Hanoi (VNA) – Despite the impact of theCOVID-19 pandemic, Hanoi has maintained its economic growth, with grossregional domestic product (GRPD) expanding around 3.98 percent this year, 1.5 timeshigher than the national average, the city's mayor said on December 8.

Speaking at the Q&A session of the 18th meeting of the 15-tenure Hanoi People’s Council, Chairman of the city People’s CommitteeChu Ngoc Anh said Hanoi’s budget collection totaled 280 trillion VND (12.1billion USD), exceeding the estimate by 2 percent, and up 3.5 percent year-on-year.

Meanwhile, budget spending stands at around 87 trillionVND, equivalent to 84.7 percent of the estimate set earlier this year.

Notably, the city has attracted some 4 billion USD inforeign investment and 145 trillion VND in domestic investment, Anh said,adding that the number of newly-established firms has exceeded 26,000.

He also highlighted achievements in culture,education, administrative reform, the fight against corruption andwastefulness, national defence, external affairs and COVID-19 combat.

According to the municipal mayor, the committee will promptlydevise specific programmes and plans to realise socio-economic developmenttargets and tasks set for 2021 and adopted by the People’s Council at thesession.

The city’s GRDP is set to grow 7.5 percent next year, socialinvestment is projected to increase 12 percent, and inflation is expected to kept below 4 percent.

At the meeting, Anh also cleared up questionsregarding state management over sand and gravel exploitation in rivers, and theimplementation of codes of conduct in offices and public places. /.