The Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade has projected that the consumer price index (CPI) in the capital city this year will rise by 7-8 percent.

Inflation in Hanoi rose by 9.44 percent in the first six months of this year, compared to the same period last year, with an average monthly rise of 0.84 percent. But June showed signs that inflation was slowing, with prices rising only by 0.21 percent over the previous month.

Total sales of retail goods and services in the city, meanwhile, was predicted to rise by 22 percent.

To keep a lid on inflation and ensure a stable supply of essential goods, the city has made loans totalling 350 billion VND (18.4 million USD) to 13 major enterprises to stockpile products for the season of heavier demand at the end of the year.

The Department of Industry and Trade has also signed contracts with the enterprises to reserve goods in case of storms or flooding and was also cooperating with districts citywide to improve distribution networks under its market stability programme.

The department was also planning to invest further in building new slaughterhouses and meat distribution systems to better ensure food hygiene and safety./.