Decision No. 11/2000/NQ-CP On certain measures to manage the plan for economic and social development in the last six months of 2000

             RESOLUTION of the Government

On some measures to manage the socio-economic development plan for the last six months of 2000.

From July 12 to 14, 2000, the Government convened its regular sessions for June and July 2000 to discuss several policies and measures needed to focus on managing the socio-economic development plan for the last six months of 2000.

To achieve a higher economic growth rate in the last six months of 2000 compared to the first half of 2000, in addition to existing solutions, from now until the end of 2000, the Government decides to concentrate on implementing the following four groups of solutions:

I. MEASURES TO PROMOTE PRODUCTION

1.The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, together with relevant ministries, agencies, and localities, quickly implement Resolution No. 03/2000/NQ-CP dated February 2, 2000, of the Government on farm economy and Resolution No. 09/2000/NQ-CP dated June 15, 2000, of the Government on restructuring the agricultural economic structure and marketing agricultural products, particularly focusing on guiding rice exports well. Continue purchasing temporary storage of one million tons of rice for export according to the previous plan and purchase an additional 400,000 tons of rice, with all this rice being subsidized interest rates until the end of October 2000.

Relevant sectors and localities urgently carry out inspections of dykes, embankments, sluices, and handle weak points; develop specific plans to prevent and combat floods and storms, ensuring the safety of dykes and embankments, people's safety, and production; have plans to relocate residents in areas frequently affected by severe natural disasters to minimize losses to the lowest extent possible when incidents occur.

Focus efforts on combating early floods occurring in the southern provinces of the Mekong Delta, assist regions facing difficulties. In the last six months of 2000, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will lead coordination with the Ministry of Fisheries and the Ministry of Planning and Investment to submit to the Government the planning for developing the agricultural sector towards utilizing comparative advantages and meeting domestic market demands and export requirements.

2.The Ministry of Trade takes measures and guides relevant ministries, sectors, and enterprises to find new markets for exporting foodstuffs, including deferred payment exports; expand export markets for aquatic products, textile products, handicrafts, artworks, and other consumer goods to the EU, Middle East, North Africa, and Cuba in accordance with government commitments; actively prepare conditions and plans to exploit the US market.

3.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinates with the Ministry of Trade to direct overseas diplomatic missions and trade representatives of Vietnam to foreign countries to investigate and seek new markets, promptly provide timely information about local merchants and market demands, better serving the import and export business activities of domestic enterprises.

4.The State Bank of Vietnam directs commercial banks to closely monitor rural markets, resolve difficulties and obstacles, continue lending farmers capital for aquaculture and livestock breeding (especially shrimp farming for export), planting industrial crops and fruit trees, developing farm economies, village industries, small and medium-sized enterprises. When natural disasters cause significant damage, measures should be taken to freeze debts to allow further loans.

5.The Ministry of Industry leads relevant ministries and sectors to evaluate the implementation of the mechanical support program in recent times, propose organizational and institutional mechanisms to mobilize funds to boost mechanical production in the future.

For mechanical enterprises to borrow credit from the Development Support Fund at a preferential interest rate of 3.5% (half of the state credit interest rate), with a loan period of 12 years, no interest paid in the first two years, and repayment starting from the fifth year. Assign the Ministry of Industry to lead coordination with the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Finance, and the Development Support Fund to announce the list of mechanical products eligible for the above-mentioned preferential treatment.

Relevant ministries, sectors, and localities should consider and select products with advantages and development potential such as cement, steel, construction materials, footwear, ready-made garments, small power machinery, consumer machinery, household electronics, etc.; quickly propose support measures to expand production. Find ways to intensify oil and gas exploitation to achieve the planned production targets set at the beginning of the year. .

e.The General Department of Customs leads coordination with the Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of Public Security, related sectors, and provincial People's Committees to develop effective measures to combat smuggling and fraudulent trade, focusing on the quality inspection of imported goods; clearly define responsibilities for inspecting and controlling border gates on land and at sea. By the third quarter of 2000, the General Department of Customs will submit these measures to the Prime Minister for consideration.

7.By August 2000, the Ministries of Industry, Science, Technology and Environment, Public Security, Culture and Information, Agriculture and Rural Development, Education and Training will submit to the Prime Minister for issuance the list of specific prohibited businesses; the Ministries of Justice, Health, Agriculture and Rural Development, Construction, Finance, and the Securities Commission will issue regulations on issuing professional certificates to implement the Enterprise Law.

Before October 1, 2000, relevant ministries and sectors will announce the list of businesses that require conditions stipulated by laws, decrees, and ordinances, along with corresponding business conditions for each type of business; simultaneously, they will announce regulations on application forms, procedures, conditions, competent authorities for issuing permits, validity periods, and fees for each type of permit.

In the third quarter of 2000, the State Inspectorate will lead coordination with relevant ministries and sectors to study amendments and supplements to specialized inspection regulations to align with the Enterprise Law and regularly conduct post-registration business inspections to ensure compliance with business conditions without causing undue inconvenience to enterprises.

8.Ministries, sectors, and localities that have not yet completed their plans for state enterprise restructuring need to urgently complete these plans for submission to the Prime Minister.

Vigorously promote the process of shareholding and other forms of transfer, leasing, and renting for state-owned enterprises with small scales and operating losses.

9. The Ministry of Construction shall take the lead in coordinating with the State Bank of Vietnam and relevant agencies to develop a mechanism for installment sales of housing. to be submitted to the Prime Minister.

10. The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam shall focus on improving service quality for passengers and addressing delays and flight cancellations.

