Decision No. 07/1999/NQ-CP of the Government's regular meeting in June 1999

RESOLUTION

Regular Meeting of the Government in June 1999

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 On July 5 and 6, 1999, the Government convened its regular meeting for June 1999 to discuss and adopt the following issues:

1. Adoption of the Report on Measures to Implement Economic-Social Tasks in the Last Six Months of 1999 presented by Minister Tran Xuan Gia of the Ministry of Planning and Investment, supplemented with opinions from representatives attending the meeting and concluding remarks by Prime Minister Phan Van Khai. The Government Office is instructed to coordinate with the Ministry of Planning and Investment and relevant agencies to incorporate the opinions expressed during the meeting, finalize the above report into a Resolution of the Government on measures to implement tasks in the last six months of 1999, paying particular attention to detailing and ensuring the feasibility of action programs according to seven major solutions that the Government has commented on, to be submitted to the Prime Minister for signature and issuance before July 15, 1999.

The Government requests Ministers and Heads of government-affiliated agencies to base their work programs on the above Resolution to effectively fulfill tasks in the last six months of 1999. Members of the Government assigned to oversee localities are responsible for helping these localities understand the spirit of this meeting, accurately assess the economic-social situation in the first six months of the year, closely monitor and promptly grasp the situation, and set goals to achieve success in the last six months of 1999.

2. Adoption of the Report Summarizing Five Years of Implementation of Resolution No. 38/CP dated May 4, 1994 of the Government on Reforming Administrative Procedures in Handling Citizens' and Organizations' Affairs presented by Minister and Head of the Government Office Doan Manh Giao. The Government agrees with the assessment that over five years of implementing Resolution No. 38/CP, the Government, Ministries, sectors, and localities have achieved some good results: a significant number of normative legal documents on administrative procedures have been revised and issued; at the same time, outdated documents have been reviewed and abolished, contributing to improving the administrative system suitable for the new mechanism; promoting innovation in working relationships, methods, and work styles within the administrative system at all levels... Selecting administrative procedures in seven key areas as breakthroughs in administrative reform was appropriate. The impact of implementing these breakthroughs not only lies in reducing inconvenience for citizens and businesses but also reveals weaknesses that need to be addressed, such as inadequacies in the institutional system and policies; irrationalities in the operation of the administrative apparatus, and deficiencies in the civil service.

The Government affirms the need to continue intensifying the administrative reform process, viewing this as a continuous and regular task of the state machinery. The Government should develop a long-term program for administrative reform. In the short term, during the period 1999-2000, efforts should focus on reviewing to clearly define the functions, responsibilities, and authorities of each agency, organization, level of government, and individual within the state machinery; simultaneously reforming salary policy to create motivation to overcome stagnation, ensuring better results in the administrative reform process, contributing positively to economic and social development.

3. After listening to Minister and Head of the Government Office Doan Manh Giao's presentation on the summary of opinions from Government members regarding the draft "Government Decree on Policies Encouraging Socialization in Educational, Health, Cultural, and Sports Services" proposed by Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung of the Ministry of Finance and the draft "Government Decree detailing and guiding the implementation of the Law on Petitions and Complaints" proposed by State Inspector General Ta Huu Thanh, the Government agreed to adopt both draft Decrees.

The Ministry of Finance and the State Inspectorate are instructed to cooperate with the Government Office and related agencies to incorporate the opinions of Government members, finalize the two Decrees, and submit them to the Prime Minister for signature and issuance in July 1999.

4. The Government adopted the proposal of the State Bank of Vietnam and the Government Office to establish a National Advisory Council on Monetary Policy to advise the Government on decisions concerning monetary policy tasks and powers of the Government as stipulated in the Law on the State Bank of Vietnam.

The Government Office is instructed to lead and coordinate with the State Bank of Vietnam to submit to the Prime Minister for signature and issuance a Decision establishing this Council based on supplementing the tasks and composition of the National Financial-Monetary Council as specified in Decision No. 23/1998/QD-TTg dated January 31, 1998 of the Prime Minister.

5. At this meeting, Minister and Head of the Government Office Doan Manh Giao reported to the Government on "The Inspection Report on Guidance, Management, and Implementation of the Government Work Regulations in the First Six Months of 1999."

In the first six months of 1999, the Government focused on comprehensive, in-depth, and targeted guidance and management; timely proposing appropriate decisions to implement the work program; there were positive changes in work styles across many fields. However, there are still pressing issues such as inter-sector coordination in handling cross-sectoral issues, formulating and implementing work programs, administrative reform, institutional building, and inspection of implementation, information reporting, etc., which have not seen much positive change.

The Government requests Ministries, sectors, and localities to conduct inspections, draw lessons, and organize the implementation of the Work Regulations well. Ministers and Heads of ministerial-level agencies and Heads of government-affiliated agencies should closely coordinate with the Government Office to review and adjust their work programs for the last six months of the year; simultaneously review and adjust their monthly work programs in a timely manner; and have specific plans to immediately organize the implementation of the content of assigned projects according to schedule.