Details of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc's response to questions

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc is directly answering questions from National Assembly deputies.

The National Assembly devoted the entire afternoon session of November 18 to questioning Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, with content spanning many areas, from building an independent and self-reliant economy; prospects for participating in the TPP Agreement without the United States; limitations of BOT projects; to anti-corruption work...

"Not satisfied with the management"

Delegate Le Thanh Van - Standing Member of the Finance and Budget Committee, raised the question "Is the Prime Minister satisfied with his direction and management?".

"This is a tricky question," the Prime Minister said, and the camera showed delegate Van smiling and sharing with the head of government.

According to the Prime Minister, the results achieved in the past year, with 13 targets completed and exceeded as set by the National Assembly, were thanks to the efforts of the entire political system and the people. The Government recognizes that these are only initial results; while the Vietnamese economy is still small in scale and resources are limited.

"When asked if I am satisfied, I think I am not satisfied. If all cadres across the country do their best, the results will certainly be better. The delegate asked what is the biggest concern? The Party has long recognized that it is lagging behind; peaceful evolution; corruption; the state of degradation that causes "hot above, cold below", a number of cadres are corrupt and distant from the people," the Prime Minister said, affirming that the Government will continue to act, create, and be honest to serve the people; remove bottlenecks in infrastructure, human resources...

Delegate Le Thanh Van also asked about the handling of corruption and gambling cases. The Prime Minister stated that the Party and State will not allow corruption, negative cases, cheating, and gambling cases to be buried.

"There are no forbidden zones in dealing with corruption. The executive system coordinates with the judiciary and all levels of sectors to strictly handle violations in accordance with the law, promptly and publicly," said the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc asked businesses to "say no to bribery". Photo: QH

"I suggest that private enterprises say no to bribery"

Regarding private economic development, the Prime Minister said that solutions to improve the investment and business environment and protect businesses operating in accordance with the law are very necessary; along with that, supporting investors to reduce costs and avoid overlapping inspections...

"I suggest that private enterprises say no to bribery at all levels and sectors. The Government and authorities at all levels need to create space for the private economy to develop, specifically allowing the private sector to participate in equitization of state-owned enterprises, cooperation and association...", the Prime Minister emphasized.

The head of the Government also said that it is necessary to transform small individual businesses, about 3.5-4 million households, into small and medium private economic sectors.

According to him, private enterprises that want to develop sustainably must build corporate culture, business ethics, and improve management capacity to avoid leaving the market early.

"The Government currently has an action program to develop the private economy," said the Prime Minister.

"An independent, self-reliant economy does not mean producing everything itself"

Delegate Nguyen Sy Cuong - Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, raised questions about the independence and autonomy of Vietnam's economy.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc commented that this is a good and necessary question. Quoting President Ho Chi Minh's saying that "nothing is more precious than independence and freedom", the Prime Minister said that in the integration period, economic independence and autonomy are very necessary to avoid dependence on other countries.

According to the Government leader, an independent and self-reliant economy must have high competitiveness; not too outdated technology; and be able to resolve major balances in international payments, budget revenue and expenditure, and import and export.

"An independent and self-reliant economy will be less vulnerable in integration and will adapt quickly to international fluctuations. Therefore, Vietnam advocates and implements the diversification of products and markets; not being too dependent on one market, one partner, or one product, which would make it vulnerable to attack," said the Prime Minister.

Currently, Vietnam has trade relations with over 230 countries and territories, with 25 export items worth over one billion USD per year; attracting 40,000 FDI projects with 230 billion USD in registered investment...

"Independence and autonomy do not mean producing everything yourself, the main thing is to take advantage of strengths to promote efficiency," the Prime Minister emphasized.

TPP without the US, Vietnam still participates because of many benefits

Responding to delegates' concerns about the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the Prime Minister said that implementing the Party Central Committee's policy, Vietnam has joined TPP 12, including the US. When the US withdrew from TPP, the Politburo considered the Government's proposal and agreed to let the negotiating team discuss with TPP 11 countries.

"The US is a large economy, but Australia, Japan, Mexico... are also not small economies that Vietnam needs to strengthen cooperation, investment and trade exchanges with," he said.

The Government leader emphasized that the trend of free trade and economic integration is irreversible. Without the US, Vietnam still benefits, so it should continue to participate to solve employment and import and export issues.

"We will actively discuss with other countries and soon conclude negotiations on the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP); promote, soon sign and ratify the FTA with the European Union (EU) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)," he said.

In addition, there is a bilateral trade agreement between Vietnam and the US, which continues to be implemented on the basis of mutual benefit.

The question-and-answer session with the head of government ended with 23 delegates raising questions and receiving direct answers; 4 debates; 25 other delegates will be given written answers due to time running out.

According to VNE