Prime Minister: Urgently and resolutely implement policies so that people and businesses can enjoy early and truly.

Morning of April 29,Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhchaired the regular Government meeting in April 2022. The Government focused on discussing the socio-economic development situation in April and the first 4 months of the year, key directions and tasks in May and the coming time, along with a number of other important contents.

Government members unanimously assessed that in April, the whole country continued to resolutely implement the Comprehensive Program for COVID-19 Prevention and Control and the Program for Socio-Economic Recovery and Development. Continuing the positive momentum of the first quarter, ministries, branches and localities promoted the effective implementation of key tasks and solutions in the programs, plans and arising work. Thanks to that, the socio-economic situation in April and the first four months of the year continued to improve in most areas, many areas reaching better levels than in the years before the pandemic.

The epidemic has been controlled with the number of new cases, severe cases, and deaths decreasing sharply since the end of March, clearly demonstrating the correctness of the policies and measures to prevent and control the epidemic, strengthening the trust and peace of mind of people and businesses to focus on recovering and developing the socio-economy in the coming time.

Also at the meeting, the Prime Minister expressed concern over the many tragic cases of child suicide and drowning; requested that relevant agencies research and soon find solutions to the situation of drowning and suicide in children, especially measures for school psychological counseling; and that the media should also pay more attention to this issue.

According to Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, the figures in all three sectors of industry, export and consumption all show very positive signals, in which the trade surplus reached about 2.53 billion USD, showing that the production capacity of the economy has strongly recovered, basically reaching the set target, the domestic market has also shown signs of recovery. The Minister also clearly stated solutions to ensure major balances in gasoline, electricity... in the coming time.

Minister Tran Hong Ha said that the Government's policy response capability is extremely important and this has been done well in the past, typically the timely directions and management of the Government and Prime Minister related to the capital market.

On the other hand, it is very important that field surveys, such as the Prime Minister's recent local working trips, have discovered many untapped resources and potentials, projects facing obstacles and delays, as well as general policy issues... to resolve and handle.

According to SBV Governor Nguyen Thi Hong, in 2022, credit growth is expected to be around 14%. Credit accelerated significantly in March and April, with credit growth reaching 6.75% as of April 25 compared to the end of 2021, showing the huge credit demand of the economy in the context of strong recovery. This poses a problem for the SBV to manage monetary policy in the last months of the year, both meeting the credit demand of the economy and not being subjective about inflation, maintaining macroeconomic stability.

Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The said that so far, the Ministry has allocated 42,000 billion VND out of the total capital of about 50,000 billion VND of public investment allocated in 2022. Of which, about 10,000 billion VND has been disbursed, and key projects in the transport sector have relatively ensured the set progress.

Minister of Public Security To Lam emphasized the spirit of strictly handling corruption and negative cases but not allowing them to affect the healthy and sustainable development of the capital market.

In his concluding remarks, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that April had difficulties and challenges such as inflationary pressure in many countries, many of which are Vietnam's major markets, slowing growth, rising raw material prices and input costs, impacts from the situation in Ukraine, and unusual floods in the Central region, etc.

However, following the development momentum of the first quarter, the socio-economic situation in April continued to improve in most areas. International organizations such as the WB, IMF, and ADB gave positive assessments and forecasts for Vietnam's economy.

Macroeconomic stability continues to be maintained; inflation is controlled in the context of many pressures; some violations are promptly handled so that the capital market can develop safely, transparently, effectively and sustainably.

Major balances were ensured. State budget revenue was estimated at 45.7% of the estimate, up 13.3% over the same period, with more sustainable revenue from production and business activities. Exports in the first 4 months increased by 16.4%, imports increased by 15.7%, with a trade surplus of about 2.5 billion USD. Energy and food security were ensured, with more than 2 million tons of rice exported at higher value. The labor market recovered strongly, basically meeting the labor demand for production and business.

