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The Government’s regular meeting in March 2018

April 22, 2018 9:38 AM GMT+7

THE GOVERNMENT
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SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM
Independence - Freedom - Happiness
 
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No. 23/NQ-CP

Ha Noi, April 08, 2018

 

RESOLUTION

THE GOVERNMENT’S REGULAR MEETING – MARCH 2018

THE GOVERNMENT

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated June 19, 2015;

Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 138/2016/ND-CP dated October 01, 2016 promulgating the working regulation of the Government;

Based on the discussion of the Cabinet members and the conclusion of the Prime Minister at the Government’s regular meeting in March 2018, held on April 02, 2018

DECIDES

1. On the socio-economic situation in March and the first quarter of 2018, the implementation of Resolution No. 01/NQ-CP on major tasks and solutions to guiding the implementation of the socio-economic development plan and State budget plan in 2018.

The Government unanimously agreed: The socio-economic situation in March and the first quarter of 2018 continued to maintain positive development trajectory. Macroeconomic situation was stable. Inflation was kept under control. Interest rate and foreign exchange market were stable. Foreign exchange reserves continued to rise. The stock market rose sharply. State budget revenues were relatively good. Total spending for new development investment increased by 10.4%. Export turnover in the first quarter increased by 22%. Trade surplus reached about US$ 1.3 billion. Positive import structure was observed. Economic growth rate in the first quarter was estimated at 7.38%, the highest in 10 years. Agricultural production recorded clear recovery and reached a growth rate of 4.05%, almost double compared to that of the same period last year. Industrial production grew at a high rate of 11.6%, in which processing and manufacturing continued to be the main drivers. Mining had rebounded after two consecutive years of decline. Aggregate demand and purchasing power continued to increase. International arrivals increased 30.9% over the same period last year. Business investment environment continued to improve. Social welfare, people's health care and food safety received due attention. Activities in the fields of culture, sports, education, training, science, technology, labor, employment, etc. were effectively implemented. National security and defense were maintained. Social security order was guaranteed. Political and foreign affairs of the Party and State leaders were well organized and successfully implemented, bringing many practical results. Viet Nam successfully hosted the sixth Greater Mekong Sub-region Summit and the 10th Cambodia-Laos-Viet Nam Development Triangle Summit 10 in Ha Noi.

Besides the above-mentioned achievements, the economy still faced a number of limitations, which include the number of newly-established enterprises increasing at a lower level than the same period last year, slow disbursement of investment capital from the central budget, complex developments in traffic, fire and explosion domains and the occurrence of a number of serious cases, causing damage to people and property, natural disasters and complicated weather creating negative impact on production and life, and the complicated and unpredictable global situation, with many risks and many impacts on our country.

The Government agreed to set an economic growth goal in 2018 of at least 6.7% and determined to strive to achieve higher growth to create momentum for 2019 and subsequent years, and at the same time, improve the quality of growth for the safe and happy life of the people, and ensure comprehensive development in economy, society, national defense, security and foreign affairs. The Government requested ministries, agencies and localities to continue to make their best efforts and actively carry out drastically, synchronously and effectively tasks and solutions according to Resolutions of the Party, the National Assembly and the Government, especially Resolution No. 01/NQ-CP and the Government's Resolutions on improving the business investment environment and improving competitiveness, support business development, proactively propose and have solutions and countermeasures in line with international and domestic economic developments, strengthen state management, acceleration, inspection, innovation and invention activities to create clear and substantial changes in each sector and each field. Attention should be paid to the implementation of the following contents:

- The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall regularly monitor the socio-economic situation and the execution of growth scenarios of each sector, each field, and the whole country, and quarterly report and propose to the Government and the Prime Minister specific directions and management solutions. The Ministry shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Science and Technology and concerned ministries and agencies in impact review and assessment, and the formulation of a national strategy on the 4th industrial revolution.

- Each ministry, sector and locality shall closely follow up with the actual situation, update growth scenarios of each sector, field, product and locality, regularly review and evaluate the possibility of development scenarios to take appropriate measures, consider this as an important political task of each Minister, Head of Ministerial-level agencies and Chairperson of Provincial-level People's Committees.

