The National Assembly discussed in the hall about approving the state budget settlement.

The National Assembly discussed in the hall the approval of the 2022 state budget settlement (including the implementation of regulations in Resolution No. 91/2023/QH15 on approval of the 2021 state budget settlement and Resolution No. 94/2019/QH14 on tax debt relief, late payment penalty debt relief, and late payment interest for taxpayers who are no longer able to pay the state budget).

Delegates assessed that the state budget settlement in 2022 has many positive changes compared to previous years, and highly appreciated the Government's efforts in the context of many difficulties and challenges at home and abroad, but the budget revenue exceeded the estimate by 28.8%. Budget expenditure basically ensures the implementation of state tasks, regular expenditure is equal to 59% of total state budget expenditure, budget deficit is lower than the estimate assigned by the National Assembly, public debt is within the allowable limit, and budget revenue and expenditure discipline has been gradually improved.

Delegates also requested the Government to overcome the situation of late preparation and submission of final settlement reports; at the same time, overcome the shortcomings and limitations in budget management and use such as: inaccurate estimates of revenue and expenditure and budget preparation, cancellation of budgets, large year-end source transfers with an increasing trend, and under-calculation of taxes and fees. Disbursement of public investment capital and outstanding debts for basic construction are still high at the local level, and capital for national target programs is slow. There is still a situation of misuse of funding sources, improper spending, overdue advances, and unrecovered budget advances.

Delegates also requested to clarify the responsibilities of violating organizations and individuals; propose specific and practical solutions to ensure discipline and order in the State budget, improve the effectiveness of State budget settlement management; proactively control and respond to risks, ensure State budget balance, public debt overspending; save, fight waste and negativity in State budget management and use. Some delegates were interested in proposing to soon amend a number of contents of the State Budget Law to continue to innovate State budget management and State financial reporting.

Through discussion and synthesis, it can be seen that many opinions of the National Assembly Deputies agree on allowing the settlement of two data contents that the auditing agency proposed the National Assembly to allow the settlement according to the proposal of the Government and the State Audit.

Minister of Finance Ho Duc Phoc explained and clarified a number of issues raised by National Assembly deputies in the hall.

Next, the National Assembly discussed in the hall the draft Resolution of the National Assembly on the organization of urban government and piloting a number of specific mechanisms and policies for the development of Da Nang city.

Basically, opinions agreed to issue a Resolution of the National Assembly to amend and supplement Resolution No. 119/2020/QH14 on the development of Da Nang city to achieve the goals set out in the Resolutions of the Central Committee; contribute to strengthening financial resources, autonomy mechanisms and creating a legal basis to promote potentials and advantages, create breakthroughs in socio-economic development, build Da Nang into a civilized and modern city, a seaport city, an international urban area, developing not only Da Nang but also promoting the spread of development in the Central Highlands region.

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung explained and clarified a number of issues raised by National Assembly deputies.

On the same afternoon, the National Assembly listened to the presentation and examination report on the draft Law on Prevention and Combat of Human Trafficking (amended); and discussed in the hall the National Marine Spatial Planning for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050.