Hanoi recorded an economic growth rate of 7.8 percent in the first halfof 2015 – the fastest pace in the same period of the last four years,revealed the 13th sitting of the 14th municipal People’s Council.

At the three-day meeting, Chairman of the municipalPeople’s Committee Nguyen The Thao reported that local inflation wascurbed and budget revenue exceeded 50 percent of estimates in the firsttwo quarters.

A number of key infrastructurefacilities were put into use, such as the Nhat Tan and Dong Tru bridgesand the expanded section of National Road 5, helping foster the capitalcity’s growth, he added.

Concluding the sitting onJuly 8, Chairwoman of the Hanoi People’s Council Nguyen Thi Bich Ngocsaid Council Members reviewed the implementation of the council’sResolution on socio-economic affairs, security-defence and budgetcollection and spending between January and June. They also setorientations for the remaining months of the year.

The People’s Council adopted a Resolution on policies for carrying outthe hi-tech agriculture development programme from 2016 to 2020. It alsoquestioned officials of the municipal People’s Committee anddepartments about pressing issues of public concern, including urbanplanning and management, agriculture and rural areas andeducation-training, she noted.

All Council Membersagreed on the establishment of the Department of Tourism separate fromthe current Department of the Culture, Sports and Tourism and passed aresolution naming 19 new streets, Ngoc added.-VNA