Ho Chi Minh City has been focusing on stabilising prices and ensuring adequate supply of goods this year in the first seven months of this year.

Chairman of the Municipal People's Committee Le Hoang Quan said official agencies have been monitoring changes in prices, exports, and fluctuations in the global market to help businesses cope with the economic downturn and maintain their exports.

They have also helped businesses by eliminating barriers to export and through market stimulus programmes, he said, adding that the city has managed to sustain its high growth rates this year despite difficulties.

The trading and service sectors saw lower growth rates, manufacturing growth was higher, and agricultural growth was stable, Quan said.

The report said work on major infrastructure projects has been accelerated, especially those set to be finished this year - like the Sai Gon Bridge No 2, Tan Son Nhat - Binh Loi Beltway, steel flyovers at major intersections, Thanh Da Bridge, Do Bridge, and flood-control projects.

In the first seven months of the year retail sales and services were worth 337.8 trillion VND (15.9 billion USD), a year-on-year increase of 11.8 percent, and exports topped 15.78 billion USD, unchanged year-on-year.

The city welcomed over 2.15 million foreign visitors, up 5.5 percent, while revenues from tourism rose by 15 percent.

Industrial production was up 5.3 percent while agriculture - forestry - fishery grew by 6.6 percent.-VNA