Resolution No. 01/2003/NQ-CP of the Government's regular meeting in December 2002

RESOLUTION

Regarding the regular meeting of the Government in December 2002

On December 30 and 31, 2002, the Government held its regular meeting for December 2002 to discuss and adopt the following issues:

1. The Government heard the Minister, Head of the Government Office, present the draft Regulation on the Operation of the Government (amended).

In recent times, the implementation of the Regulation on the Operation of the Government issued together with Decree No. 11/1998/NĐ-CP dated January 24, 1998 has had a positive impact on the entire administrative system of the State. The working style of the Government has become more systematic and effective. The guidance and management of the Government and the Prime Minister according to the work program have been comprehensive yet focused, promptly and flexibly addressing various situations. The coordination between the Government and Party agencies, the National Assembly, and social organizations has been carried out more systematically.

However, during the implementation of the Regulation, some weaknesses that need to be addressed have emerged, including unclear individual responsibilities, poor organization and supervision of the implementation of Party policies and State policies and administrative decisions, insufficient inter-ministerial coordination, weak administrative discipline, and inadequate information flow, which significantly limits the effectiveness of Government guidance and management. Many provisions of the current Regulation have revealed limitations and inconsistencies that require revision and supplementation to align with new circumstances.

Based on the objectives and requirements of the administrative reform program, to enhance the effectiveness of Government guidance and management, it is necessary to strongly implement improvements in working methods: clearly defining the responsibilities and authorities of the Government collective, the Prime Minister, and each member of the Government, emphasizing individual responsibility; improving the quality of Government meetings; ensuring that each matter is handled by a single leading agency responsible for it; properly managing inter-ministerial coordination, strengthening administrative discipline, and ensuring that the entire administrative system operates smoothly and effectively. The draft new Regulation on the Operation of the Government basically meets these requirements.

The Government agrees to adopt the draft Regulation on the Operation of the Government; instructs the Government Office to incorporate the opinions of Government members and participants, finalize the draft Regulation, and submit it to the Prime Minister for signature and issuance.

2The Government heard the Minister, Head of the Government Office, report on the review of Government guidance and management in 2002 and the Work Program for 2003; and heard the Minister of Planning and Investment report on the implementation of the plan in December, throughout 2002, and some key measures in the first quarter of 2003.

The year 2002 was a transitional year between two terms of the Government. Alongside fundamental advantages, the country faced many difficulties: shrinking capital markets and export markets, unfavorable fluctuations in world market prices, increasingly fierce international competition, natural disasters causing significant losses in certain regions... In this context, the Government closely followed the resolutions of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and the National Assembly, promoted unity, accurately identified priorities, combined the role of the leadership collective with the emphasis on individual responsibility, closely monitored the situation, summarized experiences, and promptly guided the implementation of many new economic and social policies and measures to maintain national security and defense, achieving positive and relatively comprehensive results. Most major targets of the 2002 plan were met or exceeded. The GDP growth rate for this year reached 7.04%.

However, Government guidance still lacked consistency and specificity regarding responsibilities; organizational implementation was weak, some matters lacked supervision and timely experience summary; information reporting was not adequately conducted.

The year 2003 is very important in the five-year plan from 2001 to 2005, the country faces new challenges. The Government and relevant sectors at all levels must have specific programs and plans to successfully implement the National Assembly's resolution on tasks for 2003. The plan should focus on measures to: accelerate structural transformation of the economy, reduce intermediary costs, enhance competitiveness of industries, enterprises, products, and the overall economy; improve the investment environment, mobilize all resources for development investment, increase efficiency, reduce waste in basic construction investment; promote administrative reform, continue to strengthen discipline, adjust the minimum wage and social allowances; innovate management mechanisms and improve cultural and social activities; strengthen foreign relations and ensure political security; intensify crime prevention and social evils, especially HIV/AIDS, drugs, prostitution, and traffic accidents...

The Government agrees to adopt the Report on the Review of Guidance and Management in 2002 and the Work Program for 2003; instructs the Government Office to incorporate the opinions of Government members, finalize the Report, and submit it to the Prime Minister before sending it to Ministries, sectors, and localities for implementation.

The Government requests that Ministries, sectors, provinces, and centrally-administered cities take the initiative to implement tasks from the beginning of the year. In the short term, they should urgently allocate plans to grassroots units, develop action programs to implement their 2003 tasks according to the National Assembly's Resolution; while also focusing on serving the people to celebrate the Lunar New Year (Tet) happily, safely, and thriftily; caring for production and living conditions, enhancing crime prevention and social evils, ensuring traffic safety, and alleviating traffic congestion, particularly during Tet.

3. The Government heard the Minister, Head of the Sports Committee, and Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the 22nd Southeast Asian Games (SEAGames 22) report on the preparation for SEAGames 22 in 2003.

Hosting the 22nd Southeast Asian Games in December 2003 provides us with an opportunity to create a good impression on regional and international friends about Vietnam's land and people, enhance the country's international standing, and encourage the national sports movement. Therefore, the Government requests the Sports Committee, the Ministries of Culture and Information, Construction, Transportation, Public Security, Hanoi City, Ho Chi Minh City, and other relevant ministries, sectors, and localities to coordinate and concentrate all efforts to ensure the success of the Games, first and foremost by properly preparing material and technical facilities for competition, ensuring absolute security and order, especially traffic safety; paying attention to food safety and environmental hygiene, organizing meticulous and enthusiastic services for participating teams and international guests with the highest quality, reflecting the cultural traditions and hospitality of the Vietnamese people.

The Sports Committee is tasked to lead and coordinate with the National Steering Committee and the Organizing Committee of the 22nd Southeast Asian Games and relevant ministries, sectors, and localities to develop a Directive on hosting the 22nd Southeast Asian Games to be submitted to the Prime Minister for issuance.

4The Government has reviewed the Interim Report on the Implementation Program of the Government's Resolution of the Third Plenary Session of the Central Committee of the Communist Party (Term IX) on continuing the restructuring, reforming, developing, and enhancing the efficiency of state-owned enterprises and tasks and measures to promote in 2003, presented by the Steering Committee for Enterprise Reform and Development.

Last year, there was a new shift in understanding among various sectors at all levels regarding this issue, and many efforts were made to implement the Government's Action Program. The Government has implemented revisions and supplements to many policies and solutions for restructuring, reforming, and enhancing the efficiency of state-owned enterprises; carried out shareholding and ownership transfer for state-owned enterprises that have been suffering losses for a long time and those where the State does not need to hold 100% capital; piloted the transformation of state-owned holding companies into parent companies - subsidiary models and converted state-owned enterprises with 100% state capital into limited liability companies with one member.

However, the restructuring, reforming, and development of state-owned enterprises, generally speaking, are still progressing slowly, with many enterprises still suffering losses and having low business efficiency. Ministries, sectors, and localities should make stronger progress in implementing the tasks and solutions determined in the Government's Action Program, improving efficiency, increasing competitiveness of state-owned enterprises, and successfully completing the goal of reforming and developing state-owned enterprises in accordance with the spirit of the Resolution of the Third Plenary Session of the Central Committee of the Communist Party (Term IX).