The Government’s regular meeting - April 2010

RESOLUTION

The Government’s regular meeting - April 2010

The Government on May 05, 2010 convened its regular meeting for April to discuss and decide the following issues:

1. The Government discussed and approved reports on socio-economic performance in April and the first four months of 2010; the implementation of the Government’s Resolution 18/NQ-CP dated on  April 06, 2010 on key measures to stabilize macro-economy, curb inflation and achieve a GDP growth rate of 6.5% in 2010; the execution of the Resolution approved at the Government’s March 2010 regular meeting and the Government’s working agenda for April; administrative reforms in April; inspection work, settlement of complaints and accusations, and anti-corruption in April. Those reports were presented by the Minister of Planning and Investment, the Minister of Finance, the Governor of State Bank of Việt Nam, the Minister of Industry and Trade; the Minister of Home Affairs, the Government Inspector-General, and the Minister, Chairman of the Office of Government; and the Chairman of the National Financial Supervisory Commission.

The Government applauded the socio-economic achievements in April and the first four months of 2010. Industry grew at a moderate rate; agriculture-forestry-aquaculture saw stable development despites negative affects of natural calamities and epidemics; April’s export turnover achieved a year-on-year bloom of 8.9%, the so-far highest rate achieved during recent months; domestic market developed well with a high retail sale and service revenue, especially in tourism. Macro-economy was secured, prices were kept under control, and April’s CPI only increased 0.14% at the lowest rate since the beginning of the year. Monetary and foreign exchange markets remained stable; budget collection was high; and budget spending was ensured. Investment continued to be put forth. External activities were enhanced. Political security, social safety, and public life were safeguarded. Important national anniversaries and celebrations were solemnly organized, rousing pride and excitement among the public.

However, economic difficulties emerge when CPI figure remains high; capital disbursements are low; natural calamities and animal epidemics have hindered agricultural production. Macro-economy encounters risks of instability and high inflation; economic liquidity growth and outstanding credit are low. Export meets challenges as trade deficit is standing high, which can affect the total payment scale. Traffic accidents, criminal cases, the violations against women and children are on the rise.

The Government consistently set out yearly targets for 2010 in line with the Resolution of the National Assembly. Ministries, sectors, and localities are asked to drastically carry out solutions stipulated in the Government’s Resolution 03/NQ-CP dated on January 15, 2010 on key measures for implementing the socio-economic development plan and State budget estimation in 2010 and Resolution 18/NQ-CP dated on April 06, 2010 on key measures to stabilize macro-economy, curb inflation and achieve a GDP growth rate of 6.5% in 2010, particularly:

a) To concentrate on macro operations by tightening price supervision, especially prices of primary commodities such as electricity, coal, oil and petrol, and food; comprehensively carrying out measures to manage market and stabilize prices; imposing strict punishments on any violation; and controlling inflation rate at 8%.

The State Bank of Việt Nam must take actions to lower mobilization and lending interest rates to 10% and 12% respectively while boosting the economy’s liquidity and total outstanding credit. It must quickly adopt the Project on Publicity and Transparency of Commercial Bank System.

Meanwhile, the Government also calls for drastic aggregate measures to promote export, control import, reduce excess of imports below 20% of the country’s total export tunrover by stopping the import of unnecessary commodities while imposing tax, non-tariff and technical barriers on import,  domestic elevating domestic production and consumption, so as to narrow the balance of international payments.

b) To strengthen the management over State budget collection and disbursement, thriving for a budget overspending of 6% . To advance the budget of 2011 to important projects that must be completed within this year. To complete the disbursement of State budget and governmental bonds on schedule. To attract and quickly distribute FDI and ODA funds and other indirect investments. To supervise and speed up the construction of key projects and quickly put them into operation, so as to enhance the investment effectiveness. To ensure electricity supplies for production and public life. To find out and churn out national keynote products.   

The Government assigned the Ministry of Industry and Trade to submit the Project on developing auxiliary industries. The Government requested the Ministry of Transport to immediately start constructing new landing and taking-off automatic direction-guide device system at airports.

c) To lift difficulties and promote business and production activities. To boost administrative reforms, anti-corruption, and prodigality; settling complaints, accusations, and pending lawsuits. To cut down at least 30% of administrative procedures during the 3^rd period of Project 30 on simplifying administrative procedures in State management, especially in tax, land, customs, capital construction, and investment licensing, in favor of both enterprises and the public.

d) To carry out social security and social welfare policies, centering on poverty allevaition, job generation, supports for poor households and students, and health insurance.

đ) To avert and battle against natural calamities and epidemics, especially forest fire, floods, and epidemic diseases on plants and animals, so as to minimize damages in production and people’s life.

e) To promptly draft and issue legal documents instructing the enforcement of laws and ordinances; to actively review the preparations of plans in order to build up and timely execute the Government and the PM’s monthly working programs; to outline the Government’s new projects, plans and reports which will be presented at the 7^th sitting session of the 12^th National Assembly; and to prepare for the dissemination and realization of these documents.

Minister and leaders of ministerial-level bodies must research, propose and submit the Government and the PM for consideration different mechanisms, policies and measures that can uphold the country’s different resources, untangle difficulties, and offer favorable conditions for domestic production, business and life.

2. The Government discussed the National Program on applying information technology (IT) in all activities of State agencies during the period of 2011-2015 and the Report on the construction and operation of e-government, presented by the Minister of Information and Communications.

At present, applying IT in activities of State agencies and moving toward the e-government development is an inevitable tendency and the country’s urgency. IT application is a smart choice for making the performance of the State apparatus fast, consistent, and smooth as well as facilitating the interrelationship between State agencies and people and enterprises, for the purpose of renovating the operations of the Government and State agencies, thereby ensuring their democratic, transparent and effective governance.

Thus, it is necessary to thoroughly assess the realization of this duty over the past time, study experience of other countries, and sketch out specific targets for each and every year and the next 5 years; to collect comments from experts and localities to finalize the legal framework, to train manpower, and to design yearly investment strategies.

The Ministry of Information and Communications functions as the main implementer, in collaboration with relevant agencies, to collect comments of the participants to this regular meeting, to complete the draft National Program on applying information technology (IT) in all activities of State agencies during the period of 2011-2015 and the Report on the construction and operation of e-government, then submit the documents to the PM for consideration and approval in May 2010.