According to a report of HCMC Department of Planning and Investment, service-tourism sectors in July and 7 months of 2018 achieved a fairly good growth rate. Total retail sales and service revenue enjoyed a higher growth than the same period making important contributions to the city’s common economic growth. Retail sector ensures enough supply to demands of local citizens. Specifically, in the first 7 months of 2018, total retail sale and service revenue was estimated at VND 594, 635 billion, total export value was estimated at US$ 21.4 billion, up 7% as of the same period while total import value was estimated at US$ 26,7 billion, up 10,3% as of the same period.

Tourism sector continues to maintain as a key economic sector of the city and helps affirm the position of HCMC as one of Vietnam’s leading tourist centres. In the first 7 months of 2018, HCMC received 4.45 million tourists, up 37,7% as of the same period.

Domestic and foreign investment attraction has shown positive results. There was an increase in both number of domestic and FDI newly established projects. Total FDI capital enjoyed an increase of 70% as of the same period.

Till July 2018, there are a total of 24, 303 newly established enterprises with total registered capital of VND 315, 003 billion, up 5,8% in term of number of enterprises and 6% in term of registered capital as of the same period. A total of 36, 776 registered for changing business registration content with additional investment capital of 251, 898 billion. A total of 553 FDI projects were granted Certificates of Investment Registration with total investment capital of US$ 508.25 million, up 26% in term of number of projects and 68% in term of investment capital as of the same period.

The city has made positive changes in management and exploitation of current urban infrastructure system, especially urban order and pavement management. Urban design and architectural management in key areas; urban re-development, urban technical infrastructure (key roads, metro, etc.) are well-implemented.

Besides, the city has well-organized the national high school graduation examination 2018 as well as announce the exam results for the school year 2018-2019, praising 778 good students, mobilizing mass participation of teachers and students into useful playgrounds in summer time.

The city has done a good job in job creation, vocational training; giving support to poor people and beneficiaries of social policies, children, etc. making contributions to the social security in the city. Specifically, the city has solved jobs for over 41, 101 laborers. In the first 7 months of 2018, the city has solved jobs for 201, 456 people (equal to 67,2% of the plan), a total of 90, 900 new jobs were created (equal to 69,9% of the plan). As of the plan, A number of recruited people increased by 15, 350 people (up 0,7%), number of new jobs increased by 7,4% (equal to 12, 703 jobs).

The city has done a good job in poverty reduction. There are still 21, 863 poor households (1,1% of total households) and 36, 545 near poor households (1,83%).

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