Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his spouse

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, his spouse and a high-level Government delegation will pay official visits to Kuwait on October 26 and 27, and to Myanmar on October 28 and 29.

The Prime Minister’s visits are made at the invitation of Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and Myanmar President U Win Myint, respectively./.

Vietnam expects to achieve all major targets in 2019: PM

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the session.

Vietnam expects to fulfill all socio-economic development targets in 2019, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc told the National Assembly in Hanoi on October 21.

In presenting a report on socio-economic situation in 2019 and socio-economic development plan for 2020 at the eighth session of the 14th-tenure National Assembly, the PM said 2019 is expected to be the second consecutive year when the country achieves all 12 major objectives, with five surpassed.

He said the economic growth is forecast to be higher than the target, while macro-economic stability is maintained and inflation kept under control, and major economic balances are strengthened.

The national gross domestic product (GDP) is projected to expand by 6.8 percent this year, one of the highest growth rates in the region and the world, the PM said, stressing that the results are attributable to great endeavours of administrations at all levels, all sectors and the entire nation amidst challenges to agriculture and difficulties faced by export activities.

Over the past time, Vietnam has maintained the macro-economy firmly in the face of uncertainties of the global financial and monetary markets, with the consumer price index (CPI) growing less than 3 percent, lower than the set target, PM Phuc said.

The building of new-style rural areas has reaped outstanding achievements, he reported, adding that by the end of this year, about 53-54 percent of communes and 110 districts are set to win the status, meeting the target set for 2020 nearly two years ahead of schedule.

The Government leader also highlighted outcomes in other areas like Party building and rectification, political system consolidation and the combat against corruption and wastefulness.

Mentioning recent complex developments in the East Sea, including serious infringements upon Vietnam’s waters, PM Phuc affirmed that the Party and State have resolutely and persistently struggled against the violations by many measures in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, while maintaining a peaceful environment, friendship and cooperation with other countries.

However, apart from these above-said achievements, there still remain weaknesses and challenges that need great efforts to be addressed in the time ahead, he pointed out.

Regarding the socio-economic development plan for 2020, PM Phuc said the year 2020 is of significance as it marks the 90th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the 75th National Day and the 130th birthday of late President Ho Chi Minh. All-level Party congresses will also be held in the year, towards the 13th National Party Congress.

He listed the overall goals for 2020, which are stabilizing the macro-economy; controlling inflation; improving productivity, quality, efficiency and competitiveness of the national economy, accelerating reform and perfection of institutions, creating a favourable, open business environment, stepping up economic restructuring in combination with growth model reform, speeding up the implementation of major national projects, promoting the role of key economic zones and major urban areas, developing high-quality human resources, and spurring economic growth rapidly and sustainably.

Vietnam will try its best to well perform its roles as ASEAN Chair in 2020 and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 term, while firmly protecting national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and a peaceful and stable environment for development, and improving the country’s prestige and position in the international area, PM Phuc said.

He presented some major targets set for next year, including a GDP growth rate at about 6.8 percent, poverty reduction of 1-1.5 percent and health coverage of 90.7 percent, among others.

In an assessment report, head of the NA’s Economic Committee Vu Hong Thanh suggested increasing the rate of trained labourers to serve the target of high-quality human resources development.

Besides, the committee recommended paying more attention to the progress and quality of drafting laws, law enforcement, effective streamlining of administrative procedures, the transparent and strict handling of violations in performing public duties, environmental protection and the fight against diseases and crimes./.

Vietnamese, Chinese provinces boost ties in trade union activities

The working session between the Bac Ninh Federation of Labour and the Zhejiang Federation of Trade Unions in the Vietnamese province on October 21

The Federation of Labour of northern Bac Ninh province signed a cooperation agreement on trade union activities with the Federation of Trade Unions of China’s Zhejiang province on October 21.

Addressing the meeting in the Vietnamese province, Chairwoman of the Bac Ninh Federation of Labour Nguyen Thi Van Ha said over the 69 years of the Vietnam-China diplomatic relations, especially since their ties were lifted to the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in 2008, the two countries’ connections have continually been expanded and intensified in all fields.

On that basis, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) and the All-China Federation of Trade Unions have carried numerous practical activities to enhance their friendship. With the two provinces’ similarities in socio-economic development, the VGCL suggested the Bac Ninh federation develop cooperative ties with the Zhejiang side, she noted.

Ha said that her province is home to 10 operational industrial parks which accommodate nearly 1,400 FDI projects of 33 countries and territories. About 80 Chinese businesses are investing in Bac Ninh, mostly in electronics and supporting industries.

Bac Ninh is currently ranking sixth in Vietnam in terms of the number of trade union members and workers, she added, highlighting her federation’s activities to support local labourers in recent years.

For her part, Vice Chairwoman of the Zhejiang Federation of Trade Unions Zhang Weihua highly valued the Bac Ninh federation’s activities in protecting interests and obligations of labourers.

She said through the trip, the Zhejiang federation learnt many creative measures to ensure labourers’ interests from the Vietnamese province.

At the working session, the two federations signed a cooperation agreement on trade union activities and a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in external relations./.

Vietnam, Japanese localities sign cooperation agreement

Representatives of the south central province of Binh Dinh and the Japanese city of Izumisano signed an agreement to set up friendly and cooperative ties in Quy Nhon city on October 21.

Under the agreement, the two sides will strive for the development of exchange and cooperation in the fields of administrative work, culture, tourism, education and economy in the principle of equality and in line with Vietnamese and Japanese laws and international practices.

Chairman of the Binh Dinh provincial People’s Committee Ho Quoc Dung said the agreement is expected to pave the way for elevating the bilateral ties to a new high for the benefit of the people of the two localities as well as the countries.

