Decision No. 07/2002/NQ-CP of the Government at the regular meeting of the Government in May 2002

RESOLUTION

Regular Meeting of the Government in May 2002

From May 27 to May 29, 2002, the Government convened its regular meeting for May, discussed and adopted the following issues:

1. The Government heard the Minister of the Government’s Organization and Cadre Department present the draft Plan to implement the Resolution of the Fifth Plenary Session of the Central Committee of the Party (Term IX) on reforming and improving the quality of the political system at the grassroots level in communes, wards, and towns.

The political system at the grassroots level is where all policies and guidelines of the Party and the State are directly implemented in daily life, and it is where the close ties between the Party, the State, and the people are deeply reflected. The strength of the grassroots political system is the solid foundation of our regime and an important factor ensuring the success of the renewal process.

The Plan to implement the Resolution of the Fifth Plenary Session of the Central Committee of the Party (Term IX) of the Government aims to concretize the major policies of the Party regarding reforming the content and methods of operation, rectifying organizations, and enhancing management effectiveness at the grassroots level, specifically: clearly defining the functions and tasks of grassroots authorities, reforming and enhancing the effectiveness of the operations of People's Councils and People's Committees; building a cadre corps and establishing policies for grassroots cadres; implementing decentralization and granting financial autonomy, gradually ensuring material conditions for the grassroots political system; continuing to perfect the regulations on grassroots democracy.

Ministries, sectors, and local administrative systems need to proactively study and understand the Resolution; based on the overall Plan, they should promptly develop local plans, coordinating synchronously with the plans of the Party's Central Committee and the Vietnam Fatherland Front in building the grassroots political system.

The Government’s Organization and Cadre Department is tasked with leading and actively coordinating with the Party's Central Organization Department, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, and relevant ministries and sectors, incorporating the opinions of Government members and attendees, refining this Plan, and submitting it to the Prime Minister for issuance in June 2002.

2. The Government heard the Minister of Planning and Investment present the draft Action Program of the Government to implement the Resolution of the Fifth Plenary Session of the Central Committee of the Party (Term IX) on continuing to reform, develop, and enhance the efficiency of collective economic entities; continuing to reform mechanisms and policies, encouraging, and creating favorable conditions for the development of private enterprises.

The Government affirms that non-state-owned economy is an important component of the country's economic structure and has made increasingly significant contributions to economic growth, exports, poverty reduction, and hunger eradication. Ministries, sectors, and localities must unify their understanding of the viewpoints on developing collective and private economies in the national renewal process according to Party Resolutions. This Action Program concretizes the Party's policy on developing a multi-sectoral economy, focusing on key tasks such as: continuing to establish a favorable institutional and psychological environment for the development of collective and private economies; amending and supplementing related legal documents; effectively implementing preferential policies on land, finance-credit, labor-wages, training, science and technology; supporting information, trade promotion, and investment.

Ministries, sectors, and localities, based on industry and regional development planning, should develop programs for the development of their respective industries and local economies; review and supplement mechanisms and policies to create favorable conditions and encourage the development of collective and private economies.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment is tasked with leading and coordinating with the Government Office and relevant agencies, incorporating the opinions of Government members, refining this Action Program Draft, and submitting it to the Prime Minister for issuance in June 2002.

3. The Government heard the Minister of Planning and Investment, Head of the Task Force for Implementing the Enterprise Law, report on the mid-term review of the implementation of the Enterprise Law over two years.

The Government assesses that after two years of implementation, the Enterprise Law has created a breakthrough in economic thinking and administrative reform, ensuring the right to engage in business activities under the law. During the implementation of the Law, the Government and ministries have issued relatively complete, synchronized, and timely guiding documents. The implementation of the Enterprise Law has stimulated and promoted the enthusiasm of the people, increased confidence in the Party and State's reform policies; been recognized both domestically and internationally as a bright spot in institutional reform; contributed to releasing productive forces, economic growth, exports, poverty reduction, and hunger eradication.

However, some guiding documents for implementing the Law were issued late or contained content inconsistent with the spirit of the Enterprise Law; understanding of the Law among sectors and levels was incomplete and inconsistent; the business environment post-registration has not improved significantly; the impact of the Law has not been uniform across regions and business sectors; some enterprises operate inefficiently and violate many rules, requiring timely handling and correction.

