External economic activities have made important contributions to the development of the Hanoi capital city over the past time, a municipal official has said.

At a seminar on sustainable development of Hanoi ’s external economic activities held in the city on November 28, Permanent Vice Secretary of the city Party Committee Nguyen Cong Soai said that those activities are of both municipal and national significance, actively contributing to the implementation of the country’s common foreign tasks.

It is one of the three important pillars, namely politics, economics and culture, he noted, adding that over the past time, Hanoi has issued many policies to expand relations and recorded great achievements.

The city has always led the country in foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction. Between 2007 and 2011, the city lured 1,566 FDI projects with a total registered investment capital of nearly 8.86 billion USD. It also focused on developing hi-tech industries such as electronics, computer, telecommunications, bio-technology, precision engineering and new materials.

According to Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Van Suu, to achieve those results, Hanoi has strengthened cooperation and established ties with 100 capitals and cities of over 50 countries and territories. It is also a member of many prestigious international organisations.

To attract investment in the long run, Hanoi should have specific policies that prioritise projects with high and green technologies, said Dr. Vo Dai Luoc from the Vietnam Asia-Pacific Economic Centre./.VNA