Directive No. 02/1999/CT-BXD on Preventing, Handling, and Mitigating the Impact of the "Year 2000 Incident" in Fields Using Information Technology

DIRECTIVE

Regarding the prevention, handling, and mitigation of the impact

of the "Year 2000 Problem" in sectors utilizing information technology

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The impact of the "Year 2000 Problem," also known as Y2K, may cause significant unforeseeable damages in the management, operation, production, business, and service activities of the Construction Industry.

According to preliminary investigation results at some basic units under the Ministry, the Y2K problem will affect PCs of the 586 (Pentium) and 486 generations or lower, data bases formed with software not considering century time, electronic control devices in automated production lines, and automated control centers...

In accordance with the Prime Minister's Directive No. 43/1998/CT-TTg dated December 31, 1998 on the prevention, handling, and mitigation of the impact of the "Year 2000 Problem" in sectors utilizing information technology, the Construction Industry has established a Steering Committee for Mitigating the Year 2000 Problem. To enhance awareness and promptly implement actions to investigate, study measures to handle, and minimize the impact of the Y2K problem, the Minister of Construction instructs all units within the Construction Industry to undertake the following tasks:

1. All units within the industry must proactively and closely coordinate with the Steering Committee for Mitigating the Year 2000 Problem of the Ministry of Construction in the following areas:

. Organizing investigations and surveys of computer systems, electronic equipment, and application software related to the Year 2000 Problem within their own units.

. Conducting investigations of automated production lines, operational control centers using information technology, and databases that have been established.

. Each unit is responsible for compiling, evaluating, classifying the impact of the Year 2000 Problem within its jurisdiction, proposing solutions to address and mitigate the problem, particularly focusing on equipment significantly affecting management, production, and business operations. It is necessary to complete the resolution before September 1999.

. Units need to establish an organization or individual responsible for this work. Monthly and quarterly reports on the resolution of the problem along with the unit's recommendations for solutions should be submitted to the Industry Steering Committee.

2. The Industry Steering Committee for Mitigating the Year 2000 Problem has the responsibility to:

. Collecting survey results, assessing the degree of impact, and recommendations from units to develop specific action programs for the Industry.

. Organizing guidance and training sessions for units under the Ministry in conducting surveys, assessments, classification of the Year 2000 Problem impact, and jointly proposing solutions to address and mitigate the problem.

. Organizing seminars, exchanging experiences, and coordinating consultations to resolve the Year 2000 Problem in units within the Construction Industry. International cooperation both domestically and internationally on this issue should be sought.

. Closely coordinating with the Government's Steering Committee for Mitigating the Year 2000 Problem and the National Program Steering Committee on Information Technology in providing advisory support to resolve issues for the Ministry of Construction.

3. The operating funds of the Steering Committee, as well as the costs for organizing training and seminars, will be sourced from the Science and Technology and Information Technology Development Fund of the Industry. Funds for implementing survey, handling, and mitigating the Year 2000 Problem activities of each unit need to be mobilized from the production development and science and technology funds of the respective entities. Units need to prepare detailed plans for implementation and reasonable, economical expenses.

This directive takes effect from the date of issuance.