Resolution No. 01/2005/NQ-CP On Main Measures to Guide the Implementation of the Socio-Economic Plan and State Budget for 2005

RESOLUTION OF THE GOVERNMENT
On several key solutions to guide the implementation of the plan for economic and social development and state budget in 2005
The year 2005 is the final year and plays a decisive role in implementing the Resolution of the Ninth National Party Congress and Resolution No. 55/2001/QH10 of the National Assembly on the five-year socio-economic development plan from 2001 to 2005. To implement the Resolutions of the Eleventh National Assembly, Sixth Session regarding tasks for socio-economic development and the state budget estimate for 2005, the Government proposes several key solutions that need to be focused on guiding and managing in 2005 as follows:

I. CONTINUE IMPROVING THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT AND STRONGLY PROMOTING ECONOMIC GROWTH BOTH IN TERMS OF SPEED AND QUALITY

A.

Continue improving the business environment, creating conditions to promote economic units to enhance efficiency and competitiveness 1. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Ministry of Finance shall complete the guiding documents for the implementation of the Government's Decrees detailing the Law on Land within the first quarter of 2005.

2. People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities (hereinafter referred to as provincial People's Committees) shall accelerate the progress of issuing certificates of land use rights, with a focus on residential land in urban areas and production forest land; striving to complete the issuance of certificates of land use rights by the end of 2005.

3. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall direct and coordinate with localities to complete the land inventory throughout the country, complete the land use planning and plans up to 2010; intensify land clearance work, resolutely reclaim unused or inefficiently used land areas according to the provisions of the law to ensure the demand for land of investment projects. Every six months, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall compile and report to the Government on the results of this policy.

4. The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall submit to the Government in the third quarter of 2005 draft laws on Enterprises and Investment applicable to all types of enterprises in the domestic economy and foreign-invested enterprises.

5. The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall submit to the Government in the first quarter of 2005 a proposal to strengthen the attraction of foreign direct investment, aiming to align investment registration procedures with the schedule of commitments under international economic integration agreements of Vietnam, expanding decentralization and delegation of authority for investment licensing and management to provincial People's Committees.

6. The Ministry of Finance shall take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Trade, and the General Statistics Office to intensify the analysis and forecasting of market price trends; proactively handle matters within their authority or submit them for approval.

7. State-owned corporations must actively ensure production reserves and circulation reserves to increase their ability to participate in regulating supply and demand, contributing to timely responses when there are sudden price fluctuations.

8. Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and government agencies (hereinafter referred to as ministries) shall review, supplement, amend, and promulish regulations on the development and opening of services for various economic sectors domestically and foreign enterprises in the first quarter of 2005, ensuring compliance with international commitments signed with ASEAN, the United States, the EU, Japan, etc. In cases exceeding their authority, they shall submit to the Government for decision no later than the second quarter of 2005.

9. The Ministry of Finance shall coordinate with relevant ministries to submit to the Government in the first quarter of 2005 a proposal to shift the operation of education, healthcare, culture, sports, and physical training activities towards a service mechanism consistent with a socialist-oriented market economy.

10. Ministries and People's Committees at all levels shall create favorable conditions in terms of land for production, access to market information, trade promotion, etc., to strongly develop enterprises, especially private enterprises, contributing to promoting economic growth and job creation as set out by the National Assembly.

11. The Ministry of Finance, together with the Ministries of Trade, Transport, Industry, Posts and Telecommunications, Science and Technology, and Foreign Affairs, shall urgently review each type of fee and tax to abolish those fees and taxes established by agencies and enterprises in violation of the law; immediately reduce high input service costs; lower transportation and storage fees at seaports, airports, and related activities associated with the implementation of the APEC Action Plan until 2006.

12. The Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Public Security, and the Ministry of Finance shall carry out reviews and amendments to regulations on business registration, stamping, tax identification number issuance, and invoice sales; rationalize the organizational implementation process so that by the end of 2005, the maximum time allocated for these tasks does not exceed 15 days.

B. STRONGLY DEVELOP SYNCHRONOUS MARKETS AND TRANSITION ACTIVITIES FROM PRODUCTION AND BUSINESS TO A MARKET MECHANISM

1. The Ministry of Construction and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall urgently develop a draft Law on Real Estate Business, report to the Government to submit to the National Assembly in the second quarter of 2005.

2. The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs shall submit to the Government in the first quarter of 2005 amendments and supplements to regulations on labor use, aiming to expand the rights of enterprises in hiring labor, particularly foreign labor.

3. The Posts and Telecommunications Ministry shall study and submit to the Government or promulish within its authority in the second quarter of 2005 regulations on trunk telecommunications network operations, requiring separate accounting for tariffs and connection management to prevent discriminatory treatment of enterprises outside the Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Corporation when using services on the national trunk communication network.

4. The Ministry of Science and Technology shall complete the proposal for developing the science and technology market, submit to the Government in the first quarter of 2005.

