Centrally-governed cities doing a roaring trade

Can Tho (VNA) - Trade and industry representatives from the five
centrally-governed cities of Hai Phong, Da Nang , Hanoi , Ho Chi Minh
City and Can Tho met in Can Tho on Nov. 18 to seek deeper cooperation
based on each city's strengths.

Participants at the meeting asked the Ministry of Industry and Trade to
give investment priority to infrastructure development, thus providing
opportunities for the five cities to spearhead the country's process of
industrialisation and modernisation.

Statistics, released at the meeting showed that these cities have been
responsible for exports totalling 34.86 billion USD so far this year,
accounting for 53.62 percent of the country's total export value.

The cities' import values are estimated at 43.7 billion USD, representing
over 52 percent of the country's total, while their retail sales and
service revenues stand at 438.3 trillion VND (27.3 billion USD) or 45.19
percent of the nation's total.

Despite facing numerous difficulties, the five centrally-governed cities
still obtained high industrial growth rates, with a total estimated
industrial production value of 316.3 trillion VND for 2008.

Hai Phong recorded the highest growth rate of 18.5 percent, followed by Can
Tho, with 17.07 percent, Hanoi , 14.8 percent, Da Nang , 14.3 percent, and
Ho Chi Minh City , 13.5 percent.-Enditem