Resolution No. 04/2001/NQ-CP of the Government's regular meeting in April 2001

RESOLUTION

Regular Meeting of the Government in April 2001

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On April 26 and the morning of April 27, 2001, the Government convened its regular meeting for April 2001 to discuss and adopt the following issues:

1. The Government approved additional reports on the implementation of the plan and state budget for 2000 and the deployment of tasks for 2001, presented by the Minister of Planning and Investment and the Minister of Finance.

The Government unanimously assessed that in 2000, the country managed to halt the decline and initially regained a relatively high economic growth rate. Overall, all indicators met and exceeded the targets. Among the 12 main indicators for socio-economic development in 2000, which were approved by the National Assembly, five indicators achieved higher levels than those reported in the report submitted to the tenth session of the National Assembly's eighth term, namely the GDP growth rate, the value-added growth rate of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, the industrial production value growth rate, the export turnover growth rate, and the poverty reduction rate. The actual implementation of state budget revenue and expenditure exceeded the figures reported to the National Assembly.

The Government has developed the Action Program for 2001; at the same time, it directed the urgent assignment of plans and guidance on implementing plans to ministries, sectors, and localities. Through four months of implementing the 2001 tasks, the economy continued to maintain a relatively high growth rate, agricultural production showed favorable trends; industry, exports, and foreign direct investment grew at a relatively high rate compared to the same period last year, state budget revenue reached a satisfactory level relative to the budget estimate. However, many difficulties still exist, consumer price indices, especially agricultural product prices, continue to show a downward trend, negatively affecting production and business operations and income of various social strata, particularly farmers; although there have been some improvements, social issues remain pressing.

The Government requests ministries, sectors, and localities to continue focusing on implementing the eleven specific tasks proposed by the National Assembly and the eight key solutions in the Government's Action Program, with emphasis on mechanisms, policies, and organizational measures to address difficulties in the consumption of agricultural products, particularly rice and coffee; accelerate exports and the progress of the basic construction investment plan, ensure sufficient funds for projects to be completed in 2001; implement stimulus measures through investment and consumption; concentrate on implementing the Poverty Eradication Program and the Program 135 for particularly difficult communes in mountainous areas and ethnic minority regions; urgently study and develop fundamental and long-term solutions for restructuring the economy in agriculture and rural areas, particularly in the Mekong Delta and the Central Highlands; effectively carry out social work, with particular attention to job creation programs; socialize education, healthcare, and physical culture; continue implementing measures to ensure political security and social safety.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance are tasked with incorporating the comments of government members, perfecting the Government's reports to be submitted to the National Assembly.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment, in collaboration with the Government Office, is responsible for drafting the Prime Minister's Decision on supplementing measures to manage the 2001 plan, to be submitted to the Prime Minister for signature and issuance.

2. The Government heard the Minister of Finance's presentation on the draft Ordinance on Income Tax for High-Income Individuals (amended), and listened to the Deputy Head of the Government Office's report summarizing the opinions of government members on the draft Ordinance.

Over the past ten years, income tax for high-income individuals has regulated a portion of their income, gradually contributing to social equity and increasing state budget revenues. However, this Ordinance still has some aspects that are not closely aligned with reality and require revision to meet current needs.

The Government agreed to approve this draft Ordinance. The Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with the Government Office and related agencies, is tasked with incorporating the comments of government members, perfecting the draft Ordinance, and reporting to the Prime Minister before submitting it to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

3. The Government approved the Decree on National Defense Education, presented by the Minister of National Defense.

4. The Government approved the Report on Inspection Work and Complaint Resolution in the First Quarter of 2001, presented by the State Inspector General.

In the first quarter of 2001, the State Inspectorate directed provincial and municipal inspectors, ministries, and sectors to develop inspection programs and plans for approval by their respective heads, focusing on promptly and conclusively resolving citizens' complaints and petitions, especially mass complaints, complex cases, and long-standing unresolved issues.

The Government requests the State Inspectorate to direct all levels and sectors to effectively implement the key tasks of the sector in 2001, with particular attention to pressing economic and social issues serving leadership and management requirements and cases assigned by the Prime Minister; review regulations on inspections and audits in each ministry and sector; prepare the conference on inspection and audit of enterprises to be chaired by the Government in 2001./.