5. The Ministry of Finance shall conduct a summary and evaluation of five years of concentrated securities market operations in the third quarter of 2005, submit to the Government a proposal for the development of the securities market for the period 2006-2010 in line with the overall proposal for the completion and development of the capital market and money market in Vietnam.

5. The Ministry of Finance shall summarize and evaluate the five-year operation of the concentrated securities market in the third quarter of 2005, and submit to the Government a project on developing the securities market for the period from 2006 to 2010, consistent with the overall project on improving and developing the capital and money markets in Vietnam.

6. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall submit to the Government in the second quarter of 2005 measures to promote the forms of linkage among the four entities (farmers - businesses - scientists - state) through signing production and marketing contracts for agricultural products pursuant to Decision No. 80/2002/QĐ-TTg dated June 24, 2002 of the Prime Minister; at the same time, propose binding clauses and sanctions to effectively resolve disputes arising from contractual linkages.        C.

Promote capital mobilization from all economic sectors for growth. 1. The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall submit to the Government in the second quarter of 2005 a Decree amending Decree No. 77/CP dated June 18, 1997 on the BOT investment regulation within the country.

2. The Ministry of Transport shall announce in the second quarter of 2005 a list of BOT projects in the transport sector to attract non-state budget funds.

3. The Ministry of Construction shall announce in the second quarter of 2005 a list of investment projects in economic and social infrastructure that require capital mobilization from domestic and foreign economic sectors, especially projects in water supply and drainage, waste treatment, environmental sanitation, new urban area construction, urban transportation, and public works.

4. The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall announce in the second quarter of 2005 a list of national projects calling for foreign investment; shall submit

5. The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall announce in the first quarter of 2005 a list of specific industries and fields where foreign investors can participate with a maximum of 30% of the investment capital according to the Law on Encouraging Domestic Investment. For other industries and fields not included in this list, there will be no restrictions on the proportion of foreign investors' capital contributions.

6. Ministries and provincial People's Committees continue to improve and make public administrative procedures related to investment in a simplified manner, facilitating and shortening the time for investment approval and licensing.

7. The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall submit to the Government in the first quarter of 2005 a Decree supplementing and amending Decree No. 22/1999/NĐ-CP dated April 14, 1999 on overseas investment by Vietnamese enterprises to unify management and create favorable conditions for Vietnamese enterprises' overseas investment activities.

8. The Ministry of Finance and provincial People's Committees shall accelerate the process of eliminating different pricing regulations between domestic and foreign investors.

9. Localities shall proactively review land management and usage to develop effective measures to utilize land funds and land revenues directly for local development investment.

       D.

Strengthen restructuring, shareholding reform, and enhance the operational efficiency of state-owned enterprises. 1. The Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the State Bank of Vietnam shall issue complete guiding documents for implementing Government Decree No. 187/2004/NĐ-CP dated November 16, 2004 on converting state-owned companies into joint-stock companies in the first quarter of 2005. The Ministers and Chairmen of Provincial People's Committees shall be responsible for directing and organizing the restructuring of state-owned enterprises according to Decision No. 155/2004/QĐ-TTg dated August 24, 2004 of the Prime Minister regarding criteria, classification lists of state-owned companies and independent accounting subsidiaries under state-owned corporations, and approved plans and programs.

2. Large state-owned enterprises must list their shares on the stock market when undergoing shareholding reform. The Ministry of Finance shall be responsible for guiding, monitoring, and supervising the implementation of this provision. 3. The Ministry of Finance shall guide large corporations (Vietnam Electricity Corporation, Vietnam Cement Corporation, Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Corporation, etc.) in issuing corporate bonds to raise capital and expand production and business operations.

4. Ministries and localities shall intensify efforts to resolve outstanding debts of state-owned enterprises, improve their financial health to support the shareholding reform, restructuring, modernization, and enhancement of operational efficiency of state-owned enterprises.

5. Continue to expand the scope of shareholding reform of state-owned enterprises, including some large corporations in the electricity, metallurgy, machinery, chemical, fertilizer, cement, construction, road, river, air, sea, telecommunications, banking, insurance, and state-owned corporations operating in sectors where the state does not need to hold 100% of the capital. While full corporatization of a corporation has not been achieved, its member enterprises should be corporatized. Prioritize the sale of state-owned enterprises' shares, particularly those of large corporations and companies listed on the stock market.

6. Ministries and provincial People's Committees shall enhance state management responsibilities over state-owned enterprise activities according to the Law on State-Owned Enterprises. For state-owned enterprises subject to shareholding reform but refusing or delaying it, key personnel changes shall be decisively implemented.

II. IMPROVE INVESTMENT EFFICIENCY AND COMBAT WASTAGE IN INVESTMENT

       A.

Continue to review, update, and improve the quality of planning.