- Ministries and agencies managing prices of essential commodities and services shall take initiative in closely coordinating with the Ministry of Finance to propose a roadmap for price adjustment at a right level and in a right time and report it to the Prime Minister to ensure the achievement of the inflation control target.

- Ministries and ministerial-level agencies shall intensify discipline and order in the development and finalization of laws and regulations, pay attention to tackling obstacles and inadequacies in legislation to create an open and transparent legal environment for the mobilization of social resources to promote development. To speed up the development, submission and promulgation of legal documents to avoid delays. The Ministry of Justice and the Government Office were assigned to monitor and accelerate the implementation. Ministers and Heads of ministerial-level agencies were requested to closely direct, revise and finalize documents detailing effective laws and ordinances. And at the same time, to expeditiously develop documents detailing the implementation of laws which will take effect from July 1, 2018 for submission to the Government and the Prime Minister for promulgation or promulgate the documents according to their authority, not to create any delays in the promulgation of detailing documents.

- The State Bank of Viet Nam shall continue to effectively manage monetary policy, interest rate and exchange rate in alignment with with fiscal policy and other macro policies to control inflation, stabilize macroeconomic situation and promote growth. To closely control electronic payment transactions. To utilize regulations to coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors to fight, prevent and stop activities taking advantage of the banking system, payment system for trading and exchange of virtual currency, using virtual money as a means of payment. To well manage credit growth, improve credit quality, reduce incurrence of bad debts. To strictly control credit for potentially risky areas such as real estate and securities. To step up the restructuring of credit institution systems in association with handling of bad debts and ensuring the system safety.

- The Ministry of Finance shall strengthen financial discipline and state budget, continue to restructure state budget and public debt, manage well budget collection and prevention of price transfer, tax evasion, expansion of tax base, extend the application of electronic invoices, strictly control regular expenditures, especially meeting expenses, purchase of equipment and means of transportation for business trips within and outside the country, and continue to coordinate with ministries, agencies and localities to propose cost reduction measures for businesses.

- Ministries, sectors and localities shall urgently accelerate the allocation of detailed capital plans and the implementation and disbursement of public investment funds, with priority given to accelerate the disbursement of capital construction in arrears and repayment of capital advance, focus on speeding up procedures related to construction, bidding, payment and settlement. Particularly for the budget plan to balance local budgets, localities were allowed to allocate budget capital to balance local budgets in 2018 to projects funded with capital from the state budget (domestic capital), which had the disbursement rate, until September 30, 2017, of 30% less than the budget plan in 2017 assigned from the beginning of the year.

- Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh was assigned to direct relevant ministries and agencies to implement measures on traffic order and safety, fire and explosion prevention and measures to strengthen control, inspection, minimize traffic accidents, fire and explosion to ensure security and order in some areas in the Central Highlands.

- Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue was assigned to direct and urge ministries, agencies and localities to continue implementing the tasks and solutions to accelerate the disbursement of public investment capital as mentioned in Resolution No. 70/NQ-CP dated August 3, 2017 of the Government.

- Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam was assigned to lead the preliminary review of the program of creative start-ups and direct the inspection of food safety assurance.

- Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung was assigned to continue to remove difficulties and obstacles, and accelerate the progress of important projects and works, and boost production and business as well as economic growth.

- Ministries, agencies and localities shall continue to take drastic and synchronous measures to speed up economic restructuring in line with growth model renovation and improvement of labor productivity, quality, efficiency and competitiveness. To focus on the equitization of state-owned enterprises and divestment of state capital, ensuring to fulfil the 2018 plan approved by the Prime Minister. To intensify inter-sector coordination in removing difficulties and solving problems in the implementation of works and projects, especially infrastructure and energy works and key industrial production to open resources and improve production and business efficiency.

- The Ministry of Industry and Trade shall assume the prime responsibility for and coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies in settling and responding promptly to changes in countries’ trade policies which can affect export. To prepare contents to organize a conference on comprehensive solutions to promote export. To control import at an appropriate level. To study and take defensive measures in accordance with international commitments signed by Viet Nam in order to protect domestic production and consumption. To adopt solutions and policies to step up development and strictly control the domestic market, the retail distribution system and new forms of business and e-commerce.