Binh Dinh has set up cooperative ties with numerous Japan’s cities in recent years. The province now has 18 Japanese-invested projects with total capital of 100 million USD. Besides, Japanese language faculties have been established at many Binh Dinh-based high schools and universities, contributing to promoting cooperation in culture between Binh Dinh and Japanese localities.

Izumisano Mayor Chiyomatsu Hiroyasu highlighted the significance of the cooperation between the two localities while saying that his city has built up cooperative ties with eight cities around the world since it issued a statement on an ‘international city’ in 2017.

Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Umeda Kunio spoke of the friendship between Izumisano and Binh Dinh, while expressing his belief that the relations will create a breakthrough step on cooperation and investment in various fields between the two localities.

He hoped the cooperation agreement would promote more Japanese investors to come to Binh Dinh in the coming time.

Also the same day, a Japan-Binh Dinh Koi fish centre was inaugurated in My Chau commune, Phu My district. The centre is expected to supply the Vietnamese market with between 1,000 and 3,000 Koi fish each year./.

Binh Dinh gets rice relief

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has agreed to allocate rice from national reserve for the south central province of Binh Dinh to help ease difficulties faced by local residents in natural disaster-hit areas.

Specifically, PM Phuc assigned the Ministry of Finance to allocate 494,850 tonnes of rice from the national reserve for drought and saltwater intrusion victims in Binh Dinh province.

The Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs is responsible for verifying report data.

The Binh Dinh provincial People’s Committee is in charge of receiving and allocating the rice relief to accurate beneficiaries./.

Hanoi boosts cooperation with Japan’s Fukuoka prefecture

Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen The Hung (R) presents a gift to acting Chairman of the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly Tosho Matsuo at the meeting on October 21

Leaders of Hanoi hosted on October 21 a delegation from Fukuoka prefecture of Japan led by Tosho Matsuo, acting Chairman of the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly.

At her meeting, Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People’s Council Phung Thi Hong Ha highlighted the city’s socio-economic achievements in recent times, saying that the attainments were partially contributed by partners, businesses and investors from Japan, including Fukuoka prefecture.

Ha affirmed the capital city always attaches importance to cooperation with Japanese localities.

Speaking highly of the development of Japan’s agriculture thanks to the application of advanced science and technology, she said she wants Fukuoka to help technology transfer to develop the high-quality agriculture model in Hanoi.

In 2020, Hanoi wants to continue coordinating with Fukuoka to organise cultural-art exchanges, cuisine activities and investment, trade and tourism promotion in order to increase mutual understanding and promote cooperation for the two countries’ benefit, Ha said.

Tosho Matsuo, who is also Chairman of the Fukuoka-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance, said Hanoi and Fukuoka have held practical exchange activities in a wide range of fields like economics, environmental protection, culture and education.

Also the same day, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen The Hung hosted the Japanese guests, who are on a working visit to Hanoi from October 21-23.

Hung said he wishes the two sides continue boosting cultural exchange and economic cooperation , while proposing Fukuoka help Hanoi in education-training, environment, transport infrastructure, and promotion of Hanoi typical products in the Japanese market. He hoped the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly would serve as a bridge to bring Japanese firms and investors to Hanoi.

Tosho Matsuo, for his part, affirmed members of the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly will continue to make contributions to strengthening friendship between the two localities and countries.

Japan is the top country in terms of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Hanoi with 10.4 billion USD and the largest official development assistance (ODA) provider of the capital city./.

NA deputies scrutinise State budget-related issues

NA deputies discussed measures to ensure the stability of the State budget collection during the afternoon sitting of the ongoing eighth session of the 14th National Assembly (NA), which opened on Monday.

Participants listened to a Government report on the implementation of the State budget in 2019, and debated the State budget estimate and allocation for 2020, as well as a verification report on the work.

Presenting the verification report, head of the NA’s Finance and Budget Committee Nguyễn Đức Hải praised the efforts and co-ordination of the Government, ministries, sectors and localities, businesses and the financial sector to overcome difficulties to accomplish tasks.

However, he also suggested the Government take stronger measures to promote domestic production and business, towards ensuring stability of State budget collection.

It is necessary to have solutions to collect unpaid tax debts, and strictly manage export-import activities to increase collection and arrears in the field, Hải stressed.

He mentioned outstanding issues concerning State budget spending, and pointed out that in some localities, regular budget spending has decreased slowly, while many localities are unable to balance the budget.

Notably, the disbursement of development investment resources remains sluggish, reaching only 49.1 per cent of the plan assigned by the Prime Minister, he said.

Hải said the committee agrees with the Government report on overspending evaluation and State budget balance in 2019, and the Government’s proposal of the State budget collection estimate for 2020, which is hoped to increase by 3.8 per cent.

NA deputies also commented on the State budget spending plan for 2020, and salary reform issues.

Hải said most agree to raise the basic salary to VNĐ1.6 million starting July next year, or a 7 per cent increase compared to the existing level, but others cautioned that raising too much could mean there’s little left for development.

NA’s Finance and Budget Committee also agreed with the Government’s proposal that the State budget deficit be kept at 3.44 per cent of the country’s GDP next year, in line with a NA resolution targeting a deficit of below 4 per cent of GDP for 2016-20.

Regarding public debt, the committee agreed with the Government report, which says that by the end of 2020, public debt is expected to stand at 54.3 per cent of GDP, while Government debt and the country’s foreign debts will be 48.5 per cent and 45.5 per cent of GDP, respectively.

The committee asked the Government make clear reports to the NA at this session on all debts related to the State budget. It also asked the Government to be cautious of risks related to liquidity, bond terms, deposit interest rates and debt rescheduling to ensure national financial security.