Prime Minister: 'The procedure for selling chickens takes longer than raising them'

Government leaders have instructed ministries and agencies to quickly eliminate "sub-licenses and related permits" that are hindering and causing difficulties for businesses.

Proposals to remove nearly 2,000 business conditions that are 'tying down' enterprises.

On the morning of August 30, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chaired the regular Government meeting for August 2017.

Citing the report of the Ministry of Planning and Investment at the meeting, the Prime Minister noted that the socio-economic situation in August showed many positive developments. Inflation continued to be controlled; export turnover increased by approximately 18%. Total newly registered FDI capital and capital contributions in the first eight months of the year are estimated at 23.36 billion USD, an increase of 45.1% compared to the same period last year.

However, there are still some shortcomings and weaknesses that need to be addressed, such as investment capital disbursement and product consumption, with many businesses still facing difficulties. Many businesses report that the product manufacturing cycle is already arduous, but the procedures for bringing the products into consumption and export are even more complicated.

"Some argue that raising chickens only takes 40 days, but the procedures for selling and exporting chickens are even more complicated and time-consuming than raising them," the Prime Minister said, and requested a focus on removing bureaucratic hurdles, especially addressing and resolving "sub-licenses and related permits."

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has instructed ministries and agencies to quickly eliminate "sub-licenses and related permits" that are hindering and causing difficulties for businesses. (Photo: VGP)

Furthermore, the burden of taxes and fees continues to weigh heavily on businesses, causing frustration. According to statistics, businesses have to pay up to 70 different types of transportation fees; the percentage of shipments subject to specialized inspection reaches 30%, with the goal of reducing it by half, but the shift in some ministries and sectors remains very slow.

"The issue of administrative procedure reform has been discussed many times over the past year, especially in July, when this issue was addressed very vigorously, but only a part has been reduced, and many parts, sectors, and units have not yet changed," the Prime Minister lamented, and requested that the Ministers propose specific solutions, truly getting involved to promote, remove difficulties, build social trust, and contribute to growth.

According to the agenda, at this session the Government will hear a summary report from the Minister of Finance on the implementation of the State budget in 2017, the budget estimate for 2018, the draft three-year State financial and budget plan for 2018-2020, and the allocation of the central budget for 2018; the Ministry of Industry and Trade will present a thematic report on specific mechanisms and policies to ensure the progress of investment and construction of urgent power projects in the national power development plan...

According to VNE