Strong determination to cut “sublicenses” hindering national development

Minister-Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung (standing) chairs the meeting with representatives of 16 ministries on Wednesday. Photo: VGP

Minister Dung, who was appointed head of the Task Force on August 19, 2016, made the statement at a meeting with 16 ministries in Ha Noi on Wednesday.

The move reflects the Government’s strong determination to cut as many outdated procedures and sublicenses as possible.

Earlier, the Government ordered 11 ministries to cut by 50% of goods subjected to specialized inspection. Top of the list are the Ministry of Health (802 categories of goods), the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (251), the Ministry of Information and Communications (143). Around 3,570 procedures in 237 legal documents must also be removed.

According to Dr. Tran Dinh Thien, Director of the Viet Nam Economics Institute, the reform agenda is advancing well thanks to drastic direction from the central Government, creating trust among business community.

Thien and President of the Central Institute for Economic Management Nguyen Dinh Cung however stressed that the relevant ministries need to move faster with real actions as outcomes vary from ministry to ministry.

The rate of specialized inspection fell from 35% down to 26% last year and is expected to further decrease to 15% in 2018 but it is still higher than the average level of 7% of other countries, said Vice Minister of Finance Do Hoang Anh Tuan.

Minister Dung said inspection will begin since March 15 with the engagement of business associations and the results will be reported to the Prime Minister.

He expressed belief that administrative reform, if conducted well, will create larger room for growth, thus concerted and consistent efforts must be maintained./.

By Hai Minh