 percent, compared to 23.9 percent during the same period last year; development index of industrial production increased only 2.8 percent over the same period; and budget revenue is down 0.8 percent over the same period.
Meanwhile, the disbursement of investment and development is slow, only 43.4 percent in 8 months. Price index in August rose again after two months of continuous reduction and raised the alarm that inflation could return.
