Decision No. 03/2001/NQ-CP of the Government's regular meeting in March 2001

RESOLUTION

Regular Meeting of the Government in March 2001

_________________

On March 28 and 29, 2001, the Government convened its regular meeting for March 2001 to discuss and adopt the following issues:

1. The Government heard the Minister of Planning and Investment present the Report on the situation of foreign direct investment activities over the five-year period from 1996 to 2000 and the solutions for the period 2001-2005.

After more than 12 years of attracting foreign direct investment, the foreign investment sector has become an important part of the national economy, making significant contributions to achieving economic and social goals, the success of the reform process. Foreign investment has positively influenced the supplementation of capital for development investment, the restructuring of the economic structure towards industrialization and modernization, the access and expansion of international relations, the development of international markets, and the enhancement of export capacity, better exploitation of domestic resources, and promotion of economic growth... However, during this time, the results of attracting foreign investment have been limited. This situation is due to many objective and subjective reasons, but mainly due to difficulties in investment planning, the incompleteness and lack of coordination in the legal system, policies, and administrative procedures.

To strengthen the attraction and improve the effectiveness of foreign investment, in the future, there need to be more proactive measures to enhance the quality of planning for attracting foreign investment capital; complete the legal system, innovate and effectively implement policies on foreign investment, remove difficulties for foreign investment projects to operate effectively; focus on training human resources and cadre work; actively promote and attract investment, and increase the confidence of foreign investors in investing in Vietnam.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment is tasked with leading and coordinating with relevant ministries and agencies to incorporate the opinions of government members, finalize the report and draft Resolution of the Government on foreign investment for the period 2001-2005, and submit it to the Prime Minister for consideration and issuance in the second quarter of 2001.

2. The Government heard the Minister and Head of the Government Organizational Cadre Department present the proposal on the State Administrative Reform Strategy for the period 2001-2010.

The State administrative reform process in our country, which began in 1991, has and continues to make significant contributions to the cause of reform and socio-economic development. However, due to many reasons, the newly reformed administrative system still has many deficiencies, bearing many marks of the centralized bureaucratic rationing mechanism. The State Administrative Reform Strategy for the period 2001-2010 aims to build a democratic, clean, strong, professional, modernized administrative system that is highly effective and efficient based on comprehensive reforms in terms of institutions, organizational structures, cadres and civil servants, and public finance.

Government members need to further study to provide opinions to perfect this strategy. The Government Organizational Cadre Department is tasked with incorporating the opinions of government members to complete the strategy and submit it to the Government for discussion at the Government meeting in May 2001.

3. The Government heard the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development report on the situation and solutions regarding land disputes and complaints in the Mekong Delta.

In recent times, land disputes and complaints have been intense in Ben Tre, An Giang, and the Song Hau and Co Do farms in Can Tho city; the 30-4 farm in Soc Trang province. Among the causes are poor education and dissemination of laws and policies of the Party and State, especially the Land Law, leading to insufficient understanding of the Land Law among the people. Some party committees, local authorities, and mass organizations in areas with complaints have not paid sufficient attention to directing and resolving them promptly, or they have resolved them inconsistently with overall guidance, leading to prolonged complaints. Some inaccurate information about recent land dispute resolution policies has led the people to misunderstand.

The Government's policy is to resolve major land disputes to stabilize production and living conditions for the people, ensuring farmers have land for production, particularly for poor families and those under special policies; while creating employment opportunities to increase income; strictly handling any wrongful acts in land management. Resolving disputes must be based on state laws and policies on land. In addition to central support, local authorities must take responsibility for resolving disputes and complaints in their areas, focusing on mediation and negotiation within the community; and actively promoting and explaining the Law and state land policies to the people.

Regarding specific solutions for each locality, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is tasked with leading and coordinating with relevant ministries, sectors, and localities to draft and submit to the Prime Minister for issuance of specific directives for the People's Committees of the localities to organize implementation. Thủ tướng Chính phủ ban hành các văn bản chỉ đạo cụ thể để Ủy ban nhân dân các địa phương tổ chức thực hiện.

4. The Government heard the Minister of Public Security present the Proposal to the Government on the Draft Decree of the Government on the Management of Security Service Business Activities; and heard the Minister and Head of the Government Office report on the summary of opinions of government members on the Draft Decree.

The Ministry of Public Security is tasked with leading and coordinating with the Government Office to incorporate the opinions of government members in the meeting, continue to refine the draft, and submit it to the Prime Minister for signature and issuance in April 2001.

5. The Government heard the Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs present the Proposal to the Government on two draft Laws: the Social Insurance Law and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Labor Code; and heard the Minister and Head of the Government Office report on the summary of opinions of government members on the aforementioned two draft Laws.

The Government agrees with the main contents of the two draft Laws above and assigns the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs to take the lead, coordinate with the Government Office and relevant ministries and sectors to incorporate the opinions of the Government members, perfect the drafts, and report to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision on submitting them to the National Assembly.

6- At this meeting, the Government reviewed the Report on the implementation of the Enterprise Law for one year, the Report on the implementation of the March plan and the first quarter of 2001 by the Minister of Planning and Investment; the Report on the review of the Government's guidance and management work in the first quarter of 2001 by the Minister and Head of the Government Office.

The Government affirms that the Enterprise Law is a key breakthrough of the State in enterprise reform policies and administrative reform. The implementation of the Enterprise Law has institutionalized the freedom of business for all strata of the people, improved the business environment, and received widespread support from public opinion across the country, especially from the business community. So far, over 18 thousand new enterprises have been established, significant capital has been mobilized for social investment, many jobs have been created, and income for workers has increased. Building on these achievements, the Government requests ministries, sectors, and localities to continue to vigorously implement the Enterprise Law, complete necessary conditions for its implementation, enhance discipline to ensure that the Enterprise Law truly becomes part of daily life. The Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Task Force for Implementing the Enterprise Law are assigned to monitor and urge the implementation of the Enterprise Law, reporting quarterly to the Prime Minister on the overall situation.

Generally, the Government's guidance and management activities in the first quarter of 2001, despite time constraints, achieved many positive results. The Government's guidance and management were both closely aligned with the general direction and timely addressed specific and urgent issues, while also closely following the main targets for national economic and social development. This reflects the efforts, dedication, and high sense of responsibility of the Government collective.

The socio-economic situation in the first quarter of 2001 saw a remarkable increase compared to the same period in 1999-2000. Agricultural production developed comprehensively, the winter-spring crop had the potential for a bumper harvest, animal husbandry and aquaculture developed quite well. Industrial production and exports continued to maintain a high growth rate. Social issues showed significant progress, particularly poverty reduction efforts. However, there was no strong change in basic construction investment, and the rice and coffee consumption issues remain hotspots. The tasks for the coming months are still very heavy, the Government requests ministries, sectors, and localities to continue to implement solutions, guide the deepening of state administrative reform; address urgent economic issues such as agricultural product consumption, stimulating investment construction, and exports; focus on accelerating the poverty reduction program, creating purchasing power among different strata of the population based on investment and production development; resolve fundamental complaints and disputes, stabilize social security, solve employment issues, and eliminate social evils. Speed up the completion of projects recorded in the Government's 2001 work program./.