Hanoi (VNA) - Despite the complex developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hanoi has still recorded growth in many of its economic indicators. The index of industrial production, for instance, has increased 9.4 percent compared to the same period last year. Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Chu Ngoc Anh said that facing the impact of the re-emergence of COVID-19, Hanoi has still persisted in implementing the “dual goals” of pandemic prevention and economic recovery. Business activities in May grew quite well in difficult circumstances. Mr. Anh presented this information to a working session of the Hanoi People’s Committee on the morning of May 27.

Index of industrial production up 1.8 percent

According to Mr. Anh, the city’s index of industrial production (IIP) rose 1.8 percent in May against April and 5.1 percent compared to May last year. The city’s industrial production rose 9.4 percent in the first five months of the year compared to the same period last year. The processing and manufacturing industry, which makes up the highest proportion of the production value of the industrial sector, posted a rise of 9.7 percent. Another highlight in Hanoi’s economy in the period is that its export turnover rose 2.5 percent over the same period last year while import value increased 26.2 percent. Hanoi’s total retail sales of consumer goods and services in May reached 46.61 trillion VND, down 6.9 percent compared to April and 5.7 percent compared to May 2020. However, total retail sales in the first five months reached 243.8 trillion VND, up 11.2 percent year-on-year. In addition, Hanoi attracted 591.7 million USD in foreign investment in the five-month period. The city reported an estimated 110,606 billion VND in total State budget revenue in the five months, equal to 106.5 percent of the figure posted in the same period last year. “This is an obvious result of Hanoi realising the ‘dual goals’,” he emphasized. The city’s COVID-19 response strategy has proven to be correct and effective. Almost all outbreaks in the city have been basically brought under control. The capital has so far issued nine dispatches, two directives, and many documents with directions for production, business, and people’s daily lives in line with the development of the pandemic, with the highest goal of ensuring the health and safety of citizens. He said that with many drastic solutions adopted, there have been days when the city did not record any new infections in the community. On May 9 and May 10, the number of infections fell sharply, but since May 23 new outbreaks have been identified at the T&T Group Joint Stock Company at 2 Pham Su Manh Street in Hoan Kiem district and Park Building 11 at the Times City urban area, with the source of infection having not been identified as yet. “We have asked for more decisive and faster measures to quickly stamp out the disease,” Mr. Anh said. “Yesterday, Hoang Mai district tested all residents in Park Building 11 and the district will continue to test for screening. We must bring the outbreak under control and stabilize the situation.” Though the pandemic is a complex issue, districts such as Thanh Xuan, Thanh Oai, Thuong Tin, and Ha Dong have fought hard and recorded sound economic development, according to the city chairman. He praised the efforts of people’s committees at all levels and organisations, and especially the Hanoi CDC, frontline forces, and medical centres and facilities in tracing sources of infection and combating the pandemic. Mr. Anh also commended the effective operations of residential groups and community COVID-19 teams, and highlighted people’s awareness about pandemic prevention and control./.