During a July 26 working session with the municipal authorities, PM Dung praised the city’s socio-economic achievements in the first six months of this year and asked the city to make greater efforts to achieve their annual target.

Haiphong should help businesses iron out snags and apply scientific and technological advances in production to improve the productivity, quality and competitive edge of locally-made products, Mr Dung said.

The government leader also urged the port city to speed up the new rural model, develop storm and flood prevention plans, and implement social welfare policies for the poor and social beneficiary families.

Vocational training for rural labourers, prompt settlement of citizen petitions, and the maintenance of social orders, traffic safety and political stability should also receive the due attention of local authorities, he said.

PM Dung asked Haiphong to work closely with central ministries and agencies to ensure the progress of key projects in the city such as the Hanoi-Haiphong Expressway and the Lach Huyen port projects.

Chairman of the Municipal People’s Committee Duong Anh Dien said the in the first half of the year, the city had made remarkable achievements, with the GDP increasing 6.81 percent and attracting over US$952 million in FDI.

Dien expressed the city’s determination to fulfill 2012 socio-economic targets with a focus on accelerating administrative reforms, helping businesses get access to capital, and hastening site clearance.

The city will also speed up the construction of infrastructure projects, including the Hanoi-Haiphong Expressway, various industrial zones, and the Haiphong 2 Thermal Power Plant, he said, adding that these projects are considered major factors in boosting GDP growth and increasing revenue for the state budget.