Hanoi steps up reform process

Hanoi authorities are accelerating administrative reform and anti-bureaucracy efforts aimed at raising competitiveness after the city fell further down the national competitiveness rankings over the last two years. The rankings are based on an annual survey conducted by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Hanoi authorities are accelerating administrative reform and anti-bureaucracy efforts aimed at raising competitiveness after the city fell further down the national competitiveness rankings over the last two years. The rankings are based on an annual survey conducted by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Despite being the second biggest city in Vietnam , in 2008 Hanoi ranked 31st out of 64 cities and provinces in terms of competitiveness, dropping four places from 2007.

Hanoi 's competitiveness index (PCI) stood at 33rd in 2009, dropping two places from the previous year.

Experts attributed the weakened competitiveness to the expansion of the capital city, a process which saw Ha Tay province, Me Linh district of Vinh Phuc province, and four communes of Luong Son district of Hoa Binh Province absorbed by the city.

Difficulties in site clearance, access to land and finance, poor infrastructure and cumbersome administrative procedures, were also cited as barriers for improving the city's competitiveness.

To solve outstanding problems, the city has launched an ambitious project to improve its investment and business environment and lift its PCI ranking by 10 places to 23rd.

Administrative reform is the centrepiece of the plan, with 71 percent of administrative procedures has been streamlined, double the Prime Minister's requirement of 30 percent.

The city has also called on relevant agencies to speed up land use planning to facilitate land allocation to businesses, reduce delays in enterprise registration, and carry out personnel training programmes for small- and medium-sized businesses./.

See more