He said the socio-economic subcommittee, founded to help prepare for the congress slated for early 2021, has been tasked with building a document on the socio-economic development strategy for 2021-2030 and another on the socio-economic development plan for 2021-2025. The documents will set up strategic orientations for national development in the next decade.

Participants predicted that the global situation will be unpredictable in the next 10 years, especially impacts of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. 

They noted the most important issue is the human factor. State agencies’ management activities must be improved to boost economic development, while heads of each ministry, sector and locality must bear greater responsibility.

Vietnam holds advantages for developing tropical agriculture. Climate change will affect agriculture, but it also creates opportunities to restructure Vietnamese agriculture. Existing farming practices depend too much on natural freshwater sources. Therefore, as a large area of farmland is vulnerable to saltwater intrusion, the State should make orientations to help farmers change their practices.

Participants suggested further scientific and technological application and brand building so that Vietnam’s agricultural products will meet international standards and demand.

Priorities should also be given to developing coastal economic activities, tourism, services and urban areas, they said.

Appreciating the opinions, PM Phuc pointed out that the country is still facing numerous difficulties and it is now just a lower-income nation, while there are not many opportunities. 

He said an aspiration for development is a must, requesting stronger efforts so that Vietnam will have obtained fundamental improvements by the centenaries of the Party in 2030 and of the country in 2045.-VNA