1. The Government shall promulgate a Decree on planning and planning management in the first quarter of 2005. Relevant ministries shall issue guiding documents for implementation no later than the second quarter of 2005. 2. Ministries and provincial People's Committees shall manage state planning, take preventive measures, promptly address or recommend competent authorities to handle units or individuals making investments contrary to the plan; simultaneously, continue to implement the resolutions of the Politburo and the Government's action program to implement the Politburo's resolutions on socio-economic development and security and defense in the Northwest, Mekong Delta, North Midlands and Mountains, North Central Coast, and South Central Coast regions until 2010.

1. The Government shall issue a Decree on planning and managing planning in the first quarter of 2005. Relevant ministries shall promulish guiding documents to implement such Decree no later than the second quarter of 2005.

2. Ministries and provincial People's Committees shall be responsible for state management over approved plans, take measures to prevent, promptly address, or recommend competent authorities to handle units or individuals making investment decisions contrary to plans; and continue to implement the Resolutions of the Politburo and the Government's Action Program to implement the Politburo's Resolutions on socio-economic development and ensuring national defense and security in the Central Highlands, Mekong Delta, North Midland and Mountainous Region, North Central Coast and Central Coast regions until 2010.

3. The Ministry of Planning and Investment and relevant sectoral management agencies shall review, adjust, and supplement industry planning, planning for key economic regions, and planning for major products in the second quarter of 2005 with the orientation that planning serves as guidance for localities to develop detailed planning, and for businesses of all economic sectors (including foreign investment) to formulate plans and production and business schemes. Publicize the plans and strengthen community oversight over the planning process.

4. Provincial People's Committees shall review and supplement local socio-economic development planning in accordance with central-level overall industry, region, and product planning. Reform planning methods to ensure that planning products leverage local advantages, serve as guidance for mobilizing all social resources for development, serving structural economic transformation, and exploiting all potential to accelerate the development pace of the industrial and service sectors.

B. Enhance the effectiveness of investment, prevent waste, and loss of state capital investment.

1. The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall submit to the Government in the first quarter of 2005 the Management Regulation on State Capital Investment (including budget capital, state credit capital, and state enterprise investment capital) with the direction of gradually eliminating closed-loop investment construction, separating state management functions in investment and construction from business management at all stages.

Mechanisms for tendering must be implemented for projects funded by state capital; the person deciding on investment may not concurrently act as the project investor; design consultancy organizations, construction contractors, and supervision consultancy organizations of a project or construction must not belong to the same supervising authority (Ministry, province, city); clearly define conditions and standards for being a project investor and project management board; enhance the capacity and professionalism of project management boards.

Along with decentralization in investment and construction management, continue to supplement regulatory measures regarding the comprehensive responsibility of investors for the effectiveness, quality, and progress of project construction; the responsibility of the investment decision-maker; the project management board; technical design consultancy organizations, construction supervision consultancy organizations, and contractors when participating in construction.

Completed investment projects must organize audits before final settlement.

2. The Ministry of Construction shall issue criteria for the capacity and operating conditions of technical design consultancy organizations and construction supervision consultancy organizations in the second quarter of 2005, encouraging domestic and foreign organizations and individuals of all economic sectors to participate in these activities; transfer these state-owned organizations to independent operations without a supervising authority.

3. Ministries and provincial People's Committees shall review and assess current legal documents on investment and construction, promptly propose to the Government amendments and supplements, and promulge new specific regulations on regulatory measures for inspection, examination, and supervision of investment from state capital; principles and criteria for allocating investment funds according to objectives; implementing transparency in the allocation of state investment funds; publicizing inspection and examination results; promptly and strictly handling units and individuals who violate legal provisions.

4. Continue to implement Directive No. 29/2003/CT-TTg dated December 23, 2003 of the Prime Minister on rectifying and managing investment and construction using state capital; review investment policies and investment effectiveness for certain large projects with differing opinions to determine handling directions.

5. In 2005, authorities with investment decision-making power must review and take responsibility for ongoing construction works and those planned to commence to ensure investment effectiveness, address the issue of scattered investment; resolutely refrain from making investment decisions for projects whose funding sources are uncertain.

For projects currently preparing for investment, re-evaluate investment schemes, reconsider requirements related to planning, technology, market, etc.; if investment does not yield practical benefits, do not decide to invest.

For ongoing investment projects, there needs to be a review and calculation to modify and supplement technical solutions, change scale and technology appropriately to ensure project effectiveness; if continuing investment is deemed ineffective, resolutely halt investment.

In cases where investment projects are found to be ineffective but continue to be invested leading to unrecovered capital and inability to repay loans, the person deciding to continue investment must be subject to administrative, disciplinary, or criminal penalties depending on the severity of the violation.

In the second quarter of 2005, ministries and localities shall send reports on the results of reviewing the above contents to the Ministry of Planning and Investment for consolidation and reporting to the Government.

6. Regarding investment construction inspection:

a) The Government Inspectorate, inspectorates of ministries, and localities shall focus on inspecting basic construction investment, preventing scattered investment, waste, loss, and corruption from the design stage.

b) The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall develop and implement programs to inspect, supervise, and audit plans and investments of some large projects in sectors such as transportation, water conservancy, electricity, and construction.

