To overcome current difficulties and attain the target, the municipal government will implement some measures approved by the city’s Communist Party Unit, he said.

The measures include making good use of stimulus packages, quick disbursement of the official development assistance (ODA) funds, enhancing trade promotion and stabilizing prices, he said.

The city will also fix inefficiencies in public land use and collect funds more effectively to offset the first half budget deficit of VND22 trillion (US$1.24 billion), he added.

During the three-day session of the council that began Tuesday, many deputies had urged the city administration to reconsider the 10 percent growth rate target.

Deputy Nguyen Ngoc Hoa said Thursday the city should lower its economic targets in 2009 to ease the pressure in many fields.

HCMC’s economy expanded an estimated 4.6 percent in the first half of this year, plummeting from the 10.5 percent recorded in the same period last year.

Deputy Dang Van Khoa said in Wednesday meeting the city government should adjust its growth rate target considering the poor performance during the first six months.

Deputy Nguyen Dang Nghia suggested the city lower the growth rate target to 6.5 or 7 percent, saying the national growth rate target has already been adjusted to 5 percent from the original 6.5 percent.

Deputies also voted Hua Ngoc Thuan, head Management Authority for Southern Area Development of HCMC (MASD), as the new vice chairman of the People’s Committee.

The People’s Council, which acts as the municipal legislature, oversees the operation of the People’s Committee, which is the city administration.

In related news, the Hanoi People’s Council will hold its regular session from July 14-17, to review the city’s socio-economic progress over the first six months of the year and consider targets for the remaining six.

A council representative said deputies will focus on suspended projects, environmental issues and consider proposals about private investment in education and medical fields.

Reported by Nguyen Thuy – Viet Chien