Industrial production recovered strongly, increasing by 9.4% in April compared to the same period last year; the total increase in the first 4 months was 7.5%. Of which, the processing and manufacturing industry increased by 11.3%, higher than the growth rates of 5.8% and 9.6% in the same period in 2018 and 2019, the years before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Agricultural, forestry and fishery production achieved positive results; the market for agricultural, forestry and fishery products was opened and expanded. Aquatic product output in April was estimated at 736.4 thousand tons, up 2.6% over the same period last year.

Trade and service activities were more vibrant. Total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue increased by 12.1% over the same period; in the first 4 months, it increased by 6.5% over the same period last year. Tourism recovered strongly; international visitors in April increased by 2.4 times over the same period; in the first 4 months, it increased by 184.7%.

FDI capital realized in 4 months reached 5.92 billion USD (the highest level since 2018), up 7.6%. The number of newly registered enterprises increased to the highest level ever with more than 15 thousand enterprises; in 4 months, the number of newly established enterprises increased by 12.3%, the number of enterprises returning to operation increased by 60.6%, the total additional registered capital increased by 39.4% over the same period.

Along with that, social security is ensured, people's lives are improved. Activities to care for policy beneficiaries and the poor are actively, thoughtfully, effectively and economically implemented, including support packages due to the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic reaching VND 80,998 billion for 728,319 employers, over 49.52 million employees and other subjects.

National defense and security were maintained; social order and safety raised many issues but were ensured; foreign affairs were promoted.

Anti-corruption work is directed strongly with relatively systematic coordination between agencies in the political system and is effective in practice.

"We handle violations to develop. If we want to develop, we must handle violations openly, transparently, democratically, and ensure fairness in production and business," the Prime Minister emphasized.

We also continue to actively handle the backlog of weak banks and loss-making projects. The Prime Minister said that recently, some new tasks have emerged that need to be handled and if not handled quickly, will cause serious consequences, such as the Long Phu 1 Thermal Power Plant, which is behind schedule...

Communication work is coordinated and implemented more effectively by agencies with many discussions on mass media, focusing on information and instructions on epidemic prevention and helping people better understand the law.

Institutional building work continues to receive attention to concretize the Party's policies and guidelines, conclusions and resolutions of the Politburo, Secretariat, National Assembly, and directions of the Government and Prime Minister.

"Overall, the results achieved in April are encouraging, positive, creating confidence and a basis for achieving the goals of the remaining months and the whole year of 2022. These results were achieved thanks to the leadership of the Central Committee, the Politburo, the Secretariat, headed by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong; the management and operation of state agencies, including the National Assembly, the Government, ministries and branches; the participation of the entire political system; the consensus and support of the people and businesses; and the support of friends and international partners," the Prime Minister said.

However, the Prime Minister also made it clear that we must not be subjective, negligent, "not rest on our laurels" as instructed by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, and must continue to review work to continue on the journey, successfully implement the work program of 2022, contributing to the successful implementation of the 5-year plan.

The Prime Minister noted a number of existing problems and limitations such as the macro-economy still has potential risks, high inflationary pressure, and bad debt tends to increase. The recovery is uneven, and some places are not resolute in implementing the economic and social recovery and development program. Disbursement of public investment is still slow. Newly registered FDI capital is not high.

Along with that, the lives of a part of the people are still difficult, especially in remote areas. Social order and safety have many potential risks, especially cyber security. The conflict in Ukraine continues to impact Vietnam. The real estate, bond and property markets need to continue to be closely monitored.

Regarding the key tasks and solutions in the coming months, the Prime Minister requested that Ministers, heads of sectors, and Chairmen of local People's Committees focus on drastically implementing resolutions, conclusions, and directions of the Central Committee, the Politburo, the Secretariat, key leaders, the National Assembly, and the Government, including Resolutions 01, 02, Resolution 11 on the socio-economic recovery and development program, Resolution 38 on the Government's COVID-19 prevention and control program; closely follow the situation, proactively resolve arising issues according to their functions, tasks, and powers.

Regarding specific tasks, the Prime Minister requested to continue to consistently maintain macroeconomic stability, control inflation, ensure major balances, and promptly handle emerging issues that may impact the macroeconomy. The Prime Minister assigned Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai to directly direct this work, and the Governor of the State Bank and the Minister of Finance to coordinate in proactively and flexibly managing monetary and fiscal policies.

