2:32:16 PM | 30/6/2006
Export Revenue up 17 per cent
In the first six months of this year, Ho Chi Minh City earned export turnover of nearly US$6.67 billion, representing an increase of 17 per cent on the previous year.
Of the sum, the State-run sector obtained more than US$4.9 per cent, up 19 per cent on the previous year, the highest growth among all economic sectors, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).
The private-run sector and FDI sector reported respective growths of 8 per cent and 12.7 per cent.
According to economists, the cargo export volume will hardly increase in the coming months because material supplying sources and export markets will shrink due to increasing checks and controls on the quality of exported goods.
Industrial Production Value Up 13 Per Cent
In six months, the aggregate industrial production value increased 13 per cent on the previous year to nearly VND133,000 billion (US$8.31 billion).
Of 27 production industries, 12 had higher growth rates than the average growth, such as garment, textile, chemical, equipment production, rubber and plastics. The falling industries comprised of large ones such as tobacco, auto production, electrical production and distribution.
The FDI sector still led the municipal economy with a value growth of 19.1 per cent to VND50,731 billion (US$3.17 billion). The growth of the foreign-invested sector in key industries surpassed the growth of its domestic rivals. Nineteen out of 23 production industries saw growth, of which 12 industries posted higher growth rates than the average. For example, the rubber-plastic industry rose 21.2 per cent and electrical equipment and machinery increased 57.8 per cent.
However, the foreign-invested sector in vehicle and electricity industries continued to suffer falls of 25.3 per cent and 64.5 per cent, respectively.
Tourism taking a jump
Mrs Nguyen Thi Lap Quoc, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, said from the beginning of this year, the tourism sector recorded a total revenue of VND7,600 billion (US$475 million), a rise of 26 per cent compared with the same period of 2005.
In six months, international arrivals to the city reached 1.15 million. The 10 largest tourism markets of the city were the United States, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Australia, China, Canada, France, Singapore and the United Kingdom. Arrivals from these countries all increased significantly.
Arrivals from Russia posted the highest growth of 60 per cent, followed by Singapore with 40 per cent and South Korea with 30 per cent.
The city is continuing to exploit tourism potentialities in Singapore and South Korea, based mainly on comparatively short travelling distances, similar cultural characteristics, higher flight frequencies and visa exemption for tourists. The targets are not only businesspeople but also tourists.
Currently, international arrival by road to the city is on the rise on account of the upgraded Trans-Asia Road and advertised Caravan Tour Programme.
The international seafaring influx also resumes its strong increase. Since the beginning of this year, the city welcomed 12,000 seagoing tourists, a 140 per cent rise against the same period last year.
Vietnamese
