Ho Chi Minh City is supporting exporters to expand their markets by holding trade and investment promotion activities in the remaining months of this year.

Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Hoang Quan made the statement while speaking at a meeting in the city on July 27 to review the local socio-economic situation from January-July.

Quan said local leaders will help businesses to overcome difficulties related to capital, premises and technology as well as improve administrative formalities and develop the support industry.

Additionally, the city is intensifying inspections on a number of investment projects to weed out and handle violations of the construction law, he added.

The official noted that in the first seven months of this year, the city collected over 160 trillion VND (7.33 billion USD) for the local budget, an annual rise of 3.8 percent.

The local budget collection is expected to reach 265 trillion VND (11.48 billion USD) in 2015 and 295 trillion VND (12.78 billion USD) in 2016.

Director of the municipal Department of Planning and Investment Thai Van Re reported the city’s total export turnover from January-July was estimated at 17.6 billion USD, down 4.6 percent against the previous year, mainly due to a plunge in crude oil prices.

In contrast, the total import turnover rose 13.2 percent to 19.1 billion USD during the period, he cited.

Also at the meeting, Chairman Le Hoang Quan requested the implementation of measures to protect urban landscapes and the environment.-VNA