7. The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall submit

a) The person deciding on project investment must be responsible for the effectiveness and assurance of funding sources; investment projects must comply with approved planning and not contravene current regulations on investment and construction management.

b) Clearly define the individual responsibilities of the appraisal personnel, investment decision-makers, and construction supervision personnel for the quality of the works.

8. State budget capital allocated for development investment must be deliberated and decided upon by representative bodies. The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall submit to the Government in the third quarter of 2005 proposals to the National Assembly to amend criteria for projects requiring National Assembly approval and to propose criteria for projects requiring approval of the People's Councils at all levels through a rigorous process.

9. Ministries and localities must allocate sufficient capital investment funds in the state budget estimate for 2005 to settle outstanding debts from basic construction investments, without generating new debts contrary to the provisions of the law; localities that have commenced construction projects without being allocated funds in the plan, relying on contractor funding or borrowing from financial institutions, causing arrears and occupation of corporate capital, must allocate part of their annual local budget to repay debts and cease making arbitrary investment decisions henceforth.

10. The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall coordinate with the Ministry of Finance and relevant ministries in the first quarter of 2005 to review government bond-funded construction projects to ensure effectiveness; issue bonds only when permitted projects have completed all necessary procedures and are ready to be implemented immediately.

11. The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall take the lead, coordinating with the Ministry of Finance, relevant ministries, and localities to review the list of border patrol road projects, mountainous area irrigation projects, and villages along the border without motor vehicle access, which are to be implemented using government bond funds according to the National Assembly's Resolution.

12. The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall take the lead in developing a master plan for attracting and utilizing Official Development Assistance (ODA) funds for the period 2006-2010; proactively supplement and amend regulations related to ODA management within its authority or submit to the Government for amendment, primarily Decree No. 17/2001/NĐ-CP dated May 4, 2001, promulgating the Regulations on Management and Utilization of ODA Funds.

13. All sectors, levels, and units must strictly implement Directive No. 17/2004/CT-TTg dated May 24, 2004, of the Prime Minister on accelerating disbursement of ODA funds. 7 ||| Creating a significant shift in disbursement and enhancing the efficiency of ODA fund utilization.To make a strong shift towards increasing disbursement and enhancing the efficiency of using ODA funds.

14. The Ministry of Finance shall submit to the Government in the first quarter of 2005 a proposal to amend and supplement the Bidding Law regarding procurement of public assets; issue a regulation on monitoring and supervising the use of capital during the implementation of state-funded investment projects.

15. The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall coordinate with relevant agencies of the National Assembly to develop a mechanism ensuring that elected bodies and community residents can monitor the implementation of state-funded investment projects.

16. The State Bank of Vietnam shall take the lead, coordinating with the General Statistics Office and relevant agencies to establish a system for providing information on enterprises to assist banks in considering and deciding loan matters.

17. The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall take the lead, coordinating with the Ministry of Finance to submit to the Government in the second quarter of 2005 conditions for establishing independent enterprises with foreign investment operating in the field of enterprise credit rating to support financial institutions in considering and deciding loans and to provide enterprises with additional grounds for determining financial transparency when issuing corporate bonds and participating in the capital market.

III. ADMINISTRATION OF FINANCIAL AND MONETARY POLICIES.

Continue improving the business environment, creating conditions to promote economic units to enhance efficiency and competitiveness On State finance and budget

1. Ministries and localities must strengthen guidance to prevent revenue loss, striving to exceed the state budget revenue target by at least 5% compared to the target set in Decision No. 194/2004/QĐ-TTg dated November 17, 2004, of the Prime Minister to supplement resources for economic and social tasks and salary reform. 2. Ministries and localities must allocate and assign the 2005 budget to budgetary units in accordance with the prescribed time frame. After March 31, 2005, planning and finance authorities at all levels must consolidate and report to the competent authority to reduce expenditures or reallocate unallocated funds to other units.

3. For national target programs, in addition to central government budget support, based on the objectives and tasks of each program, localities must proactively allocate budgets and mobilize additional legitimate sources to ensure completion of the 2001-2005 phase objectives and tasks of these programs in their respective areas by the end of 2005.

4. The Ministry of Finance shall submit to the Government in the second quarter of 2005 proposals to amend and supplement the financial mechanisms for public service units towards increasing financial autonomy, organizational implementation of tasks, personnel management, etc., applicable to all revenue-generating public service units to promote the development of public services.

5. The Ministry of Finance shall submit to the Government in the second quarter of 2005 draft Decree on amending and supplementing policies to encourage the development of non-public service institutions in line with the policy of promoting socialization in activities such as healthcare, education, culture, and sports.

6. The Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the State Bank of Vietnam shall perfect mechanisms for financial and monetary supervision, particularly foreign debt, to ensure national financial security, control capital flows, loans, and repayments, and expand forms of financial disclosure.

7. Ministries and localities must publicly disclose the 2005 state budget estimate in accordance with Decision No. 192/2004/QĐ-TTg dated November 16, 2004, of the Prime Minister on issuing the Financial Disclosure Regulations.

