Deputy Pham Khanh Phong Lan from HCM City, who is also deputy head of the city's Department of Health.

Lan also suggested the time for licensing new registration should be 12 months instead of 18 months as stated in the draft.

"Less time will mean less harassment by local officials," she explained. "I've seen many firms in HCM City losing their business opportunities while waiting for the registration which takes much longer than needed."

The proposal from the HCM City deputy relates to a new problem concerning firms operating in Vietnam.

The Law on Enterprises and Law on Investment were passed in November 2014 and they laid out some reforms on economic policies and administrative formalities.

They were partially intended to prevent local agencies from adding additional regulations or documents in the circulars or having the opportunity to irritate local firms.

But right after these two new laws took effect, some agencies sought new ways to legalise their need to interfere with businesses.

For example, the Law on Accounting, which is being discussed at the NA, has an inappropriate provision which requires the director of a firm to have a certificate on accounting.

Many deputies have rejected this, saying this was completely unnecessary because a director could just hire an accountant.

This one example, but if NA deputies are not smart enough to turn down these kinds of provisions, local businesses will still be tortured by bullying state officers and their interest groups.

More capable NA deputies needed for next tenure

Deputies of the National Assembly on March 28 underscored the need to have more capable deputies to help improve the performance and supervisory activities of the legislature in the next term.

Deputy Huynh Nghia of Danang City said at a review session on the performance of the 13th NA that in the next tenure, the NA should consider selecting more full-time deputies who are capable of fulfilling assigned duties.

Deputy Huynh Van Tiep of Can Tho City said the quality of NA deputies plays a crucial role in enhancing the effectiveness of the NA. Deputies should regularly meet voters and listen to their voices.

“The NA decides on budget use but haphazard and ineffective investments are still prevalent due to a lack of supervision and monitoring… Therefore, qualified deputies are needed to contribute to policy improvements and ensure effective supervision,” Tiep said.

It can be seen at many NA sessions that many deputies are absent and do not speak out opinions. They do not voice opinions and expectations of votes but let the NA discuss and decide, according to Tiep.

Meanwhile, deputy Truong Thi Hue of Thai Nguyen Province suggested building a set of criteria to assess NA deputies to promote the NA advancement.

Dtinews/SGT