Resolution No. 10/1997/NQ-CP on the regular meeting of the Government in January 1997

 RESOLUTION

Regarding the regular meeting of the Government in January 1997

On January 29 and 30, 1997, the Government convened its regular monthly meeting to discuss the following issues:
1. The anti-crime program;
2. The plan of the Government to implement the Resolution of the Central Committee 2 on science, technology, education, and training;
3. To provide opinions on the Drafts:
- Law on the State Bank of Vietnam,
- Law on Banks and Credit Organizations;
4. The economic and social situation in January 1997 and the organization of the Year of the Boar (Tet);
5. The agenda for the regular meetings in February and March 1997.
Based on the reports of the Heads of the Programs and the discussions at the meeting, the Government

DECISION:

I. Regarding the Anti-Crime Program presented by Minister of Interior Le Minh Huong:

The Government considers that crime prevention is an urgent task, requiring a comprehensive action program and focused guidance from the Government to meet the demands of the entire population; however, this is a broad issue related to almost all areas of social life, thus it needs further research, clarifying the scope, content, and methods of implementation of the Program, identifying key targets and areas for focused guidance; specific and feasible measures must be proposed for each sector and level; there should be plans for coordinated actions, primarily extensive propaganda and education among the whole population and military, reaching every community and household; enhancing the management capacity of local authorities, especially at the commune and ward levels, and cleansing the state apparatus to effectively serve the struggle against crime.

The Government assigns the Ministry of Interior to incorporate the opinions from the meeting, finalize the Program, and submit it for the opinion of the Politburo in March 1997; simultaneously, coordinate with relevant agencies to draft government documents and implementation plans for the Program, so that immediately after the Politburo's opinion, the Prime Minister can issue a Decision.

In the meantime, require all governmental agencies and local authorities at all levels to strengthen guidance and implementation of Government Resolutions No. 05/CP and 06/CP on combating prostitution and drug abuse; Decrees No. 36/CP, 39/CP, and 40/CP on traffic order and safety; Decree No. 47/CP on weapon management; Directive No. 406/TTg of the Prime Minister and the Government's decision at the December 1996 meeting (Resolution No. 05/CP, January 11, 1997) on banning the production, transportation, sale, and burning of all types of fireworks; Decree No. 87/CP on strengthening the management of cultural activities and cultural services, eliminating serious social evils; at the same time, prepare conditions to implement two Ordinances on anti-corruption and thrift and anti-waste (after being approved by the Standing Committee of the National Assembly), aiming to create significant changes in social order and crime prevention.

II. Regarding the Implementation of the Resolutions of the Second Plenary Session of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (Eighth Congress).

1. Adoption of the Plan of the Government to Implement the Resolution of the Second Plenum on Education and Training, Science and Technology presented by Minister and Head of the Government Office Lai Van Cu.

To implement the above plan, require the agencies assigned to lead and coordinate to proactively and urgently develop specific programs to submit to the Prime Minister and the National Assembly; require all governmental agencies and People's Committees at all levels to effectively organize the implementation of the Central Resolution 2 and national documents on science, technology, education, and training in their respective sectors and regions.

From the beginning of the year, the Prime Minister directs closely and guides the Ministries of Education and Training, Science, Technology, and Environment to adjust the organizational structure of the ministries, allocate and strengthen staff for policy research, inspection, and supervision departments.

By the second quarter of 1997, the Government's Organizational and Cadre Department will cooperate with the Ministry of Education and Training, the Science and Education Commission, and the Party's Organizational Department to prepare for the Prime Minister to decide on establishing the National Education Council.

2. The Government heard the reports on the Action Plan of the Ministries of Science, Technology, and Environment, and Education and Training by Ministers Pham Gia Khiem and Tran Hong Quan regarding the implementation of the Central Resolution 2 and some policies and guidelines in the fields of science, technology, education, and training.

Require the two Ministries to incorporate the opinions from the meeting to develop specific programs to submit to the Government and the Prime Minister according to the schedule in the Government's Plan, quickly complete the Action Plan of the Ministries, and organize the implementation of tasks and measures outlined in the Plan to achieve good results in 1997.

III. The Government discussed the Draft Law on the State Bank of Vietnam and the Draft Law on Banks and Credit Organizations presented by Governor of the State Bank Cao Si Kiem.

