VietNamNet Bridge – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has urged for balanced supply and demand of goods so as to keep their prices from spiralling, especially farm produce and foodstuff as the lunar New Year approaches.

An overview of the meeting. (Photo: VNA)

He made the request at a monthly Cabinet meeting in Hanoi on December 2 to review the January-November socio-economic performance and the five-year implementation of a Party resolution on agriculture, farmers and rural areas, and discuss how to achieve this year’s goals.

PM Dung requested ministries, agencies and localities to clear business obstacles, helping firms to scale up their production and trade.

In the past 11 months, the country saw progress in curbing inflation and stabilising the macro-economy with falling interest rates and double credit growth compared to the same period last year.

Industrial production was on the recovery, especially the processing and manufacturing sectors. Exports gained momentum that led to a lower trade deficit, more foreign direct investment and official development assistance were disbursed while social welfare was ensured for all.

The government leader also asked ministries, agencies and localities to stick to practising thrift and fulfil this year’s State budget plan as previously approved.

He asked them to act quickly on construction projects, closely oversee the use of investment capital while extending support to storm-hit victims.

Regarding hydropower projects, relevant agencies must notify the Government of the operations of 268 active plants’ reservoirs, the Prime Minister said, adding that at the same time, they must pay attention to resettlement and afforestation in areas where these projects are underway.

During the meeting, Cabinet members discussed and gave opinions on a report on the Party resolution on agriculture, farmers and rural areas.

They said the resolution has proved its high efficiency in maintaining the development of agriculture and rural areas, improving farmers’ income and living conditions, thus making significant contributions to sustaining the country’s economic development as well as social and political stability.

However, participants pointed out that Vietnam’s agricultural sector is facing a number of shortcomings, including the poor quality and competitiveness of products.

They proposed measures to promote agricultural development in the 2014-2020 period, focusing on continuing stepping up the new-style rural areas programme in line with the enhancement of investment in rural socio-economic infrastructure building.

It is necessary to keep on improving living conditions for rural residents, especially those in poor areas, they said, adding that synchronous solutions should be applied to strengthen the poverty reduction work, increasing the quality of cultural, education and healthcare services for people in rural areas.

The restructuring of enterprises in the agricultural sector is needed with better engagement of private firms, and stronger connectivity between businesses and farmers, they said.

The Cabinet members also emphasised the importance of strengthening technology research and transfer, as well as human resources training in rural areas.

Source: Vietnam Plus