Decision No. 03/2002/NQ-CP of the Government's regular meeting in February 2002

RESOLUTION

Regular Government Meeting in February 2002

On March 4 and the morning of March 5, 2002, the Government held its regular meeting for February 2002 to discuss and adopt the following issues:

1. The Government heard the Minister of Planning and Investment and Chairman of the State Project Appraisal Council present a summary of the supplementary appraisal report on the Son La Hydropower Project according to the contents requested by the National Assembly.

Since the ninth session of the tenth National Assembly, relevant government agencies and Vietnam Electricity Corporation have actively implemented additional studies as required in Resolution No. 44/2001/QH10 dated June 29, 2001 of the National Assembly and the directives of the Prime Minister. Experts and specialized groups mobilized by the State Project Appraisal Council for the Son La Hydropower Project have evaluated the entire project dossier and reached a consensus that the supplementary dossier has provided additional information, clarified many issues that can serve as a basis for drawing important conclusions; it is sufficient to submit to the National Assembly for consideration and decision on investment policies according to the contents and requirements set forth in the National Assembly's resolution on this matter.

The Son La Hydropower Project is a large-scale project of special importance in the country's economic and social development, but it also involves many complex issues in comprehensive examination. Therefore, there are still differing opinions about this important project up to now. The Government affirms that the construction of the Son La Hydropower Project must consider all factors comprehensively, with safety being the top priority.

At this meeting, the Government Office sent out ballots seeking opinions from members of the Government on some key aspects of the Son La Hydropower Project as required in the National Assembly's resolution. The Government heard the Minister and Director of the Government Office report on the consolidated opinions of Government members regarding the above-mentioned contents.

Assign the Ministry of Planning and Investment to lead and coordinate with the Government Office to perfect the document and report to the Prime Minister for submission to seek the opinion of the Politburo and to submit to the National Assembly at its eleventh session of the tenth term for decision on the scale of the Son La Hydropower Plant.

2. The Government heard the Minister of Finance present a summary of some basic contents of the draft Decree replacing Decree No. 44/1998/NĐ-CP dated June 29, 1998 of the Government on the conversion of state-owned enterprises into joint-stock companies.

The issuance of Decree No. 44/1998/NĐ-CP had positive impacts, promoting the process of converting state-owned enterprises into joint-stock companies. However, compared to the requirements, the progress of shareholding and diversification of ownership of state-owned enterprises in recent years has been slow. There are many reasons for this delay, including institutional and policy-related factors.

Assign the Ministry of Finance to lead and coordinate with the Government Office and related ministries and sectors to incorporate the opinions of Government members, supplement and perfect the draft Decree, and submit it to the Prime Minister for signature and promulgation.

3. The Government heard the Minister of Planning and Investment present a summary of the proposal to the Government on issuing a document to pilot the application of the form of joint-stock company with foreign invested capital.

The Government recognizes that allowing foreign-invested enterprises to operate under the form of a joint-stock company is a new issue, although there has been a policy orientation but not yet codified in law, requiring careful study to select the optimal solution. Therefore, a pilot program should be conducted, gradually learning from experience, perfecting the legal framework, and then expanding the scope of application and advancing towards solid grounds for supplementing the form of joint-stock company in the Law on Foreign Investment in Vietnam.

Assign the Ministry of Planning and Investment to lead and coordinate with the Government Office, the Ministry of Justice, and related ministries and sectors to incorporate the opinions of Government members, supplement and perfect the draft into a Decree, submit it to the Prime Minister for consideration and promulgation, and simultaneously report to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

4. At this meeting, the Ministry of Planning and Investment reported to the Government on the socio-economic situation in February and the first two months of 2002.

After two months of implementation, the socio-economic situation of the country has shown positive changes in several areas: the domestic market has become more active, purchasing power has increased significantly; industrial production has continued to maintain a high growth rate; agricultural, forestry, and fisheries production have continued to develop; tourism activities have improved positively; financial and monetary operations have achieved many results; investment development with budget funds has been quite good, and direct foreign investment has increased significantly. However, exports remain very difficult, and some social areas have not seen much change, especially traffic accidents have occurred seriously, and superstitious beliefs are increasing.

To implement the tasks for 2002 approved by the National Assembly, the Government requests ministries, sectors, and localities to make great efforts with high determination in implementing the 2002 solutions. In the short term, in the coming months, focus on handling the following issues: quickly institutionalize and organize the implementation of the conclusions of the Government meeting with localities in January 2002; concentrate on implementing the Central Resolution 5 on cooperative economy, private economy, industrialization and modernization of agriculture and rural areas, and strengthening grassroots political systems; concentrate on resolving difficulties and obstacles in basic construction investment; continue to focus on guiding production and business activities well, paying particular attention to solving the rice price issue for farmers, inspecting and developing plans to deal with the mass shrimp deaths in some southern provinces, consolidating and developing external markets to promote export activities; concentrate on resolving citizens' complaints; continue to guide well the work of ensuring social order and safety, reducing traffic accidents.