A pilot trading floor for agricultural products ad the replacement of traditional markets with supermarkets are key objectives of a master plan to modernise HCM City ’s retail market system.

Under the plan that has been approved by the city’s Department of Industry and Trade, at least 48 traditional markets in the inner districts of HCM City will be abolished by 2015.

The plan also envisaged that by 2015, 95 supermarkets and 140 trade centres will be established in the inner districts and new urban areas, including Nam Sai Gon and Thu Thiem.

By the end of next year, 64 traditional markets will be upgraded with modern distribution systems and from 2011-15 a further 31 will undergo the same process.

The city will also set up a trading exchange floor for agricultural products at the Thu Duc wholesale market by the end of this year.

The traditional market systems for selling chemicals, textile and garment products, leather, shoes, and household appliances will continue operating in the new form of trading centres, becoming the key trading areas not only in HCM City but also in the southern region as a whole.

City authorities have also asked the district People’s Committees to clear sidewalk and alley markets. The small traders will be financially supported to get new jobs.

To enlarge the modern distribution and retail network, the city will encourage the opening of a new chain of 24-hour convenience shops and a network of fresh and processed foodstuff stores in residential areas.

The municipal People’s Committee will create favourable conditions to attract domestic investment to supermarket and trade centre construction, including giving priority in land allocation for developing trade infrastructure, expediting site clearance and issuing preferential taxation policies./.