HCM City’s public spending tardy in first half despite great efforts
Ho Chi Minh City's public spending in the first half of 2023 reached 15.43 trillion VND (652 million USD), accounting for only 23% of the budgeted amount despite the many measures it took to remove hurdles.
HCM City spends only 23% of its public spending outlay in the first half (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNS/VNA) – Ho Chi Minh City's publicspending in the first half of 2023 reached 15.43 trillion VND (652 million USD),accounting for only 23% of the budgeted amount despite the many measures ittook to remove hurdles.
District authorities and government agencies have been makinggreat efforts to achieve the spending target after an unsatisfactoryperformance last year and in the first few months of this year.
Besides unavoidable factors like escalating prices of constructionmaterials, which affect contractors’ work, the city has also discovered thatagencies overseeing public spending register for low amounts of funds to avoidthe stigma of failure to spend.
To ensure that spending this year reaches at least 95% as requiredby the Government, the City People's Committee has instructed all relatedagencies and districts to accelerate disbursement.
It has also instructed the districts to review projects that faceproblems and propose solutions. If resolving them is beyond their authority,they should promptly report them to the city administration, it added.
The Department of Planning and Investment has been ordered toimmediately review all projects and make plans to replace those that cannot beimplemented.
For the full year the city’s public spending allocation is 70trillion VND (3 billion USD), double last year’s figure./.
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HCM City spends only 23% of its public spending outlay in the first half (Photo: VNA) 
