Decision No. 08/2000/NQ-CP of the Government's regular meeting in May 2000

RESOLUTION

The regular monthly meeting of the Government in May 2000

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On May 31 and June 1, 2000, the Government convened its regular monthly meeting for May 2000 to discuss and adopt the following issues:

The Government heard the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development present the draft proposal on promoting the consumption of agricultural products linked with restructuring the agricultural economy to continue developing agricultural production and increasing income for farmers.

In recent years, agricultural production in the country has achieved notable results, satisfying basic food needs for the entire population, ensuring national food security, rapidly increasing the rate of agricultural product commercialization, and affirming the position of certain agricultural export products in the global market. However, currently, agricultural production in the country is facing significant challenges, particularly in the area of product consumption, which is encountering difficulties. Ministries, sectors, localities, and producers all share responsibility for finding solutions, especially those related to market search strategies. To fundamentally address this situation, it is necessary to accurately assess domestic and international market conditions, and on that basis, restructure agricultural production to align with market demands, ensuring both domestic consumption and export orientation while reducing imports; implementing comprehensive technical, management, and policy measures to enhance production efficiency and product quality, and increase the proportion of processed agricultural products.

The Government assigned the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to lead, together with relevant ministries and sectors, to incorporate the opinions of government members, finalize the proposal and the draft Resolution of the Government on this issue, and submit them to the Prime Minister for signature and promulgation.

Assign ministries, sectors, and localities to direct enterprises engaged in agricultural product exports and processing across various economic components, particularly state-owned enterprises, to develop plans and proactively enter into sales contracts with agricultural producers. Assign the Ministry of Finance to coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Fisheries, the Ministry of Trade, and other relevant ministries and sectors to study and formulate investment support policies from the Development Support Fund for export-oriented processing enterprises, to be submitted to the Prime Minister for consideration and approval. Assign the Ministry of Finance to lead, in coordination with relevant ministries and sectors, to study and formulate proposals for establishing a Credit Guarantee Fund along with accompanying policies and solutions so that small and medium-sized enterprises and farming households with large capital needs can obtain loans from banks to develop their production. The Government requests industry associations to quickly reform their organizational structures and operational methods to fully leverage their roles in production, processing, and product consumption. Assign the Ministry of Finance to lead, in coordination with relevant ministries and sectors, to establish regulations encouraging industry associations to voluntarily establish Export Insurance Funds for each type of commodity based on self-management and self-responsibility for the effectiveness of operations.

The Government heard the Minister of Science, Technology, and Environment present the proposal for the development of the software industry for the period 2000-2005. The Government noted that the software industry is one of the high-tech sectors with potential that requires special attention for development. In recent years, achievements in the field of information technology nationwide have laid the foundation for building and developing the software industry. However, to transform this new industry into a leading economic sector with sustainable growth and high growth rates, many difficulties and challenges must still be overcome. The Government established a legal framework and implemented preferential policies to encourage human resource training, investment, and market expansion to develop the software industry. At the same time, creating conditions for all enterprises across various economic components and private entities to participate in the software production program, taking proactive steps in the process of industrialization and modernization of the country, making important contributions to ensuring national security.

Assign the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment to lead, in coordination with the Ministries of Finance, Industry, Justice, and the Government Office, to incorporate the opinions of government members and complete the following tasks:

Finalize the draft Resolution of the Government on the development of the software industry for the period 2000-2005, to be submitted to the Prime Minister for consideration and promulgation at an early date.

Finalize the implementation plan for building and developing the software industry for the period 2000-2005 to be submitted to the Government for approval in the third quarter of 2000. The content of the plan must be linked to the assessment of the implementation results of Decision 49/CP in recent years and the plan for continued development of information technology in the coming years.

Draft the Prime Minister's Decision on preferential policies to build and develop the software industry, to be submitted to the Prime Minister for promulgation in June 2000.

The Government heard the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development present three Ordinances: the Flood and Storm Prevention Ordinance (revised), the Water Conservancy Works Exploitation and Protection Ordinance (revised), and the Dike Ordinance (revised); and heard the Minister, Head of the Government Office present a report summarizing the opinions of government members on the above three Ordinance drafts.

Assign the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to lead, in coordination with the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Finance, and the Government Office, to incorporate the opinions of government members, finalize the above Ordinances, and submit them to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision on submitting them to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

The Government heard the Minister of Planning and Investment present reports on "The Economic and Social Situation in May and the First Five Months of 2000" and "The Implementation of the Enterprise Law in the First Five Months of 2000".

The economic and social situation in May and the first five months of the year continued to show positive changes in several important areas, with industrial production, agriculture, and import-export activities increasing significantly, and state budget revenue reaching a satisfactory level. There were some improvements in cultural and social activities. A more transparent and favorable business environment has fostered trust and encouraged non-state economic sectors to boldly expand investment and business operations. However, there remain some unfavorable aspects in the economic and social situation, notably slow consumption of agricultural products, continuing price declines, low levels of basic construction investment, and persistent social ills that have yet to be effectively addressed.

In directing and managing economic and social development tasks from now until the end of the year, the Government requests that ministries, sectors, and localities thoroughly implement stimulus measures, accelerate production and business activities, and pay particular attention to the following issues:

Focus on guiding the implementation, resolving difficulties and obstacles, speeding up construction progress, and disbursement progress for basic construction projects, especially those that must commence this year and early next year, as well as those that must be completed in 2000 and early 2001.

Concentrate on addressing difficulties in product sales, particularly agricultural products, establishing long-term contract mechanisms between export and processing enterprises and agricultural producers. Gradually address the separation between production and consumption; reorganize market information work; and ensure that industry associations contribute more positively to promoting production, processing, and consumption of goods by their member enterprises.

Vigorously implement the Enterprise Law, continue to abolish licenses that hinder production and business activities, and strictly enforce registration regulations. Timely announce and guide the business conditions of certain industries and trades that require them after the removal of business licenses.

Strengthen administrative discipline, strictly adhere to government policies and directives. Reform and improve inspection and supervision work, particularly specialized inspection and supervision work.