The Government issued Resolution No. 51/NQ-CP on July 2, which outlines the recommendations of the Cabinet’s regular meeting in June, requesting ministries, agencies and localities to continue their hard work in order to achieve this year’s annual goals.

The State Bank of Vietnam was asked to continue stabilising interest rates and promote credit growth, especially credit investments in production and business.

The Ministry of Finance is responsible for keeping a close watch on price fluctuations, contributing to macro-economic stability and curbing inflation.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will work to maintain industrial growth, with an emphasis on increasing crude oil production, attracting investment in support industries, enhancing trade promotion and expanding export markets for industrial products.

The resolution calls upon the Ministry of Construction to identify solutions to the difficulties faced by the real estate sector and implement strategies on social housing.

Agricultural restructuring plans and programmes on building new-style rural areas will be carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The agency will be responsible for promoting the consumption of farm produce and seeking export markets, especially for seafood and fruit.

The Ministry of Public Health needs to intensify its supervision of dangerous diseases and proactively outline prevention strategies. It was also asked to pay attention to improving public health care services.

The Government also requested ministries, localities, economic actors and State-run companies to implement the State-owned enterprises restructuring plan by 2015.

Vietnam Fatherland Front leader meets Italian Foreign Minister

President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Nguyen Thien Nhan met with Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni on July 1 during his visit to Italy.

At the meeting, the two sides spoke highly of the traditional relationship between Vietnam and Italy, which has been nurtured by the two countries’ leaders and people over decades.

Both sides expressed delight at the progress made in trade and investment between the two nations, though noted the relations are still below their potential.

They agreed to work closely together to boost two-way trade and Italian investment in Vietnam.

Gentiloni affirmed his support for an early conclusion of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement as well as recognition of Vietnam as a market economy.

The FM appreciated Vietnam’s joining of the Milan Expo with a pavilion made of bamboo, one of the fair’s highlights.

Italy has developed strong cooperative systems in agriculture, construction, finance and services suitable for sharing experience and expertise with Vietnam, he added.

He also expressed willingness to assist Vietnam in developing small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

VNA