Centrally-governed cities doing a roaring trade

Trade and industry representatives from the five centrally-governed cities of Hai Phong, Da Nang , Hanoi , Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho met in Can Tho on Nov. 18 to seek deeper cooperation based on each city’s strengths.

Participants at the meeting asked the Ministry of Industry and Trade to give investment priority to infrastructure development, thus providing opportunities for the five cities to spearhead the country’s process of industrialisation and modernisation.

Statistics, released at the meeting showed that these cities have been responsible for exports totalling 34.86 billion USD so far this year, accounting for 53.62% of the country’s total export value.

The cities’ import values are estimated at 43.7 billion USD, representing over 52% of the country’s total, while their retail sales and service revenues stand at 438.3 trillion VND (27.3 billion USD) or 45.19% of the nation’s total.

Despite facing numerous difficulties, the five centrally-governed cities still obtained high industrial growth rates, with a total estimated industrial production value of 316.3 trillion VND for 2008.

Hai Phong recorded the highest growth rate of 18.5%, followed by Can Tho, with 17.07%, Hanoi , 14.8%, Da Nang , 14.3%, and Ho Chi Minh City , 13.5%.