Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh has asked Hanoi authorities to implement stronger solutions to solve difficulties with production and business, restructure the economy and pay more attention to the equitisation of State-owned enterprises.

Speaking at a recent meeting with representatives from the city, ministries and sectors, Ninh agreed with the city's economic growth target of 8.5 percent set for this year and said Hanoi has overcome difficulties and challenges to gain a comprehensive progress in the recent time.

Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Nguyen The Thao emphasised the city's impressive progresses as its economy has been continuously growing, inflation has been controlled and social welfare has been stable.

Thao said 2013 is the most difficult year in the recent three years for the city, especially production, fund support and market expansion.

In the first months of the year, domestic purchases decreased, export fiercely competed and the real-estate market has been frozen. Meanwhile, businesses faced high production costs and high bank interest rates, leading to the increasing volume of bad debts and inventory.

The chairman said the city has adopted many solutions but not strong enough to achieve stable development as expected.

In the coming time, he said the city will focus on production development, including market, loan and sales of products. It will issue policies to solve inventory products and real estate problems.

He proposed the Government and ministries further help the city solve difficulties in mechanism, policies and crossing documents.

As for the city's proposals on solving difficulties in the equitisation of State-owned enterprises, Deputy PM Ninh said the Government is working on some related decrees and documents to make them suitable with the real situation.-VNA