Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc made clear several issues under the watch of the Government during a question-and-answer session at the ongoing sixth plenum of the 14th National Assembly on November 1. 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the session

The PM said since the beginning of the tenure nearly three years ago, Vietnam has maintained socio-political and macro-economic stability and high economic growth despite uncertain and complicated economic developments in the world. 

He expressed determination to ease red tape and corruption and asked departments and agencies to set the example of saving State budget, drastically fight negative behaviours and wastefulness in line with Decision No.08-DQ/TW dated October 25, 2018. 

The leader highlighted the need to refine socialism-oriented market economy mechanism, heed judicial reform, protect citizens’ asset and rights, step up personnel streamlining, and improve business climate. 

He suggested amending Decree No.96/2014.ND-CP on dealing with administrative violations in finance-banking, and facilitating the private sector, thus creating a driving force for smart agriculture, high-tech industry, ecological tourism, modern financial services and technology. 

In the near future, the Government will pursue the consistent goal of stabilising macro-economy; curbing inflation; ensuring national financial safety, monetary and food security, traditional and non-traditional security while drastically restructuring the economy in accordance with the National Assembly’s Resolution No.24, seriously realising the NA’s Resolution No.25 on the 2016-2020 financial plan, and bringing State budget deficit to below 3.5 percent of the gross domestic product by 2020. 

At the same time, the Government will also try to create three strategic breakthroughs, fix shortcomings in resources allocation and infrastructure building, give priority to the sustainable development of socio-culture, health care and education, as well as deal with social issues of concern such as family violence, child sex abuse, environment pollution, traffic safety and fire prevention. 

Inspection, reception for citizens, settlement of complaints and denunciations will also be stepped up. 

The Government will improve the efficiency of external relations and global integration, fully tap signed trade agreements to deserve the trust of the people and legislature, he said. 

Answering Deputy Nguyen Thi Quyet Tam’s question about measures to ensure even efficiency of cabinet members, Phuc ordered heads of the sectors to be responsible for shortcomings and renew inspection of units. 

As 2018 is the Year of Government Mass Mobilisation, he asked authorities to hold dialogues with people of all walks of life, especially the young generation, and collect public feedback on draft laws. 

Responding to a question about religious policy raised by Deputy Thich Thanh Quyet from the northern province of Quang Ninh, the PM said all religions are equal to the law and receive attention from the Party, State, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front. 

Vietnam is now home to 15 religions, 42 religious organisations, and 25.3 million religious followers accounting for 23 percent of the total population. It is chosen to host the Vesak Buddhist festival by the United Nations for three times, proving that Vietnam has religious freedom in accordance with the Constitution. 

After the Law on Beliefs and Religions took effect, a number of guideline documents have been issued, he said. 

Regarding response to climate change in the Mekong Delta, the PM said the Government has directed switching to farming of other crops and animals, allocating over 12 trillion VND (521 million USD) for projects and recently adding more 2.5 trillion VND for the effort. 

As for debts in basic construction, he said over 9 trillion VND was earmarked to pay debts in ministries and agencies in the 2016-2020 mid-term investment plan. 

The Government has submitted a set of criteria for the use of the contingency fund to settle debts in basic construction, he said.-VNA