Decision No. 09/NQ-CP of the Government's regular monthly meeting in February 2009

RESOLUTION

The regular monthly meeting of the Government for February 2009

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On February 2 and 3, 2009, the Government convened its regular monthly meeting for February 2009 to discuss and adopt the following issues:

1. The Government discussed the reports on: the situation of the economy and society in February and the first two months of 2009, the forecast of the world and domestic economic situation; the results of implementing measures to prevent economic decline, maintain economic growth, and ensure social welfare; the report on monetary policy management and banking activities contributing to preventing economic decline; the report on macroeconomic conditions and issues related to stimulating the economy; the report on measures to ensure social welfare and the implementation results of the Decision supporting funding for poor households to celebrate the Year of the Ox; the report on administrative reform work in February; the report on the implementation of statistical procedures in ministries and localities; the report on the implementation of the February work program and the resolutions of the Government from the January 2009 meeting; the report on inspection, complaint resolution, and anti-corruption work in February 2009 presented by the Minister of Planning and Investment, the Minister of Finance, the Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam, the Chairman of the National Financial Supervisory Commission, the Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, the Minister of Home Affairs, the Chairman of the Government Office, and the Chief Inspector General.

a) Over the past two months, the global economy has continued to deteriorate significantly and in a complex manner, adversely affecting our national economy: industrial production has increased slightly; exports decreased in January and although there was an increase in February, it was not significant; services have declined, especially international tourist arrivals; state budget revenue has sharply decreased, remittances have been low; unemployment and underemployment have risen...

The Government assessed that despite many difficulties in February and the first two months of the year, the political and social situation remained stable. The people celebrated the Lunar New Year happily, warmly, and frugally, showing support for the policies of the Party and the Government.

The Government has focused on implementing comprehensive and resolute measures to achieve the set goals and tasks aimed at preventing economic decline, maintaining economic growth, stabilizing the macro-economy, and ensuring social welfare. As a result, the economic and social situation in February showed some positive signs: the macro-economy was basically stable, the balance of payments was balanced; the trade balance had a surplus; interest rate and exchange rate management were flexible and appropriate; the banking system maintained safety... A series of stimulus measures and investment policies have been actively directed and implemented, creating social consensus, with initial steps taken into practice through various financial and monetary policies such as tax exemptions and deferrals; guarantees for business loans; interest rate subsidies for businesses; promoting investment using central government funds, government bonds, preferential credit, and corporate capital; issuing government bonds denominated in foreign currencies on the domestic capital market; issuing policies to support workers who lost their jobs due to economic decline... Agriculture has developed favorably in crop cultivation, animal husbandry, and aquaculture. The value of key industries has increased. Social welfare assurance tasks have been strengthened; construction of schools and hospitals using government bond funds has been accelerated; the Prime Minister's decision to support funding during the Lunar New Year helped poor households celebrate the holiday joyfully and warmly. Resolution No. 30a/2008/NQ-CP dated December 27, 2008, on the Program to rapidly and sustainably reduce poverty in poor districts is being urgently implemented.

b) It is forecasted that the global financial crisis and economic recession will continue to worsen. The economic situation in the country in 2009 will remain challenging.

Given this situation, it is necessary to persistently pursue the objectives, and strongly direct efforts to prevent economic decline, maintain economic growth, stabilize the macro-economy, and ensure social welfare. The Government requests ministries, sectors, localities, and enterprises to continue implementing comprehensive measures to address difficulties in production and business operations, mobilize maximum resources for development, with a focus on:

- Effectively implementing the Government's stimulus package for investment and consumption to promote production and business operations, maintain stable development; strengthen inspections and strict supervision of implementation to avoid misalignment with objectives and misuse of resources, leading to waste.

- Concentrating on expanding export markets, promptly issuing policies to support trade promotion and exports; strictly controlling the trade deficit, and adopting appropriate policies to encourage domestic production and consumption.

- Accelerating the progress and disbursement of projects using investment funds, particularly focusing on the implementation and disbursement of state budget funds, government bonds, ODA, and FDI, especially projects related to electricity, transportation, water conservancy, education, healthcare, channel reinforcement, rural road development, infrastructure for aquaculture and rural craft villages; strengthening project progress meetings, especially land clearance, and promptly resolving obstacles hindering investment.

- Flexibly managing foreign currency exchange rates effectively to promote exports and control imports; ensuring the balance between supply and demand for foreign currencies.