These are important Draft Laws requiring careful consideration based on the summary of practical experience over ten years of renovation, six years of implementing banking ordinances, and rich global experience in monetary and credit matters; therefore, the Government assigns the agencies involved in drafting the Draft Laws to incorporate the opinions contributed at the meeting and base on the results of the poll to revise the Draft Laws. For important issues that have been largely agreed upon by most members of the Government but still have disagreements from other members, two options should be included in the Draft Laws to be submitted for review and decision by leading bodies. During the revision process, attention should be paid to avoiding contradictions with existing laws and clarifying the following contents:

- The functions and responsibilities of the Monetary Policy Council;

- The State Bank of Vietnam's temporary advance to the State Budget when revenue according to the budget estimate has not yet been collected;

- Financial income and expenditure, salaries, and bonuses of the State Bank;

- The role of the Ministry of Finance in supervising the funds and financial income and expenditure of the State Bank and state-owned commercial banks;

- Establishing branches of the State Bank by province or region.

- The legal status of foreign bank branches in Vietnam;

- Financial management mechanisms, accounting, and bookkeeping of banks and credit institutions;

- Position and authority of the banking inspectorate over the activities of banks and credit institutions;

- Relationship between the State Bank and commercial banks;... The two Draft Laws mentioned above must be completed and submitted to the Prime Minister before February 15, 1997.

IV. The Government heard Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Vo Hong Phuc report on behalf of Minister Tran Xuan Gia regarding the implementation of the January 1997 plan and Tet holiday organization; heard Deputy Minister of Finance Pham Van Trong report on behalf of Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung regarding the state budget revenue and expenditure situation for January 1997.

Economic conditions in January 1997 developed favorably with a relatively high growth rate; goods on the market were abundant, meeting the needs of the people before and during the Tet holiday; prices remained relatively stable. However, the development in January was not sufficient to create momentum for subsequent months; notably, the state budget revenue plan, basic construction, and rice exports were low, while imports exceeded exports significantly.

To accelerate the progress of implementing plans in the early months of the year, especially during the Tet holiday, it is required that government agencies and local authorities at all levels organize the implementation of the Government's decisions on the 1997 state budget and plan, organize a joyful, healthy, and frugal Tet holiday.

The Ministry of Trade must closely coordinate with the Ministry of Finance, General Customs Department, and related agencies at central and local levels to strengthen market management, combat smuggling and tax evasion, and fake goods production; increase state budget revenue; implement measures to adjust import tariffs, limit deferred payment imports,... to control the trade deficit; closely coordinate between production guidance and domestic product consumption with import and export activities, balance money and goods, and prevent price fluctuations before and after the Tet holiday. Government agencies and People's Committees at all levels must complete the allocation of basic construction plans to grassroots units immediately in February 1997; the Finance and Banking sectors must timely transfer capital according to the construction schedule; simultaneously, there should be a plan to utilize the Investment Support Fund to support effective enterprises facing capital difficulties.

The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development must cooperate with relevant agencies and local People's Committees to accurately grasp the food shortage situation in each area, encourage mutual assistance among the people, and promptly provide relief to households experiencing severe food shortages, ensuring that no one goes hungry due to lack of food during the Tet holiday; at the same time, promote short-term crop planting in the winter season, use construction funds from the central and local budgets to build water conservancy projects, roads, forests,... to create jobs and income for idle rural laborers, contributing to alleviating food shortages during the lean period.

The Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Transport, and the Ministry of Culture and Information must cooperate with relevant departments and localities to guide the implementation of specific plans to ensure convenient travel for the people, healthy cultural activities, and the prevention of superstitious and illegal activities; promptly and strictly punish violations of the law, particularly those concerning the prohibition of producing, transporting, selling, and setting off all types of fireworks; contribute to maintaining political security and social order and safety.

V. The Government decides on the agenda for regular meetings in February and March 1997 as follows:

1. The regular meeting in February will take place on February 26-27, 1997, to discuss the following issues:

- Some mechanisms for domestic investment capital mobilization (supplementing and amending Decree No. 29/CP dated May 12, 1995; regulations on BOT investment methods: Build - Operate - Transfer within the country; mechanisms for forming and managing non-state budget investment funds; solutions to continue the shareholding reform of state-owned enterprises);

- Summarizing the work of the Government during the term of the Ninth National Assembly;

- Providing opinions on draft laws: Education Law, Anti-Drug Ordinance, Lawyer Organization Ordinance, Coast Guard Ordinance.

2. Assign the Ministries of Culture and Information, Education and Training, and Health to lead the preparation of proposals to promote socialization in cultural, educational, and health fields; the Government's Organizational and Cadre Management Office to lead the preparation of a proposal on administrative reform for the Third Plenum; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the State Inspectorate, and the Ministry of Justice to prepare draft ordinances: International Treaty Signing and Implementation (amended), Resource Tax, Inspection to be presented to the Government at the regular meeting in March.

3. Require the leading agencies to urgently prepare the proposals, widely seek opinions from relevant agencies, experts, and interested parties. The proposals must be completed and submitted to the Prime Minister ten days before the Government meeting.

This Resolution was adopted by the Government at 16:00 on January 30, 1997.