No mindset of waiting for the 'transition'

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc made this clear when concluding the regular Government meeting in February 2021 this morning (March 2).

At the meeting, the Minister of Planning and Investment presented a supplementary assessment report on the implementation results of the 2020 Socio-Economic Development Plan. Accordingly, the main targets of 2020 assigned by the National Assembly were better implemented, with 10/12 main targets achieved and exceeded. Of which, 2 more targets were achieved and exceeded: The growth rate of total export turnover reached 7% (the reported number was about 1%); the unemployment rate of working-age workers in urban areas was 3.88% (the reported number was 4.39%) and 4 targets were performed better than the estimated number reported to the National Assembly.

Economic growth achieved better results, GDP growth rate reached 2.91%, economic scale reached 271.2 billion USD, per capita reached 2,779 USD (reported numbers were 261.9 billion USD and 2,715 USD respectively).

In a supplementary assessment of the results of the State budget implementation in 2020, the Ministry of Finance said that the total budget revenue reached more than 1.5 million billion VND, an increase of 158 trillion VND compared to the report to the National Assembly, a decrease of 31.2 trillion VND (-2%) compared to the estimate (equal to 16.5% of the expected revenue reduction reported to the National Assembly); the budget revenue mobilization rate reached 23.9% of GDP, with tax and fee revenue alone reaching about 19% of GDP.

The disbursement progress of investment capital in 2020 reached approximately 96.6% of the estimate decided by the National Assembly at the beginning of the year, reaching more than 97% of the plan assigned by the Prime Minister. About 81.2 trillion VND of domestic capital plan was transferred to 2021.

Concluding the meeting, the Prime Minister said that all macro indicators were better than the figures reported to the National Assembly, especially public debt, budget revenue and expenditure, reserves and major balances of the economy, and that we were successful in achieving the dual goals.

Recalling the assessment of General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong on 2020, a more successful year than 2019 and the most successful year in the past 5 years with special results and achievements, the Prime Minister said that this important achievement was thanks to the participation of the entire political system, the outstanding efforts of the business community and people nationwide, including the great contributions of the Government, members of the Government, ministries, branches and localities.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc expressed his gratitude to the members of the Government,leaders of agencies and localities, especially cadres, civil servants, and workers in the administrative system "have always made efforts, tried, inherited, and promoted the results of the previous term, devoted themselves throughout the past term with a very good sense of responsibility in all fields".

“Over the past 5 years, we have all been united, joined forces, and united, together with the Government, all levels, and all sectors, to well implement the goals, tasks, and solutions set out in all fields for the goal of a rich people, a strong country, and a democratic, equitable, and civilized society,” the Prime Minister expressed. In this term, there is no idea of ​​holding back, relying on others, or waiting during the transition period. We continue to organize and carry out tasks well; uphold the spirit of responsibility before the Party and the people, and “work until the last minute.” Therefore, this Government will continue to focus on implementing important and urgent tasks and transferring tasks to the new Government in accordance with the regulations of the Party, the State, and the law in the spirit of ensuring continuity, promoting publicity and transparency in both the transfer of tasks, work, and personnel work, and the arrangement and reorganization of the apparatus and personnel. “Once again, we are determined to work for the people.”

Regarding the socio-economic situation in the first two months of the year, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said that we continued to manage proactively, decisively, creatively, promptly and achieved positive results. The macro economy was stable, inflation was controlled, the monetary market, credit exchange rate, and basic interest rates were stable. Import and export continued to grow strongly, reaching double digits, with a trade surplus of 1.3 billion USD.

Vietnam's image and reputation in the world continue to be enhanced.

Sharing with industries facing deadlock

Regarding some key tasks in the coming time, the Prime Minister emphasized seizing opportunities and being determined to complete the tasks for the next 6 months as well as 2021. First of all, focusing on thoroughly understanding, studying and implementing the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress.

Second, continue to resolutely prevent and fight the COVID-19 epidemic in the spirit of "vaccine + 5K", if an outbreak appears, quickly trace and isolate the outbreak. The Prime Minister requested the health sector to quickly vaccinate people in accordance with the Politburo's opinions and the Government's Resolution. Continue to implement the dual goal of socio-economic development while controlling the epidemic well.

Expressing sympathy for the aviation, service, and tourism industries that are facing deadlocks, with some businesses temporarily suspending operations, the Prime Minister stated that it is necessary to overcome the difficulties of some businesses, especially those in the tourism, transportation, and retail service industries.

Accelerate the socio-economic recovery process, strive to achieve a growth rate of 6.5% as reported in the Government Resolution. Further improve the effectiveness of integration to promote exports and selectively attract quality FDI capital.

The opportunities for Vietnam are huge, the trend of capital flow into Vietnam is very clear. Therefore, there must be a good investment environment to attract it.

Besides promoting the role of State economic groups, it is necessary to promote private economic development and public investment, contributing to economic growth and creating a foundation for long-term development.

Disbursement of public investment capital is a very important task. The Prime Minister requested the Government Office to soon arrange an inspection to urge the disbursement of public investment as well as ODA capital.

Review and adjust current support packages and promptly propose a second support package to help businesses and people overcome difficulties. Nurturing economic development momentum and creating long-term revenue sources is the policy of fiscal and monetary policies. Especially promoting the strengths of pillars and growth locomotives, especially Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau, Da Nang, Can Tho and other key provinces in the Southeast. Strive to not let the Government owe any legal guidance documents before handing over.

The campaign to plant 1 billion trees, equivalent to 5 million hectares of forest in localities, needs to continue to be promoted. “Comrades in ministries and branches must do this well, especially relevant ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, must have a mechanism to launch it in localities,” said the Prime Minister.

Regarding preparations for the 11th session of the 14th National Assembly (scheduled from March 24 to April 7), the final session of the 14th National Assembly, focusing mainly on reviewing reports on the 2016-2021 tenure and personnel work, the Prime Minister requested relevant ministries and branches to urgently complete reports to send to the National Assembly and National Assembly deputies within the prescribed deadline.

At the meeting, Government members also listened to and discussed the results of implementing adjustments to the 2020 central budget public investment plan among ministries, central agencies and localities.

Accordingly, the total domestic central budget capital that has been allowed by the Prime Minister to be adjusted between ministries, central and local agencies is 576,851 billion VND.

According to the Prime Minister, this contributes significantly to increasing the disbursement rate and putting infrastructure projects into operation soon. This is a very necessary policy. The Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Planning and Investment to preside over the research, absorb opinions at the meeting, complete the report, and report to the National Assembly and the National Assembly on behalf of the National Assembly according to regulations.