- Closely monitor market prices; prevent a chain reaction of price increases that affect production, business operations, and people's livelihoods. The Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs shall strengthen inspections and urging to effectively implement social welfare policies already issued, particularly those concerning employment and living conditions. Promptly implement the tasks outlined in Resolution 30a/2008/NQ-CP of the Government regarding support for rapid and sustainable poverty reduction in poor districts. The Ministry of Finance and the State Bank must ensure sufficient funds for students to borrow. Localities shall re-examine and ensure accurate and adequate provision of Tet holiday assistance to poor households; strictly punish organizations and individuals with negative behaviors and corruption.

Direct the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to lead, coordinate with the National Ethnic Committee, the Ministry of Public Security, and localities to promptly inspect, report, and propose solutions regarding spontaneous migration.

- The Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Transport shall enhance patrols and strict enforcement against all violations of traffic safety regulations. The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism shall promptly submit regulations prohibiting the production, storage, transportation, sale, and burning of sky lanterns.

- Strengthen information dissemination and propaganda efforts. Proactively provide transparent information to create consensus throughout society and unite efforts to overcome difficulties. The Ministry of Information and Communications shall enhance management and implement effective measures to block and eliminate negative information on the Internet.

- Regarding implementation organization: Ministries, agencies, and localities must take responsibility seriously, focus on decisively implementing key tasks; pay attention to inspection, monitoring, and urging; timely propose policies and measures needed.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance shall prepare supplementary reports on the implementation of the socio-economic development plan and state budget for 2008; the progress of implementing the socio-economic development plan and state budget for 2009, to be submitted for the Politburo's comments by the end of March 2009, based on which they will continue to prepare for submission to the National Assembly at its upcoming fifth session.

2. The Government has discussed the Law and Ordinance Construction Program for 2010 and reviewed draft laws: Law on Militia Self-Defense, Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Articles of the State Budget Law, and the Law on Cryptographic Services, presented by the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Defense, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Interior, and the Chairman of the Government Office.

a) Regarding the Law and Ordinance Construction Program for 2010, the Government directs the Minister of Justice to incorporate opinions from the meeting, review, further refine, and promptly submit to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision.

The Government requires Ministers and Heads of agencies assigned to draft law and ordinance projects to personally direct closely, allocate appropriate time and resources, cooperate closely with National Assembly agencies, implement according to schedule, and ensure quality of law and ordinance projects for 2009 to be submitted to the National Assembly and the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

b) Regarding the Draft Law on Militia Self-Defense

Militia self-defense forces are an important component of the national armed forces, playing a very significant role in the cause of building and defending the country. Building militia self-defense forces is a crucial task in the military policy of the Party, a responsibility of the entire Party, the whole people, and the entire political system. However, up to now, the highest legal document on this force remains the Militia Self-Defense Ordinance (2004). Practical needs require it to be elevated to a law.

Direct the Ministry of Defense to lead, coordinate with the Ministry of Justice, the Government Office, and related agencies, incorporate opinions from Government members, complete the Draft Law on Militia Self-Defense; the Minister of Defense shall submit this draft law to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on behalf of the Prime Minister.

c) Regarding the Draft Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Articles of the State Budget Law

The State Budget Law (SBL) of 2002 took effect from the 2004 fiscal year. Over five years of implementation, the law has contributed to building a strong national financial foundation, increasing savings for industrialization and modernization of the country; promoting economic growth, political stability, improving people's lives, enhancing national defense and security capabilities... However, the SBL also reveals many limitations such as unstable state budget revenues, low efficiency of state budget expenditures, unsuitable mechanisms for managing the state budget and revenue decentralization... which need to be supplemented and amended soon.

Direct the Ministry of Finance to lead, coordinate with the Government Office and relevant agencies, incorporate opinions from the meeting, complete the Draft Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Articles of the State Budget Law; seek opinions from Government members; submit to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision on submitting to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

d) Regarding the Draft Law on Cryptographic Services

The Cryptographic Services Ordinance (2001) has been in effect for seven years. In recent years, the cryptographic organization system in Vietnam has been strengthened, consolidated, and developed to meet the requirements of information security serving leadership, guidance, and command by the Party, the State, and various levels from central to local; research, production, and use of encryption to protect state secrets have been promoted; the information security system has gradually become modernized; the treatment and policies for cryptographic staff have been given more attention... However, in the new period, the Cryptographic Services Ordinance has revealed many shortcomings in protecting operational secrets and commercial secrets; it does not clearly reflect the position of cryptographic activities like national defense and security; the organizational structure of cryptographic services, responsibilities, and roles of state management in cryptographic services at ministries, sectors, and provinces have not been clearly defined... Therefore, the construction and promulgation of the Cryptographic Services Law is very necessary.

Direct the Ministry of Home Affairs to lead, coordinate with the Government Office and relevant agencies, incorporate opinions from Government members, complete the Draft Law on Cryptographic Services; the Minister of Home Affairs shall submit this draft law to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on behalf of the Prime Minister./.