The Government agrees to adopt this Report and assigns the Ministry of Planning and Investment to lead and coordinate with the Government Office and relevant agencies, incorporate the opinions of Government members, refine the Report, send it to ministries, sectors, and localities for a comprehensive evaluation of the advantages and difficulties in implementing the Law. Based on this, the Ministry of Planning and Investment will draft a Directive from the Prime Minister to further promote the implementation of the Enterprise Law, submit it to the Prime Minister for consideration and issuance in June 2002.

4. The Government heard the Minister of Finance present the Draft Law on State Budget (Amendment); the Minister and Director of the Government Office reported on the consolidated opinions of Government members on this Draft Law.

After five years of implementing the State Budget Law, state budget activities have made significant progress, contributing importantly to economic and social development, and enhancing the country's financial capacity and potential. The results of revenue and expenditure have shown positive changes. State budget management has gradually become more systematic, proactive, and effective; there have been improvements in the organization, management, and operation of the state budget.

However, state budget activities still reveal some limitations such as: although revenue has increased significantly, it remains unstable; revenue loss is still substantial; budget expenditure is scattered, widespread, and wasteful; the burden of regular spending, especially salary expenses, is still heavy; the budget management mechanism still has many issues that need to be promptly addressed. Therefore, amending and supplementing the State Budget Law to meet current management requirements is extremely necessary.

The Ministry of Finance is assigned to take the lead, coordinate with the Government Office, the Ministry of Justice, and relevant agencies, incorporate opinions from government members, perfect the draft State Budget Law (amended), sign on behalf of the Prime Minister to submit for the National Assembly's opinion.

5. The Government heard the Minister of Finance's report on the draft Decree guiding the detailed implementation of the Fees and Charges Ordinance; the Minister, Head of the Government Office reported on consolidating opinions from government members regarding the draft Decree.

Fees and charges have existed in our country for a long time and have developed diversely. In recent times, the regulation and collection of fees and charges have still been arbitrary, lacking uniformity, leading to revenue loss or overcharging. Management and use of revenue from fees and charges have been lax, easily leading to corruption and causing public discontent. Therefore, issuing a Decree guiding the detailed implementation of the Fees and Charges Ordinance will contribute to restoring order in fee and charge management, strengthening discipline, and promoting the implementation of socialization policies in various public service sectors.

The Ministry of Finance is assigned to take the lead, coordinate with the Government Office to incorporate opinions from government members, perfect the draft Decree, submit to the Prime Minister for consideration and issuance in June 2002; simultaneously submit to the Prime Minister for issuance of a Directive on organizing the implementation of the Fees and Charges Ordinance and this Decree.

6. The Government heard the Minister of Planning and Investment's report on the situation of task completion in May and the first five months of 2002.

The economic and social situation in May and the past five months has improved: industrial and service production continued to grow; investment capital reached a satisfactory level; budget revenue increased, monetary activities showed a progressive trend; market prices were stable; political security and social order were maintained; cultural and social activities continued to develop... However, difficulties in the remaining months are still very large, particularly the severe drought in the Central Highlands, South Central Coast, and Southern regions, which has caused serious consequences; the ecological environment has been heavily polluted; forest fires and sudden floods in some areas have caused significant damage; export turnover has sharply decreased...

The Government requests ministries, sectors, and localities to focus on directing the implementation of Resolution No. 05/2002/NQ-CP dated April 24, 2002, on several measures to implement the socio-economic plan for 2002, addressing difficulties in business operations, mitigating the aftermath of natural disasters, and urgent social issues, striving to achieve the socio-economic development targets set forth. In the short term, all efforts should be concentrated on implementing measures to address difficulties in exports, especially improving product quality and competitiveness; organizing graduation and admission exams well; intensifying anti-crime and social evil campaigns; reducing traffic accidents; promoting poverty alleviation programs, and reinforcing schools in remote areas.

7. The Government discussed and provided opinions on the organizational structure of the Government for the term of the 11th National Assembly. The Government Organization and Cadre Affairs Commission is tasked with incorporating opinions from government members and further refining this proposal.