Decision No. 01/2001/NQ-CP of the Government's regular monthly meeting in January 2001

RESOLUTION

Regular Meeting of the Government in January 2001

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On January 30 and 31, 2001, in Ho Chi Minh City, the Government convened its regular meeting for January 2001 to discuss and adopt the following issues:

1- The Government heard the Minister of Planning and Investment, Chairman of the State Project Appraisal Council, present the Report on the Appraisal of the Son La Hydropower Plant Project.

The construction of the Son La Hydropower Plant Project was initiated in the 1980s. During the research process, the Government provided many guiding opinions on the main issues of the project and submitted a preliminary report on investment preparation to the National Assembly, Session 9, Term X; the Prime Minister officially approved the feasibility study report of this project. Relevant Ministries and agencies have urgently studied, supplemented necessary files, and conducted appraisals. To date, the project file is basically complete with sufficient grounds for the Government to consider and decide on seeking the National Assembly's opinion on the investment policy.

The Government agrees to proceed with the construction of the Son La Hydropower Plant using primarily domestic investment capital; relocation will involve both within and outside the province where the project is located, with the requirement to create better living and production conditions for the people in the resettlement area...

The Minister of Planning and Investment, Chairman of the State Project Appraisal Council for the Son La Hydropower Plant Project, is tasked to lead and coordinate with relevant agencies to incorporate the opinions of Government members, finalize the project file, submit it to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision on presenting to the Politburo and National Assembly for approval of the investment policy; at the same time, preparations must be expedited to enable commencement of the project in 2004-2005.

2- The Government heard the General Director of the General Customs Department present the Draft Law on Customs; the Minister and Head of the Government Office reported the consolidated opinions of Government members on this draft law.

The General Customs Department is tasked to lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of Justice, the Government Office, and related agencies to incorporate the opinions of Government members, revise and perfect the draft resolution and the Draft Law on Customs, submit it to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision on presenting to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly and the National Assembly. In the process of perfecting this draft law, attention should be paid to clarifying the scope of regulation of the Law, the organization of the Customs sector, the determination of taxable value, and free trade zones; unnecessary contents should be removed from the draft law.

3- The Government heard the Minister and Head of the Government Office report on the situation during the Tet holiday of Year of the Goat (Tân Tỵ) and reviewed the Report of the Minister of Planning and Investment on the implementation of the January 2001 plan.

In January 2001, the extended Tet holiday had an impact on the country's economic and social situation. Industrial production maintained high growth rates and was evenly distributed across regions, with an estimated increase of 3.9% compared to the same period last year. Agricultural, forestry, and fisheries production proceeded relatively smoothly, with the harvest of summer rice and planting of winter-spring crops progressing faster than the previous year. Service industry saw significant growth, especially during the holiday season. Export turnover increased by 0.5% compared to the same period, with some export products increasing in quantity but still facing price difficulties. The allocation of the 2001 investment plan was well prepared and implemented earlier than in previous years. Budget revenue showed progress, increasing by 1% compared to the same period.

Ministries, sectors, and localities have generally implemented Directive No. 27/2000/CT-TTg, dated December 25, 2000, of the Prime Minister on organizing the Tet holiday of Year of the Goat (Tân Tỵ). Economic growth in 2000 created favorable conditions for most people to have higher incomes, coupled with effective stimulus measures, leading to increased consumer demand; production developed, goods were abundant and of better quality, basically meeting the needs of the people. Overseas compatriots returned home to celebrate Tet in greater numbers than in previous years. Many healthy tourism, entertainment, and recreational activities were organized nationwide. Cultural and social activities were carried out relatively well, particularly in health care, social policies, and care for war veterans, the poor, and disaster victims. Social security was ensured, creating conditions for all strata of the population to celebrate Tet happily and healthily in both material and spiritual life...

The Government requests that ministries, sectors, and localities, in the coming period, need to organize the implementation of the following tasks:

Urgently concretize the tasks and programs of work for 2001, which have been approved by the Government, into specific tasks and action programs of their own ministries, sectors, and localities; while also doing a good job in organizing the implementation of these tasks and programs; ensuring timely resolution of economic and social issues;

Complete the allocation of plans to grassroots units by the end of February 2001; at the same time, reform administrative procedures, accelerate the progress of implementing basic construction investment projects according to the planned schedule;

Continue to implement measures to mitigate the aftermath of natural disasters, stabilize agricultural production, and accelerate the progress of the winter-spring crop production;

Closely monitor international and domestic market prices, take reasonable stimulus measures, promote product sales, limit imports, and create conditions for the development of production and business by all economic sectors;

Implement effective measures to reduce traffic accidents, actively prevent and combat crime and social evils.

4- The Government reviewed the Report on Inspection Work, Complaint and Denunciation Resolution in the Fourth Quarter and 2000, presented by the State Inspectorate General.

The Government agrees to approve this Report and requests that ministries, sectors, and localities enhance inspection work, handle complaints and denunciations; resolve cases thoroughly at the grassroots level within their respective authorities and responsibilities; promptly study, supplement, and perfect necessary regulations to minimize overlapping and repetitive inspections of enterprises; strictly deal with officials who lack a sense of responsibility in their work, infringing upon the rights of citizens and businesses; prevent, detect, and promptly and severely handle acts that abuse democratic rights and violate the law; contributing to creating a favorable environment for economic and social development, stability, and improvement of people's living standards./.