On money and credit1. To contribute to controlling inflation, it is required that:

B. a) The State Bank of Vietnam shall implement measures to enhance analytical and forecasting capabilities to proactively regulate the money market to stabilize the purchasing power of the Vietnamese currency both domestically and internationally, striving to keep the consumer price index for 2005 within the level decided by the National Assembly.

b) The Advisory Council on Financial and Monetary Policy shall submit to the Prime Minister in the first quarter of 2005 an assessment of the situation and recommendations for measures to curb price increases in 2005, especially in the early months of the year.

2. The State Bank of Vietnam shall intensify inspection and supervision of the operations of financial institutions, adopt measures to improve credit quality and control the growth of risky assets to prevent the trend of increasing bad debts among financial institutions; promptly detect and handle violations in credit and monetary activities.

b) The Financial and Monetary Policy Advisory Council shall report to the Prime Minister in the first quarter of 2005 on the situation and propose solutions to curb price increases in 2005, especially in the early months of the year.

2. The State Bank of Vietnam shall strengthen inspection and supervision of credit institutions' activities, take measures to improve credit quality and control asset growth with risks in order to prevent the trend of increasing bad debts of credit institutions; detect and promptly address violations in credit and monetary activities.

3. Continue to accelerate the implementation progress of the restructuring plan for the commercial banking system with the aim of enhancing the financial capacity and competitiveness of these banks; summarize and evaluate the implementation of the project to handle overdue debts of commercial banks.

4. The State Bank of Vietnam shall promptly implement the directives of the Prime Minister as stated in Circular No. 988/VPCP-KTTH dated December 13, 2004; submit to the Prime Minister in the second quarter of 2005 the plan to handle bad debts of credit organizations after applying international accounting standards and practices regarding loan classification and risk provisioning. 5. The State Bank of Vietnam shall focus on accelerating the development progress of the money market within the framework of the project to improve and develop the capital market and the money market in Vietnam; accelerate the progress of implementing the project to modernize banks and payment systems; expand cashless transactions; prepare conditions for the implementation of the Government's Decree on cash payments.

6. The State Bank of Vietnam shall submit to the Government in the second quarter of 2005 the project on the roadmap to enhance the convertibility of the Vietnamese currency, gradually addressing the phenomenon of dollarization in the economy; prepare the draft Ordinance on Foreign Exchange to be submitted to the Government in the first quarter of 2006.

7. The Ministry of Public Security and the State Bank of Vietnam shall proactively implement measures to prevent and promptly deal with acts of producing, circulating, and consuming counterfeit money and other types of crimes in the banking sector.

Regarding thrift and anti-waste

Promote capital mobilization from all economic sectors for growth. 1. Ministries and provincial People's Committees shall complete the review and handle, within their authority, any violations in the management and use of office premises of state administrative agencies and public service units under their jurisdiction; reclaim facilities that have been improperly used for allocation to other units with legitimate needs.

2. Ministries and provincial People's Committees shall review the number of cars currently in use in the first quarter of 2005; resolutely address any violations in the management and use of cars discovered through inspections and audits from previous years (including the reallocation of cars beyond standard limits among subordinate agencies and units).

3. The Ministry of Finance shall submit to the Prime Minister in the first quarter of 2005 proposals to amend and supplement the regulations on the provision of small cars in the public sector.

4. Ministries, localities, and institutions must practice thrift and combat waste, particularly in organizing conferences, seminars, rallies, commemorations, receiving commendation awards, and traveling both domestically and internationally. No banquets, gifts, or combined activities involving sightseeing and vacations should be organized. The state budget will not provide additional funding outside the approved budget for such activities. 5. The Ministry of Finance shall submit to the Prime Minister in the first quarter of 2005 the Decision on standards and quotas for the provision of work equipment in state administrative agencies and the Regulation on gifts and presents.

IV. STRENGTHENING EXPORTS AND PROMOTING THE PROCESS OF INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC INTEGRATION

1. Ministries and localities shall guide enterprises to continue implementing measures to expand markets and boost production of export goods towards increasing the proportion of industrial products and processed goods to enhance the value of exported goods. 2. Ministries and localities shall actively implement measures to reduce protectionism, strengthen restrictions and control over monopolistic business operations; guide industry associations and enterprises to analyze the competitiveness of products and services and propose specific measures to reduce input costs, intermediate costs, increase labor productivity, and improve the quality of each type of product and service; take specific measures to encourage the export of new products with high potential for export growth.

3. The Ministry of Trade shall coordinate with relevant ministries to review and propose supplements and amendments to the mechanism for border economic zones and border markets with neighboring countries.

4. State management agencies responsible for managing import and export activities (quota allocation, customs, taxes, credit, payment...) shall take strong measures to curb corruption, harassment of businesses, reduce cumbersome procedures, ensure transparency, and enhance dialogue with businesses.

