A policy of "restraining the people" in a modern sense, reducing the cost burden for businesses to nurture long-term growth resources.
The "sacrifice" of more than 7,000 billion VND of the budget, if viewed in the short term, is not small.
But if placed in the overall special urban economy, where logistics is the lifeblood of import and export, this is a long-term investment.
Reduce revenue today to increase revenue tomorrow.
Being exempted from seaport infrastructure costs, logistics pressure cools down, businesses have more range to maintain production, maintain orders, and more importantly, maintain the market.
Currently, while fuel, transportation and financial costs are still fluctuating, each saved dollar of cost will reduce pressure on businesses.
The profound meaning of the policy also lies in the spillover effect.
Seaports not only serve logistics businesses but also lead to the entire production chain, from processing industry, trade to services.
Businesses reducing costs will have conditions to maintain prices, increase competitiveness of goods, thereby protecting jobs and incomes of workers.
In other words, free seaports are not only to support businesses, but also to "nurture the people" by keeping production and livelihoods up to speed.
From a management perspective, this is also a step showing the flexible thinking of urban government.
Instead of rigidly clinging to stable revenue sources (more than 8,200 billion VND in the 2022-2025 period), Ho Chi Minh City accepts adjustments to support businesses.
Three years of free service is a long enough period for businesses to recover but also a "limit" for the government to monitor efficiency, avoiding prolonged budget risks.
This is a calculated approach, targeted support, timely, and revaluable.
More importantly, this policy sends a strong message about the investment environment.
Proactively reducing infrastructure fees, the city is improving its attractiveness, not only retaining existing businesses but also creating positive signals for new investors.
Of course, "restraining the people" does not mean loosening infrastructure investment.
The problem is to go hand in hand, both reducing fees and finding other resources to continue upgrading port, road, belt, and digital logistics connectivity.
If this is done, the free policy will not only be a temporary solution, but become a boost to cost restructuring and competitiveness.
Free port infrastructure is a visionary decision, accepting to reduce direct revenue to nurture a larger indirect source of revenue.
That is the spirit of "restraining the people", and this policy is also an important factor for Ho Chi Minh City to grow sustainably.
