The first session of the 14th National Assembly (NA), which wrapped up on July 29, is a success, fulfilling all set tasks relating to key personnel posts and decisions on other important issues.

The first session of the 14th NA wrapped up in Hanoi on July 29.

Speaking at a press conference on the outcomes of the session later the same day, Vice Head of the NA Office Do Manh Hung highlighted the significance of personnel work discussed at the ten-day session, saying that this plays an important role for the quality and efficiency of the governmental apparatus’s operation in the tenure.

The decision on personnel work was made strictly, promoting the sense of responsibility and democracy of NA deputies and ensuring the leadership of the Party, he said, adding that the results of vote and approval for detail positions recorded high assent rate.

The NA elected the NA Chair, four NA Vice Chairs, 13 members of the NA Standing Committee, President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Chief Judge of the Supreme People’s Court, Procurator General of the Supreme People's Procuracy , Chairman of the NA’s Ethnic Council , heads of NA Committees, NA Secretary General, and State Auditor General.

They also approved the organisation structure of the Government, which includes 18 ministries and ministerial–level agencies, and ratified the appointment of five deputy PMs, 17 ministers and four heads of ministerial–level agencies and a list of the vice chairman and members of the NA’s National Defence and Security Council.

After elected, the NA Chairwoman, President, Prime Minister and Chief Judge of the Supreme People’s Court took oaths, showing their strong determination to well perform duties entrusted by the Party, State and people.

The NA Standing Committee passed a list of Vice Chairs of the NA’s Ethnic Council and Standing Committee, permanent members and other members of the council and committees of the 14th NA.

This is the first time the NA Standing Committee has implemented the authority in line with new regulations of the 2013 Constitution and the Law on the Organisation of the National Assembly in 2014, Hung said.

Replying to queries on supervision work in the time ahead, NA Secretary General Nguyen Hanh Phuc said the NA decided to carry out supervision on the law enforcement in food safety and State administrative apparatus reform in the 2011-2016 period.

The NA’s Committee for Science, technology and Environment will be responsible for supervising environment in the central region, and then report to the NA Standing Committee and the NA, Phuc said.

He also revealed that the NA Office has planned to arrange training programmes for deputies, who joined the NA for the first time, towards improving the quality of lawmakers.

The NA Office has set up an electronic NA Office to facilitate its activities while working with the Japanese side to upgrade the NA Library, which archives various documents serving NA deputies’ reference, he said.

Lawmakers discuss sustainable socio-economic development

Sustainable socio-economic development, a transparent and action-oriented government, responsibilities of leaders and agriculture restructuring were among matters drawing special attention from lawmakers during the final working day of the 14th National Assembly’s first session in Hanoi on July 29.

Deputy Vu Tien Loc from Thai Binh expressed his support for the government’s stance on stabilising the macro-economy as a foundation for growth.

He said a new wave of reform is taking root and a confidence in business environment is awakening again thanks to drastic actions by the government over the past six months.

He suggested spreading effective models in support of entrepreneurship in localities, including special economic zones, e-government, public administration service centres and investment promotion agencies under the watch of local authorities and Party committees.

Deputy Pham Phu Quoc from Ho Chi Minh City spoke highly of the government’s report on the socio-economic performance and State budget for the first half of this year, saying that the aim for a start-up nation and a transparent and action-oriented government has positively affected the economy.

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung, for his part, said from the beginning of its tenure, the government requested clearing hindrances to businesses, including considering the possibility of lowering lending rates and holding monthly dialogues between ministers, leaders of centrally-run cities and business owners.

In order to improve business climate and national competitiveness, the government has exerted efforts to reform taxation and customs procedures, thus cutting travelling and business costs, he stated.

Meanwhile, To Van Tam from the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum hailed institutional reform as an initial and proper breakthrough, and expressed his wish for quicker inspection of inefficient projects worth trillions of Vietnamese dong.

Deputy Phan Van Tuong from the northern province of Thai Nguyen underscored the need to clarify responsibilities of leaders of localities, agencies and units, saying this will help improve business and investment environment, raise the national competitiveness, and complete the management mechanism.

The agriculture sector should also be restructured, especially in the Mekong Delta, which is hard hit by climate change and saline intrusion, said Mai Thi Anh Tuyet from the Mekong Delta province of An Giang.

According to Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong, Vietnam is currently home to 12 million farming households, 3,000 agriculture firms and 1,000 cooperatives.

The ministry will work closely with the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry to refine policies that call for opening more cooperatives and large-scale production zones, he said, adding that between now and the end of this year, further focus will be put on fisheries, pig breeding, autumn-winter rice crops and disaster prevention.

14th NA determined to act for interests of the people

The 14th National Assembly (NA) has expressed its determination to continue reforms to improve operation quality, to build an united and creative NA that acts for the interests of the people, for the honour and pride of the nation and for the sustainable development of the country, which was declared by NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan in her speech to the inaugural ceremony.

As many as 316 new deputies out of 494 breathed new life into the first session of the NA which went through 13 tenures in the past 70 years, particularly amid recent complicated and uncertain developments in the region and the world.

Lawmakers expressed their determination to fulfill tasks entrusted by the NA and people.

Apart from discussing socio-economic reports and deciding on the country’s key issues, the NA elected NA Chair and Vice Chairs, members of the NA Standing Committee, Chair of the NA Ethnic Council, heads of the NA Committees, NA Secretary General, President and Vice President, Prime Minister, Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court, Procurator General of the Supreme People's Procuracy and the State Auditor General.

They also decided on the apparatus of the government, approve the appointment of Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers and other government members, Vice Chairs and members of the National Defence and Security Council.

In his inaugural address, President Tran Dai Quang promised to devote himself to serving the Fatherland and the people. He will closely coordinate with the NA, the Government and relevant agencies to perform his duties, proactively engage in fine-tuning the legal system, and improve the management effectiveness of the socialist law-governed State, that is of the people, by the people and for the people.

The President also pledged to ensure the building of revolutionary, regular, elite and modern armed forces so as to firmly safeguard the country’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, along with political stability and peace for national development.

He will also work hard to promote the great national unity bloc, comprehensive reforms, and proactive integration while raising Vietnam’s stature and prestige in the world.

In his swearing-in ceremony, newly-elected PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc clarified his great responsibility assigned by the Party, NA, voters and people nationwide, affirming that he will make every effort to serve the nation and people.

“As the leader of the top State administrative body, the Government and I will inherit and promote the achievements of the 30-year renewal, tapping all the opportunities and advantages, fixing shortcomings and weaknesses, overcoming difficulties and challenges, and working hard for a Government which works to spur growth, upholds integrity, and acts drastically to serve the people,” vowed the PM.

The legislature wrapped up its first session in Hanoi on July 29 after eight days of sitting.

VNA