5. The Ministry of Trade shall coordinate with relevant ministries, industry associations, and localities to intensify key trade promotion activities, focusing on major markets such as the EU, the United States, Japan, China, etc.; take measures to improve the quality and effectiveness of trade promotion activities.

6. To help businesses effectively integrate and minimize risks:

a) The Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and production management ministries shall proactively detect, provide information, and propose timely responses to non-tariff barriers and technical trade barriers; guide enterprises to comply with production processes and economic-technical standards of export products, enhancing the reputation of Vietnamese goods in international markets.

b) The Ministry of Trade shall urgently complete the project on proactively preventing and combating foreign trade disputes as directed by the Prime Minister in Circular No. 6071/VPCP-QHQT dated November 9, 2004.

c) The Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Finance shall disseminate information and guide enterprises to apply the Program of Reduced Tariffs (CEPT/AFTA); take advantage of commitments to open up the ASEAN market to expand export markets. The Ministry of Industry shall develop a project to enhance the competitiveness of Vietnam's textile and garment industry, diversify markets, and promote exports to countries that have lifted quotas such as the EU and Canada.

7. Ministries shall urgently implement assigned tasks to support the Government's negotiation team in concluding negotiations to achieve the goal of joining the WTO by the end of 2005; at the same time, based on international commitments and opening-up timelines for sectors and areas, guide enterprises to prepare for effective integration.

b) The Ministry of Trade shall urgently complete the Project on proactively preventing and combating foreign trade disputes as directed by the Prime Minister in Circular No. 6071/VPCP-QHQT dated November 9, 2004.

c) The Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Finance shall disseminate information and guide enterprises in applying the Program of Reduced Tariffs (CEPT/AFTA); take advantage of commitments to open up the ASEAN market to expand export markets. The Ministry of Industry shall develop a project to enhance the competitiveness of Vietnam's textile and garment industry, diversify markets, and promote exports to countries that have lifted quotas such as the EU and Canada.

7. Ministries shall urgently implement assigned tasks to support the Government negotiation team in concluding negotiations to achieve the goal of joining the WTO at the end of 2005; and based on international commitments and opening-up schedules for sectors and fields, guide enterprises to prepare effectively for integration.

8. The Ministry of Justice shall take the lead and coordinate with relevant ministries to urgently issue or submit to competent authorities for issuance amendments and supplements to necessary consolidated documents to meet the requirements for joining the World Trade Organization. The Ministry of Justice shall supervise and inspect to ensure the correct implementation of the legislative program that has been set forth.

V. SOME SOLUTIONS IN THE SOCIAL FIELD

1. The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs shall submit to the Prime Minister in the first quarter of 2005 the poverty standard for the period from 2006 to 2010; at the same time, coordinate with the General Statistics Office to direct and guide localities to conduct surveys and statistics on poor households in each commune, district, province (this must be completed by the third quarter of 2005) as a basis for building and implementing policies to eliminate hunger and reduce poverty. Localities shall urgently develop comprehensive programs to eliminate hunger and reduce poverty for the period from 2006 to 2010. The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs shall compile and submit these programs to the Government in the third quarter of 2005.

2. Ministries and localities shall continue to effectively and firmly address the work of eliminating hunger and reducing poverty in rural areas, especially remote and ethnic minority regions. Promote nationwide movements to support the construction of housing for poor households, particularly poor families of war veterans.

3. People's Committees at all levels shall implement Decision No. 134/2004/QĐ-TTg dated July 20, 2004 of the Prime Minister regarding certain support policies for production land, residential land, housing, and drinking water for poor ethnic minority households, ensuring democracy, transparency, and fairness.

4. The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs and localities shall have specific mechanisms and solutions to encourage various economic sectors to participate in investment in building and expanding vocational training networks, improving the quality of vocational training for workers, especially young rural workers, to meet labor demands in industrial zones and for labor export. Rectify the organization of sending workers abroad, open new labor export markets. 5. The Ministry of Education and Training shall have the following tasks:

a) Submit to the Government in the first quarter of 2005 the Action Program of the Government to implement Resolution No. 37/2004/QH11 of the National Assembly on education.

b) Submit to the Prime Minister in the second quarter of 2005 the Project on Reforming Higher Education and the Project on Adjusting the Scheme for Dividing High School Departments to Guide Career Orientation for Students and Adapt to Vietnam's Practical Conditions.

c) Submit to the Government in the second quarter of 2005 the Project on Comprehensive Reform of State Management of Education towards Clear Division of Responsibilities and Authorities between the Ministry of Education and Training, other Ministries, and Provincial People's Committees.

d) Submit to the Government in the second quarter of 2005 the Project on Reforming Tuition Fees.đ) Implement comprehensive measures to prevent cheating in examinations, thesis writing, degree and certificate issuance; overcome the tendency to chase achievements; immediately prohibit teachers from charging fees for additional classes for students in their own class or school.

e) Review, adjust, and supplement the planning of higher education and college networks, criteria for establishing universities and colleges, and submit them.

g) Complete the legal framework for non-state educational institutions, issue mechanisms and policies for converting state educational institutions to non-state ones.