- The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall strengthen forecasting and provision of recommendations for agricultural production, ensure the balance between supply and demand, and review the plannings of each sector. To coordinate with localities in communication, awareness raising, and mobilization of farmers to join new-model cooperatives. To assume the prime responsibility for and coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Finance (the General Department of Customs) in working out measures to boost export of main agricultural products.

- The Ministry of Transport shall expeditiously develop a plan to accelerate the progress of important traffic infrastructure works which had already been promulgated. Attention should be paid to speeding up the construction of Trung Luong - My Thuan and My Thuan - Can Tho expressways.

- The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall intensify the inspection, examination, and handling of violations and the prevention and control of projects and works which are likely to cause environmental pollution. To coordinate with provinces to thoroughly deal with establishments polluting the environment of residential areas. To assume the prime responsibility for and coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and concerned agencies in, preparing contents to organize a conference on land concentration mechanisms and policies, raising land-use efficiency and a conference on strengthening land management in state owned agro-forestry farms.

- The Ministry of Education and Training shall intensify education management, pay attention to directing to address specific issues related to the educational environment, ensuring school security and safety, strictly handling cases of violence, examine school facilities, especially food safety and sanitary conditions in schools.

- The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall step up tourism promotion, focusing on a number of important tourist destinations and prominent tourist products with high competitiveness compared to regional destinations. To make good use of opportunities to attract international visitors to Vietnam, especially those from high-spending, long-stay markets. To step up the review, adjustment and assurance of accommodation service quality throughout the country.

- The Ministry of Health shall actively apply measures to prevent and fight epidemics, especially diseases that usually occur during the transition period between two seasons. To speed up the application of information technology in medical examination and treatment for the people. To take initiative in closely coordinating with relevant ministries and agencies and provinces in intensifying the control of establishments producing and trading food and food services to ensure food safety.

- The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs shall coordinate with localities in implementing social welfare policies, policies towards people with meritorious services, reducing poverty and creating jobs for rural laborers.

- The Government praised the Ministries of Justice, Industry and Trade, Transportation, Health, Construction, Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs for announcing their plans to reduce and simplify by 50% of the list of goods, products and procedures subject to specialized inspection and business conditions in the sector or area under their authority. The Government requested ministries and agencies, according to their assigned functions and tasks, to promptly promulgate guiding documents, according to their authority, or report to the Government for review and promulgation Decrees on reducing business conditions and specialized examination procedures to facilitate earliest application.

- Ministries and agencies assigned to lead the organisation of conferences shall urgently prepare contents and programs for implementation from April 2018.

- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall follow up with developments and changes in policies of other countries, promptly advise and propose the Government and the Prime Minister appropriate solutions.

- The Ministry of Public Security shall direct functional forces to intensify the inspection and review of all fire prevention and fighting activities at apartment buildings and high buildings, organize fire prevention and fighting exercises for the people, and promptly arrange and consolidate fire prevention and fighting forces to ensure their efficient operation.

- The Ministry of Defense shall strengthen the protection of territorial sovereignty, sea and islands and ensure the safety of fishermen. Coordinate with localities to take measures to communicate, guide and prevent fishermen from illegal exploitation and trading in marine areas.

- The Ministry of Information and Communications shall direct news agencies to intensify the information and communication of innovation initiatives, promote the upscaling of advanced models and new models in the development and protection of domestic production and consumption, contributing to strengthening belief among the people and the whole society. Collaborate with the Ministry of Public Security to promote communication and awareness raising activities among the people on fire prevention and fighting.

- At the Government meeting, the People's Committee of Ha Noi presented a proposal on the adjustment of construction planning of the land plot at 148 Giang Vo, Ha Noi and the implementation of planning for the construction of the National Exhibition Center in Dong Anh, Ha Noi and opinions of the relevant ministries.

- Ministries, agencies and localities shall take initiative in closely coordinating with the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front and its member organizations to effectively implement supervision programs.

- Ministries and agencies shall well prepare contents for the 5th session of the 14th National Assembly. Ministers and Heads of ministerial-level agencies shall take initiative in reviewing contents related to the domains and sectors within their authority to report to the National Assembly of issues concerned by the National Assembly deputies and voters.