Policies to support people and businesses must be implemented quickly, correctly and sufficiently, so that people and businesses can enjoy them early and truly, contributing to improving the business environment and the material and spiritual life of the people. Effectively implement policies to support loan interest rates for businesses, cooperatives and business households; extend tax payment deadlines; implement solutions to ensure publicity and transparency for the bond, stock and real estate markets.

Continue to resolve institutional, mechanism and policy issues, promptly report to competent authorities to handle difficulties and problems. The Prime Minister noted the spirit of "decentralized power but concentrated resources", promoting the initiative and creativity of all levels and sectors, and strengthening supervision and inspection.

More urgently and resolutely focus on directing the synchronous and effective implementation of the main tasks and solutions set out in the Recovery and Development Program. Establish a Steering Committee for the implementation of the Socio-Economic Recovery and Development Program, headed by Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai, to direct and promote the implementation of the Program's tasks, ensuring progress and quality according to the Resolutions of the National Assembly, the Government, and the direction of the Prime Minister. At the same time, establish a Working Group headed by Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam to urge and support the Ministry of Health in implementing the Socio-Economic Recovery and Development Program in the health sector.

Along with that, establish 6 Working Groups of the Prime Minister headed by Deputy Prime Ministers, Minister of Planning and Investment, Minister of Finance to urge, inspect, promote the allocation and disbursement of public investment capital; promptly propose to the Prime Minister effective and feasible solutions to thoroughly overcome the shortcomings and limitations in the past time.

Effectively reopen tourism activities under new normal conditions, ensuring security and safety, improving the quality of services for tourists, especially during the April 30 and May 1 holidays, speeding up the recovery of tourism. Procedures must be smooth for tourists while controlling the epidemic.

Continue to review and implement tasks to ensure social security and people's lives. Prepare and ensure that people have a happy and healthy 30/4-1/5 holiday, ensuring traffic safety and disease safety.

Prepare to organize the 2022 high school graduation exam and university and college entrance exams to ensure safety, seriousness, quality, and pay attention to collecting public opinions; complete the Education Development Strategy for the 2021-2030 period and vision to 2045; build the Framework for the University Education Development Strategy for the 2021-2030 period.

Urgently complete the preparation work, organize the 31st SEA Games successfully, effectively, economically, ensuring the noble sportsmanship spirit, contributing to promoting the image of Vietnam in the region and the world.

Focus on performing well the tasks of national defense, security, social order and safety early and from afar, and foreign affairs and international integration. Strengthen inspection of state management, anti-corruption and negativity; thoroughly resolve complicated, pending and prolonged complaints and denunciations.

Ministries and sectors are assigned to carefully prepare the contents of projects, submissions and reports for the 5th Central Conference of the 13th tenure, Politburo meetings and the 3rd Session of the 15th National Assembly; develop and complete to ensure the quality and progress of decrees on the organization and apparatus of agencies. The Government Inspectorate develops action programs for the Government and local authorities on preventing corruption and negativity.

The Prime Minister requested to be proactive and carry out communication work well, not to let communication crises happen, and to increase the organization of seminars on key leadership, direction, and administration of the Party, State, National Assembly, and Government.

Regarding epidemic prevention, the Prime Minister stated that in recent times, epidemic prevention work nationwide has been getting better and better. We continue to vaccinate people aged 18 and over, especially high-risk groups, basically completing the third vaccination for people aged 12-18, and widely deploying vaccination for children aged 5-11.

The Prime Minister assigned Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam to continue to directly direct the Ministry of Health and localities to implement the vaccination program to achieve the goals set by the Government, ensuring safety, science, efficiency, and suitability to the situation.

At the same time, all levels and sectors must not be negligent or subjective about the epidemic, closely follow the actual situation, continue to pay attention to and resolutely direct epidemic prevention work in the context of Vietnam's economy being highly open, the country has opened up, the epidemic is still complicated in many countries and there is a risk of new strains appearing.