6. The Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and People's Committees at all levels shall accelerate the progress of constructing and disbursing funds for the Program to Strengthen Schools, striving to complete the Program's goals in 2005.

7. The Ministry of Health shall submit to the Government in the first quarter of 2005 the Overall Project on Reforming Medical Fees; the Project on Amending and Supplementing the Medical Insurance Regulations, the Project on Expanding Compulsory Medical Insurance Coverage, Legal Framework for Various Forms of Voluntary Medical Insurance, and Community Medical Insurance; build and announce plans for hospital networks, pharmaceutical industry, and preventive healthcare systems in the second quarter of 2005.

8. The Ministry of Health shall continue to improve and enhance the effectiveness of state management over pharmaceuticals and medical services; submit to the Government the Project on Developing Production, Stockpiling, and Circulation of Medicines.

9. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall cooperate with the Ministry of Health and People's Committees at all levels to adopt resolute measures, mobilize all forces to inspect, isolate, and thoroughly extinguish avian flu outbreaks and other livestock diseases, preventing widespread spread; direct localities to address droughts and natural disasters, forest fires, and ensure people's stable lives.

10. The Population, Family and Children Committee shall cooperate with relevant agencies to strengthen inspections and supervision of population and family planning work, limit the birth of third children; study and submit to the Government the Project on Amending Article 10 of the Population Ordinance to be submitted to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

Party organizations and state authorities at all levels shall closely cooperate with mass organizations and social organizations to intensify propaganda, mobilization, and education on population policies and family planning.

11. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall have the following tasks:

a) Implement specific measures to encourage cultural and artistic workers to create many valuable works with high ideological and artistic value, better meeting the cultural and spiritual needs of the people, especially in remote areas; encourage and create conditions for various economic sectors to participate in building a cultural life, contributing to combating negative phenomena in the cultural and information fields.

b) Submit to the Government in the second quarter of 2005 the Project on Planning the Development of Television and Radio Networks throughout the country.

c) Develop and organize the implementation of plans to implement the conclusions of the Politburo on measures to strengthen press management.

12. Mass media agencies shall actively discover and promptly promote exemplary models and good deeds in production and daily life; ensure accurate and truthful information in the fight against bureaucracy, corruption, waste, and social evils; not disseminate false information that affects government guidance and management.

b) Submit to the Government in the second quarter of 2005 a project on planning the development of the nationwide television and radio network.

c) Develop and organize the implementation of a plan to carry out the Politburo's conclusions on some measures to strengthen press management.

12. Mass media agencies shall actively discover and promptly publicize exemplary models and good deeds in production and daily life; ensure accurate and truthful information in the fight against bureaucracy, corruption, waste, and social evils; refrain from reporting false policies and orientations that affect government guidance and management.

13. The Sports Committee shall take specific measures to improve and perfect state management work in the field of physical culture and sports. It shall lead together with the Ministry of Health to submit to the Government in the third quarter of 2005 a proposal on the formation of organizations and mechanisms for cooperation among agencies responsible for protecting health, enhancing physical fitness, and stature of Vietnamese people.

14. The Ministry of Science and Technology shall issue regulations within its authority or submit to the Government for issuance of documents on intellectual property rights; propose a mechanism to transform research and technology transfer agencies into business models.

15. The Ministry of Science and Technology shall have the following tasks:

a) Submit to the Government in the second quarter of 2005 a proposal on mechanisms, policies, and solutions to promote the application and development of high technologies.

b) Submit to the Prime Minister the reform of the fundamental mechanism for building and managing scientific and technological tasks at all levels and sectors.

16. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall develop and publish Vietnamese environmental standards. Strengthen management and supervision of natural resource exploitation and utilization activities. Promote propaganda and education on environmental protection.

17. The Ministry of Construction shall lead together with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to propose mechanisms and policies to encourage enterprises and localities to build housing for workers in concentrated industrial zones.

18. The Ministries of Education and Training, Health, Science and Technology, Culture and Information, Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, and the Sports Committee shall direct the promotion of socialization in their respective fields; classify and clearly define specific mechanisms applicable to each type of public service unit: those fully funded by the State, those partially subsidized by the State, and those required to self-finance operating costs, initially regular expenses; gradually expand the category of self-financing facilities.

19. The Ministries shall study to supplement policies, expand scope, and create favorable conditions to attract foreign investment in various forms to strongly develop non-public service facilities; stipulate support policies for non-public facilities voluntarily operating under a non-profit mechanism. Some public service facilities may also be converted into joint-stock companies or joint ventures with foreign entities.

20. The Ministries of Public Security, National Defense, and People's Committees of provinces shall develop specific plans to implement the national defense strategy in new circumstances, linking economic and social development tasks with the consolidation and enhancement of security and defense potential and ensuring social order and safety.