2. Regarding the report on additional assessment of the implementation results of the socio-economic development plan in 2017 and the implementation of the socio-economic development plan in 2018.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall collect comments from the Cabinet members and finalize the report on additional assessment of the implementation results of the socio-economic development plan in 2017 and the implementation of the socio-economic development plan in 2018. The Minister of Planning and Investment was authorized by Prime Minister to act on behalf of the Government to submit the report to the the National Assembly Standing Committee and the National Assembly as stipulated by law.

3. Regarding the report on additional assessment of the implementation of the state budget in 2017, the implementation of the state budget estimates in 2018

The Ministry of Finance shall collect comments of the Cabinet members, finalize the report on additional assessment of the implementation of the state budget in 2017, the implementation of the state budget estimates in 2018. The Minister of Finance was authorized by Prime Minister to act on behalf of the Government to submit the report to the National Assembly and take responsibility for the data and contents of the report.

4. Regarding the Reports on state budget settlement of 2016 and review results of responsibilities and handling of organizations and individuals committing law-breaking acts in the management and administration of the state budget in 2014-2015 and 2016

a) The Government agreed with the Reports on state budget settlement of 2016 submitted by the Ministry of Finance. The Minister of Finance was authorized by Prime Minister to act on behalf of the Government to submit the report to the National Assembly and take responsibility for the data and contents of the report.

b) The Ministry of Home Affairs shall complete and take responsibility for the contents and data of the report on review results of responsibilities and handling of organizations and individuals committing law-breaking acts in the management and administration of the state budget in 2014-2015 and 2016 in accordance with Resolution No. 37/2017/QH14 dated June 19, 2017 of the National Assembly and Dossier No. 944/UBTCNS14 dated March 20, 2018 of the National Assembly’s Finance and Budget Committee, to send the report to the Ministry of Finance to synthesize into a Report on state budget settlement of 2016 for submission to the National Assembly Standing Committee and the National Assembly.

5. Regarding the draft Resolution of the Government on special mechanisms and policies to support Ninh Thuan province on socio-economic development, production and people's life stabilization in the 2018-2023 period

a) The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with relevant ministries, sectors and the People's Committee of Ninh Thuan province in collecting comments of the Government members, finalizing provisions on special mechanisms and policies to support Ninh Thuan province on socio-economic development, production and people's life stabilization in the 2018-2023 period. The Ministry shall send the document to collect comments from the Ministry of Justice on contents and forms of the document, ensuring its compliance with the legislation. On that basis, the Ministry shall finalize the document and submit it to the Prime Minister for signing in May 2018.

b) The Government acknowledged proposals of the People's Committee of Ninh Thuan province, and shall continue to pay attention and create favorable conditions for the development of Ninh Thuan province. Relevant ministries and sectors were assigned to, according to their assigned functions and tasks, study, review and apply them according to regulations. With regard to matters falling under the authority of the National Assembly Standing Committee and the National Assembly, the Ministry of Planning and Investment shall assume the prime responsibility for and coordinate with the relevant ministries and agencies in reporting to the National Assembly Standing Committee for review and decision.

6. Regarding investment incentives for NIDEC Group in Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park

The Government agreed on the investment conditions and incentives for NIDEC Group (Japan) in Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park stated in Report No. 818/TTr-BKHCN dated March 30, 2018 of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

The Ministry of Science and Technology was assigned to instruct Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park Management Board to urgently review to grant investment registration certificates for the first two projects of NIDEC Group in Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park (Nidec Techno Motor Viet Nam and Nidec Shimpo Viet Nam Projects).

The Ministry of Justice was assigned to take the prime responsibility for and coordinate with the Ministry of Science and Technology and the People's Committee of Ha Noi in reviewing the authority to decide on the application of special mechanisms in support and preferential policies of Ha Noi People's Committee for projects of NIDEC Group in Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park according to the legislation and report to the Prime Minister.

7. Regarding the draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Construction, the Law on Housing, the Law on Urban Planning, the Law on Real Estate Business

The Ministry of Construction shall assume the prime responsibility for and coordinate with the Ministry of Justice, the Government Office and concerned Ministries and agencies in collecting comments of cabinet members, the Government Office's verification opinions, revise and finalize the draft Law. The Minister of Construction was authorized by the Prime Minister to act on behalf of the Government to sign the Government's Report and report to the National Assembly on the Law.

