Decision No. 08/2001/NQ-CP of the Government's regular meeting in July 2001.

RESOLUTION

The regular session of the Government in July 2001.

On July 30 and 31, 2001, the Government convened its regular monthly session to discuss and adopt the following issues::

1. The Government discussed the Action Program of the Government to implement the Resolution of the Ninth National Party Congress, presented by the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

Based on the major viewpoints, policies, and guidelines recorded in the Political Report of the Central Committee of the Party at the Ninth National Congress, the Strategy for Socio-Economic Development during the 2001-2010 period, and the directions and tasks of the five-year plan from 2001 to 2005, the Government must affirm its determination to implement the Ninth Congress Resolution through its own Action Program with specific tasks and steps. The Action Program must reflect comprehensive, long-term, and overarching issues, focusing on key points such as structural transformation of the economy and policies and measures to enhance the competitiveness of individual enterprises and the entire economy, ensuring sustainable development; implementing reform measures to fully unleash productive capacity, making significant progress in education and science and technology, administrative reform, especially organizational restructuring, with the goal of improving the quality of socio-economic development; ensuring consistency with the Action Programs of the Party and State.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment is tasked to lead, coordinate with the Government Office and relevant agencies, incorporate opinions from Government members, finalize the Action Program of the Government to implement the Resolution of the Ninth National Party Congress, and submit it to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision regarding its presentation to the Central Committee.

2. The Government heard the Minister of Education and Training read the Proposal on the Strategy for the Development of Education and Training from 2001 to 2010.

The Government noted that over the past 15 years of renewal, the education and training sector has made significant progress in scale, quality, forms of training, and infrastructure; the level of public awareness has noticeably improved; the policy of socializing education has yielded initial results.

However, the quality of general education at all levels remains low. Students' and trainees' independent thinking, creativity, and practical skills are weak. The task of cultivating political qualities, ethics, and lifestyle has achieved low effectiveness. There are many inadequacies in infrastructure, teaching staff, educational methods, and teaching aids. The structure of training is unreasonable. Education and training in remote areas, ethnic minority regions are still very difficult. Negative phenomena and lack of discipline in education and training are quite common.

To meet the requirements of industrialization and modernization in the coming years, the Strategy for the Development of Education and Training needs to demonstrate the Government's high resolve through effective measures to improve the quality of education and training, correct deviations, quickly eliminate negative phenomena currently occurring, urgently reform examination systems, continue to promote the policy of socializing education, and strive to overcome backwardness compared to other countries in the region.

The Ministry of Education and Training is tasked to lead, coordinate with relevant agencies, incorporate opinions from Government members and participants, seek expert opinions, further supplement and complete the Draft Strategy, and submit it to the Government for approval.

For urgent issues in education and training that need immediate correction, such as commercialization in supplementary classes; textbook changes; negative and wasteful practices in examinations; admissions to universities and colleges... the Ministry of Education and Training must promptly issue or submit to the Prime Minister for issuance of relevant documents within its authority to organize implementation.

3. The Government heard the Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City present the Draft Regulation on Management and Development of Ho Chi Minh City; and heard the Minister and Head of the Government Office report on the consolidated opinions of ministries and sectors regarding the Draft Regulation.

The Government unanimously agreed that the content of the Regulation reflects the strong determination of Ho Chi Minh City in proposing and taking the lead in piloting many new mechanisms and policies to create a proactive and innovative environment in leveraging the city's potential for the country's overall development. Ho Chi Minh City holds a very important position in the country's development, thus requiring new mechanisms and policies to create conditions for the city to leverage its internal strength, take the lead in the reform process, and be commensurate with the city's position and role in the country and region. The management and development mechanism of the city must be consistent with the process of national reform and renewal, based on strong decentralization and maximum autonomy granted to the city, emphasizing collective and individual responsibility, while ensuring unified guidance and centralized management by the Government, and effectively utilizing the city's resources.

The Government agrees to decentralize certain areas under the authority of the Government and the Prime Minister to Ho Chi Minh City; expand the scope of activities in administrative reform that have been successfully piloted by the city with the Government's permission.

The People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City is tasked to lead, coordinate with the Government Office and relevant agencies, incorporate opinions from Government members, finalize the Decree on decentralization in certain areas to Ho Chi Minh City, and submit it to the Government for consideration and issuance in August 2001.

For new issues not yet regulated by Law and Ordinance but proposed by the city for pilot implementation, the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City is tasked to prepare specific proposals for each issue to be submitted to the Government for consideration, reported to the Politburo and the Standing Committee of the National Assembly for decision.

4. The Government has reviewed the draft Decree on the development of small and medium-sized enterprises submitted by the Ministry of Planning and Investment; listened to the Minister and Head of the Government Office's report summarizing the opinions of Government members regarding the draft Decree.

Directs the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Government Office, and related agencies to incorporate the opinions of Government members, continue soliciting their opinions on criteria for identifying small and medium-sized enterprises, forms of organization for assisting such enterprises, perfect the draft Decree, and submit it to the Prime Minister for review and decision.

5. The Government heard the State Inspector General's report on inspection work, complaint and denunciation resolution in the second quarter of 2001; reviewed the Report on the economic and social situation in July and the first seven months of 2001 by the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

The Government agrees to approve these Reports.

In July and the first seven months of the year, the country's economic and social situation continued to grow positively. In the agricultural sector, fisheries continued to develop strongly; dike repair and flood prevention efforts were carried out quickly, reducing many losses caused by natural disasters.

Industrial production increased by 14.2% compared to the same period last year. Tourism developed well, with revenue increasing by 15%. Cargo and passenger transport met production and travel needs. State budget revenue was satisfactory. Expenditures met timely budgetary tasks. In the past seven months, estimated direct foreign investment capital increased by 30% compared to the same period last year. Implementation of ODA programs and projects showed a more positive trend.

In the cultural and social sector, the education and training sector organized university and college entrance exams in 2001 better than previous years. Scientific research and environmental protection efforts were intensified, and key national science and technology programs were actively implemented. Employment resolution, healthcare services, and cultural information sectors showed significant positive changes.

However, floods in July caused significant damage in some regions. Particularly, product sales continued to be difficult mainly due to weak competitiveness, market contraction, and a general decline in purchasing power due to slow consumption of agricultural products by farmers and low income levels. Export performance did not meet expectations, with major export items increasing in quantity but with very low prices, leading to a decrease in export value. Investment credit volume and construction fund payment amounts fell far short of targets.

Tasks remaining in the last months of the 2001 plan are still heavy with many challenges and difficulties. The Government requests ministries, sectors, and localities to focus intensely on guidance and management, strictly implement economic and social management measures, rely on their own strength to overcome difficulties, proactively address issues, and successfully complete economic and social tasks for 2001, laying a foundation for success in the 2001-2005 five-year plan.