VI. PROMOTE ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM AND STRENGTHEN WORK TO PREVENT AND COMBAT CORRUPTION

1. In 2005, heads of government agencies and Chairmen of People's Committees at all levels must review the entire organizational structure and work procedures of their agencies; directly guide administrative reform, streamline organizational structures, reduce staffing; immediately eliminate overlapping, complex, bureaucratic, and corrupt procedures that cause difficulties and waste time for the people.

2. Ministries and People's Committees at all levels must systematize regulations on necessary procedures and documents for each type of work, publicly announce them through mass media and office premises as a basis for the people to implement and supervise implementation. The Government Office shall submit to the Prime Minister the opinions of the people and businesses regarding administrative procedures. Strictly prohibit agencies from arbitrarily establishing administrative procedures outside those officially announced by competent authorities.

3. The Ministry of Home Affairs shall direct localities to implement the "one-stop-shop" model at all levels of government, ensuring smooth resolution of people's requests, expanding decentralization to district and commune levels to handle procedures directly related to daily affairs of the people.

4. The Ministry of Home Affairs together with the Ministry of Finance shall establish a mechanism to control income, implement asset and income declaration for civil servants, particularly those in positions of power.

5. Administrative agencies must build leadership and management cultures, workplace cultures, primarily reflected in responsibility and attitude when handling people's affairs; implement democracy within agencies and in relations with the people, set examples in organizing civilized weddings and funerals. Particularly focus on building and implementing well the working regulations of grassroots administrations, especially the system for resolving people's affairs. Combine the rectification of government operations with the effective implementation of grassroots democracy.

6. Regarding complaints and denunciations:

a) Ministries and People's Committees at all levels must thoroughly implement the contents of the National Assembly's Resolution and the Prime Minister's Directive on complaint and denunciation work, ensuring that by the end of 2005, most pending complaints are resolved, preventing the emergence of hotspots for complaints. Closely monitor situations and promptly resolve collective complaints at the grassroots level, clarify causes, especially management errors leading to complaints, and address them by disciplining and punishing officials who violate laws causing people to complain. Increase direct dialogue to promptly address people's requests. b) The Government Inspectorate shall consult relevant agencies and localities, and submit to the Prime Minister in the first quarter of 2005 measures to fundamentally address the problem of complaints bypassing lower levels, particularly those after final decisions (Ministry level, provincial level).

7. Assign the Government Inspectorate:

a) To summarize the Anti-Corruption Ordinance, submit to the Government in the first quarter of 2005 a draft Law on Anti-Corruption. In the second quarter of 2005, report to the Prime Minister to submit to the President for approval the United Nations Convention against Corruption.

b) Submit to the Government in the second quarter of 2005 a proposal to establish a National Steering Board (with representatives from relevant ministries) capable of mobilizing the strength of the political system in preventing and combating corruption.

b) Submit to the Government in the second quarter of 2005 a project to establish a National Steering Committee (with representatives from relevant ministries) that can harness the strength of the political system in preventing and combating corruption.

8. The Ministry of Home Affairs shall take the lead and coordinate with the Government Inspectorate to submit to the Government in the third quarter of 2005 the Inspection Regulation (inspection) for public service to serve as a basis for implementing inspection activities in certain management fields: housing, land, tax, customs, construction investment, and specific cases that have been reflected by voters and public opinion.

9. Ministries and localities must strictly implement the conclusions of the inspection and audit agencies; publicly disclose the conclusions of these agencies and the results of their handling; heads of higher-level agencies shall be responsible for handling according to the provisions of the law against the heads of agencies and units that violate regulations.

10. Leaders of ministries and localities must direct the implementation of administrative reform right from the grassroots level according to specific plans, clearly defining timelines, responsibilities of those in charge, and regularly reporting on the progress of implementation to higher-level agencies. The Ministry of Home Affairs shall be responsible for compiling and reporting to the Government every six months and annually.

VII. IMPLEMENTATION ORGANIZATION

1. Based on the Work Program for 2005 and this Resolution of the Government, ministries and provincial People's Committees shall develop specific action plans for their respective agencies, clearly defining each goal, task, timeframe, and assigning responsibility for each task; they shall review and evaluate the implementation situation monthly and quarterly.

2. Ministries and People's Committees at all levels need to launch enthusiastic competitive movements, organize commendation meetings for outstanding models to celebrate major holidays in 2005, welcome the Seventh National Model Congress and the Tenth National Party Congress, contributing to promoting the completion of the five-year socio-economic development plan (2001-2005).

3. The Government shall organize specialized conferences with localities to discuss fundamental long-term tasks as well as to address urgent issues arising widely; at the same time, maintain quarterly coordination meetings to review the situation and propose measures to promote the implementation of plans and state budget.

4. By the end of November 2005, ministries and provincial People's Committees shall prepare reports reviewing the implementation of this Resolution tothe Prime Minister and send them to the Ministry of Planning and Investment. The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall compile the results of the implementation of the Resolution, assess the degree of completion of each ministry and locality, report to the Government, and present at the year-end conference of the Government with localities.