8. Regarding the draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Public Investment

The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall assume the prime responsibility for and coordinate with the Ministry of Justice, the Government Office and concerned Ministries and agencies in collecting comments of cabinet members, the Government Office's verification opinions, revise and finalize the draft Law, and report to the Prime Minister before submitting it to the National Assembly.

9. Regarding the draft Law on the People's Police (revised)

The Ministry of Public Security shall assume the prime responsibility for and coordinate with the Ministry of Justice, the Government Office and concerned ministries and agencies in completing procedures and dossiers according to regulations, collecting comments of cabinet members, the Ministry of Justice's appraisal opinions, and the Government Office's verification opinions to revise and finalize the draft Law, and coordinate with the Government Office in collecting comments of the Government cabinet members for synthesis and reporting to the Prime Minister before submitting it to the National Assembly. At the same time, the Ministry shall report and consult with the Politburo on major issues having different opinions.

10. Regarding the draft Law amending and supplementing a number of laws, which are related to plannings, including the Law on Chemicals, the Law on economical and efficient use of energy, the Law on Electricity, the Law on Pharmacy, the Law on Tobacco Control, the Law on Food Safety, the Law on Notarization, the Law on Children, the Law on Science and Technology, and the Law on Investment

The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall assume the prime responsibility for and coordinate with the Ministry of Justice, the Government Office and relevant ministries and agencies in collecting comments of the Cabinet members and the Government Office's verification opinions and finalizing the draft Law. The Minister of Planning and Investment was authorized by the Prime Minister to act on behalf of the Government to sign the Government's Report and report to the National Assembly on the Law.

11. Regarding the performance of tasks assigned by the Government and the Prime Minister and inspection results in March 2018

The Working Group was assigned to continue accelerating and inspecting the performance of tasks assigned by the Government and the Prime Minister to Ministries, agencies, localities, groups and corporations. To concentrate on examining the implementation of tasks and solutions on growth, institutional development and finalization, especially overcoming legal document backlogs and reporting at the Government's regular meetings.

Ministries and agencies were requested to seriously apply recommendations of the Working Group. Attention should be paid on the implementation of the following contents:

- Continue reviewing the list of products, goods, specialized inspection procedures and business conditions in their competence sectors and fields in order to simplify, reduce or abolish unnecessary and unreasonable business conditions, ensuring to achieve objectives set out by the Government.

- Expeditiously formulate and report to the Government on the draft Decree amending a number of Decrees on business conditions and specialized inspection procedures under their management authority.

12. Regarding reports on the implementation of the Government's resolutions and working programs in the first quarter of 2018, the implementation of the Government's Resolution No. 36a/NQ-CP on e-Government, the inspection and settlement of complaints and denunciations and fight against corruption in the first quarter of 2018, the implementation of the Government's Law- and Ordinance-Making Program and the promulgation of documents detailing the implementation of laws and ordinances in the first quarter of 2018, administrative reform in the first quarter of 2018, the implementation of the Government's Resolution No. 19-2017/NQ-CP on major tasks and solutions to improve the business environment and raise the national competitiveness, the implementation of the Government's Resolution No. 35/NQ-CP on business support and development till 2020

Ministries and agencies assigned to assume the prime responsibility for elaborating reports include the Government Office, the Government Inspectorate, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Ministry of Planning and Investment based on their assigned functions and tasks to collect comments of the Cabinet members and finalize the reports for promulgation according to their authority to ensure their effective deployment.

13. Regarding legal documents promulgated by the Government or the Prime Minister which are no longer applied in practice but no document has been issued to identify their annulment.

The Government requested Ministries and Ministerial-level agencies, within the ambit of their assigned functions and tasks, to regularly review and propose the annulment of documents under the promulgation authority of the Government or the Prime Minister (if any). Every 6 months, Ministries shall report to the Ministry of Justice for synthesis.

The Ministry of Justice was assigned to assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with concerned Ministries and agencies in, formulating legal documents to annul documents proposed by Ministries and Ministerial-level agencies according to the simplified order and procedures. Every six months the Ministry shall report to the Government and the Prime Minister for review and promulgation (if any)./.

 

ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT

PRIME MINISTER

(Signed)

  

Nguyen Xuan Phuc