Big events preparing for the breakthrough year 2019

Taking place right after the regular Government meeting on December 27 and right before the New Year, the Conference aimed to deploy the socio-economic development plan and state budget estimate for 2019, after a year of 2018 with comprehensive results in all fields under the leadership of the Party, headed by General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong, along with the great efforts and determination of the entire political system, business community and people nationwide.

The outstanding and comprehensive result is the GDP growth reaching a record level, estimated at 7%, the highest in the past 10 years and also higher than all forecasts. Many other records were also set, such as foreign exchange reserves, exports, trade surplus... Notably, despite high growth, Vietnam still maintains macroeconomic stability by keeping the CPI target, reducing the budget deficit, and stabilizing the stock market.

With the results achieved in the pivotal year of 2018, the country's situation in all fields of economy, culture, society, environment, national defense, security, and foreign affairs in the three years 2016 - 2018 developed in the right direction, with clearer changes than the previous period.

Accordingly, the economic scale increased by 1.3 times, GDP per capita increased by 440 USD compared to the beginning of the term; people's lives have been constantly improved. It is forecasted that we will achieve the 5-year plan targets 2016 - 2020 set by the Resolution of the 12th Party Congress and the Resolution of the National Assembly, of which 11 targets have been achieved and exceeded so far.

In implementing the tasks of 2019, the Government has identified the spirit of breakthrough, daring to think, daring to do, innovation, creativity, determination, action, serving the people, demonstrating the strong aspiration to rise and creating a spread of the aspiration for a strong Vietnam to the business community and each citizen; at the same time, proposing and identifying key solutions in 2019 associated with specific targets, higher than in 2018.

The Government has also identified major groups of solutions for 2019: Continuing to consolidate the macro foundation, control inflation, improve the investment and business environment, promote economic growth; synchronously and drastically implement strategic breakthroughs; create clear changes in restructuring the economy, renewing the growth model, improving productivity, quality, efficiency and competitiveness.

Along with that, cultural and social development must be in harmony with economic development, improving people's material and spiritual life; rectifying the management of natural resources and environment; proactively preventing natural disasters and responding to climate change.

At the same time, continue to perfect the legal system, improve enforcement efficiency; strongly reform administrative procedures; strengthen inspection work, resolve complaints and denunciations; resolutely fight corruption and waste.

Strengthening national defense and security potential; ensuring social order and safety; improving the effectiveness of foreign affairs and international integration; doing better in information and communication work, creating social consensus, trust and national aspirations.

The implementation of tasks in 2019 is of utmost importance. Chairing meetings on the development of Resolution 01 - the "backbone" resolution for 2019, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc emphasized the spirit of "breakthrough" in 2019 - a pivotal and sprint year for the implementation of the 5-year Plan 2016-2020 and the 10-year Strategy 2011-2020.

Not only that, at many recent events, the Head of Government has mentioned longer-term goals and visions. Accordingly, with a growth rate similar to the average growth rate of the past 3 decades, by 2045 - the historical milestone of 100 years of national independence (1945 - 2045), our country's GDP is estimated to reach about 2,500 billion USD, with an average income per capita of nearly 18,000 USD.

The requirements and tasks set forth require us to continue to innovate our thinking, ways of thinking and ways of doing things, create determination for the entire political system, promote the great national unity bloc, and effectively implement all policies and guidelines of the Party. This becomes even more urgent when international competition is increasingly fierce, and our economy has been and is integrating deeply and widely at an unprecedented level.

The need for innovation in thinking and perception is even more urgent when the wave of breakthrough technology is born and spreading globally, becoming a revolutionary trend. If middle-income countries know how to take advantage of opportunities and access new technology, they will soon overcome the boundaries of development levels and narrow the gap between rich and poor. According to the Prime Minister, Vietnam is at a stage where new impetus is needed for development. We cannot stand aside and are not allowed to be left behind in this era of industrial revolution.

Speaking before the National Assembly, the Prime Minister also made a comparison: "A flock of birds wanting to fly fast is not only decided by the leader bird but also depends on the last bird of the flock". At the same time, "the flock of birds will fly much faster if all the last birds of the flock share the same aspiration, surpass themselves, fly even faster to have the opportunity to join the leading group". For our country, if all 63 provinces, ministries, branches and the entire political system share that aspiration, in all circumstances, on every stage of the country's development, then surely Vietnam will take a very long step towards the path of prosperity, standing shoulder to shoulder with the world powers.

When elected by the National Assembly to the position of Head of State, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong emphasized: Our country has never had such a foundation, potential and position as today; but the country is also facing great difficulties, the world situation is unpredictable; we are happy with the great achievements and results but absolutely must not be subjective, complacent, must not be too intoxicated with victory, and must not rest on our laurels.The General Secretary and President also mentioned the need for close coordination and high solidarity and unity.

Taking place right before the New Year, the Government Conference with localities is an important event to review achievements, results, difficulties, limitations, draw lessons, identify and deploy tasks and solutions for 2019.

With the spirit of not being subjective or complacent, correctly assessing the situation, strengthening unity, high determination, and taking drastic actions, the Conference will contribute to spreading new spirit and determination to all levels and sectors to implement tasks right from the first day and month of a breakthrough year, thereby realizing development aspirations.