Decision No. 09/2005/NQ-CP of the Government's regular meeting in July 2005

RESOLUTION

Regular Meeting in July 2005

During two days, July 28 and 29, 2005, the Government convened its regular monthly meeting in July, discussed and adopted the following issues:

1. The Government heard the report from the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on the Key Program for Developing and Applying Biotechnology in Agriculture and Rural Development until 2020.

In recent years, biotechnology worldwide has developed strongly and achieved remarkable achievements. In the agricultural sector, biotechnology has brought significant benefits through the creation of new crop and livestock varieties, production of biological fertilizers, plant protection products, vaccines for livestock, bio-products for processing and preserving agricultural products, environmental treatment...

Vietnam is a developing country with a large proportion of agricultural products, therefore, biotechnology plays a particularly important role. However, biotechnology in the agricultural sector in our country still has many limitations and is at a low level compared to the world and the region. Developing and applying biotechnology is a breakthrough step in the industrialization and modernization of agriculture to catch up with other countries in the world and the region in terms of biotechnology in the agricultural sector, creating competitiveness for Vietnamese agriculture in the context of global economic integration, making a significant contribution to promoting production development, improving people's living standards, and protecting the environment. Research and application of biotechnology require state investment, while encouraging the participation of various economic sectors.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is assigned to lead, coordinate with the Government Office and relevant agencies, incorporate the opinions of government members, finalize the content of the Program, and submit it to the Prime Minister for approval. The Program needs to provide an objective assessment of the level of biotechnology as well as Vietnam's advantages compared to other countries in the region and the world; emphasize the view that from now until 2020, Vietnam will mainly focus on researching and applying biotechnology; at the same time, determine the roadmap and key research objectives in each phase, clearly indicate how to organize and implement the set goals, and clarify the responsibilities of ministries, sectors, research institutes, and scientists to ensure the feasibility of the Program.

2. The Government heard the presentation from the Minister of Education and Training on the Project for Reforming Higher Education in Vietnam (2006-2020).

Vietnamese higher education in recent times has made significant contributions to training high-quality human resources for the country. However, in response to current requirements for socio-economic development and international economic integration, higher education needs to be reformed to meet the demand for training human resources to serve the cause of industrialization and modernization of the country and the learning needs of the people.

The Government agrees to approve the basic content of the Project and the establishment of a National Steering Committee to organize the implementation of the Project.

The Ministry of Education and Training is assigned to lead, coordinate with the Government Office and relevant agencies, incorporate the opinions of government members, complete the Project in a way that connects the work contents proposed for the period 2006-2020 with specific timelines aligned with five-year plans; supplement more detailed requirements and content for postgraduate and advanced studies to build a high-quality human resource team to implement the "shortcut, leading-edge" strategy; have solutions to mobilize resources, promote socialization in higher education, and improve the quality of higher education; draft a special resolution of the Government on reforming higher education in Vietnam for the period 2006-2020, to be submitted to the Prime Minister in August 2005.

3. The Government reviewed the projects: Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Special Consumption Tax Law and the Value Added Tax Law; Cinema Law; Real Estate Business Law; Foreign Exchange Ordinance; Standardization Ordinance.

The State Bank of Vietnam is assigned to lead, coordinate with the Government Office, the Ministry of Justice, and relevant agencies, incorporate the opinions of government members, and complete the Standardization Ordinance project. The Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam, acting on behalf of the Prime Minister, will submit this Ordinance project to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

The Ministries of Finance, Culture, Information and Tourism, Construction, Science and Technology are assigned to coordinate with the Government Office, the Ministry of Justice, and relevant agencies, incorporate the opinions of government members, and complete the draft Laws and Ordinances they are responsible for drafting, to be submitted to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision to submit to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

The Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Special Consumption Tax Law and the Value Added Tax Law was drafted and promulgated at a sensitive time to serve negotiations for joining the World Trade Organization, so the Law must be consistent with Vietnam's commitments to countries and international organizations; adjustments to certain tax rates must ensure that they do not negatively impact Vietnam's investment environment, while encouraging domestic production and business investment and not causing significant fluctuations in state budget revenue.

4. The Government reviewed the Report on the Results of Production, Business, Export and Import, Investment in July and the Socio-Economic Situation in the First Seven Months of 2005 presented by the Ministry of Planning and Investment; the Report on Trade in July and the First Seven Months of 2005 presented by the Ministry of Trade; the Report on Inspection Work in the First Six Months of 2005 and Inspection Tasks for the Last Six Months of 2005 presented by the Government Inspectorate.

The socio-economic situation in our country in July continued to develop positively: industrial production achieved a relatively high growth rate; agricultural production was stable; the service sector increasingly met better the needs of production and people's lives, consumption and prices of agricultural and aquatic products continued to improve; exports continued to grow, with markets being diversified; foreign investment reached a satisfactory level; budget revenue and expenditure were on schedule; prices of most essential goods remained stable; social activities were active: university and college entrance exams were well organized, preparations for the new school year were carried out urgently, health care and protection, employment resolution, and traffic order and safety showed positive changes; inspection and supervision work was strengthened; social security was stable.

In the last months of the year, to achieve the socio-economic development goals for 2005, the Government requests ministries, sectors, and localities to effectively implement the Government's and Prime Minister's directives, especially the measures outlined in Resolution No. 01/2005/NQ-CP dated January 14, 2005, and Directive No. 999/TTg-KTTH dated July 20, 2005, of the Prime Minister, aimed at boosting production, business, exports, accelerating the implementation progress of investment projects, and disbursing construction funds from the state budget, continuing to attract domestic and foreign investment for socio-economic development, curbing inflation, developing social activities, ensuring national defense and public order and security. Ministries, sectors, and localities need to strengthen inspection and supervision work, particularly for bridge, road, irrigation, and other key projects, identifying difficulties and obstacles during the implementation process to promptly address them; at the same time, proactively deal with new difficulties that may arise such as increases in input material prices, natural disasters, floods, and disease risks.

The Ministry of Trade is assigned to take the lead, coordinate with the 127 Steering Board, the Ministry of Public Security, and relevant agencies to organize the implementation of comprehensive measures to prevent smuggling of gasoline and oil from Vietnam to neighboring countries along shared borders and at sea./.