II. MEASURES TO ACCELERATE THE PROGRESS OF INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT

1. Ministers of Ministries, Heads of Government Agencies, and Chairpersons of Provincial People's Committees directly under the Central Government shall promptly implement and allocate the additional capital according to Decision No. 568/QĐ-TTg dated June 28, 2000 of the Prime Minister and Notification No. 77/BKH-TH dated June 30, 2000 of the Ministry of Planning and Investment and submit the allocation plan to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Finance for monitoring and as a basis for disbursement.

heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of agencies under the Government,Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities shallbe responsible for implementing this Decree./. Heads of Government Agencies and Chairpersons of Provincial People's Committees directly under the Central Government shall be responsible for utilizing all investment development capital (capital according to the annual plan and additional capital). In cases where it is deemed that the allocated capital cannot be fully utilized, they must propose the reallocation of funds to other projects and not carry over to 2001. The MinistryMinistry of Science and Technology of Planning and Investment shall decide on the reallocation of funds based on proposals from Ministries, sectors, and localities.

2. Focus on directing, managing, and allocating sufficient capital to accelerate the progress of construction to complete within the year 2000 and early 2001 several important projects: National Highway 1 (sections Hanoi-Vinh, Ho Chi Minh City-Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City-CantTho, Hanoi-Lang Son), Terminal T1 Noi Bai Airport, Da Nang Airport, Haiphong Port (Phase 1), Sai Gon Port, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) pipeline - storage - port (part of the Bach Ho gas system), project to restore irrigation systems and flood control (Chu River, Bac Nghe An, Hanoi dyke), project to restore the Red River Delta irrigation system (ADB2), project AZun Ha, sea dyke in the Mekong Delta, Song Tiem Reservoir, Truoi Reservoir, An Ma Reservoir, Cam Ranh Reservoir, Viet An Reservoir, upgrading Phu Ninh Reservoir (Phase 1), flood discharge and salinity prevention works in the Long Xuyen Quadrangle (Luong Lon 2 Canal, Cau Number 9 Channel, T3-Ba Hon System, coastal irrigation system), Ya Ly Hydroelectric Power Plant (Unit 2), Ham Thuan-Da Mi Hydroelectric Power Plant, Nghia Son Cement Plant, Hoang Mai Cement Plant, Bach Mai Hospital, Thong Nhat Hospital, Hue Central Hospital, Thai Nguyen General Hospital, Hanoi National University (Phase 1), National Defense Academy, training program for scientific and technical cadres at overseas training institutions using state budget, etc... Ho Chi Minh City - Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho, Hanoi - Lang Son), Terminal 1 Noi Bai Airport, Da Nang Airport, Hai Phong Port (Phase 1), Sai Gon Port, pipeline - storage - LPG terminal (part of the Bach Ho gas system), project to restore irrigation systems and flood control (Chu River system in Bac Nghe An, Hanoi dike), project to restore the Red River Delta irrigation system (ADB2), AZun Ha project, Mekong Delta sea dyke, Song Tim Lake, Truoi Lake, An Ma Lake, Cam Ranh Lake, Ca Giay Lake, Viet An Lake, upgrading Phu Ninh Lake (Phase 1), flood drainage and salinity prevention works in the Long Xuyen Quadrangle (Lung Lon 2 Canal, Bridge Number 9 Canal, T3-Ba Hon System, coastal irrigation system), Ya Ly Hydropower Plant (Unit 2), Ham Thuan - Da Mi Hydropower Plant, Nghi Son Cement Plant, Hoang Mai Cement Plant, Bach Mai Hospital, Thong Nhat Hospital, Hue Central Hospital, Thai Nguyen General Hospital, Hanoi National University (Phase 1), National Defense Academy, training program for scientific and technical cadres at overseas training institutions using state budget funds, etc...overseas.

Prepare all necessary conditions to start construction or prepare for commencement of several important projects in 2000 and early 2001: Hai Van Tunnel, Can Tho Bridge, Thanh Tri Bridge, Bai Chay Bridge, Binh Bridge, Rao Quan Project, Ta Trach Project, Dinh Binh Reservoir, Ba Lai Dam, Thao Long, Cuu Dat, Irrigation System in the Mekong Delta (WB2), Bim Son Cement Plant renovation, new Hai Phong Cement Plant, National Sports Complex, Television Program Production Center, Satellite TV Transmission Center, Agricultural Seed System, Can Don Power Plant, Na Duong Power Plant, Nam Con Son Gas Field...

3. The Minister of Finance shall instruct customs authorities to simplify procedures for exporting types of cultural products that are not prohibited according to the Law on Customs dated June 29, 2001 and this Decree. In cases where the content of cultural products needs to be determined, the competent customs authority must request an appraisal from the competent specialized management agency regarding the content of cultural products. The Ministry of Finance and localities shall temporarily advance 60% - 70% of the remaining construction and installation capital of the 2000 plan for projects funded by the state budget (including national program funds); once the work volume is completed, the project owner must immediately organize inspection and proceed with payment procedures; upon receipt of the price list from the project owner, the funding agency shall immediately process payment, if there are any issues, temporarily pay 70 - 80% of the completed work volume in the plan, and after resolving the issues, continue to pay the remaining amount.

4. In the third quarter of 2000, the Ministry of Planning and Investment shall take the lead in working with the Ministry of Finance to find additional sources to supplement capital for some important projects, and conduct preparatory work for major projects in subsequent years.

5. The Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, Transport, Industry, and the Vietnam Electricity Corporation shall coordinate with localities to develop plans for land clearance, Chairpersons of Provincial People's Committees related to this matter shall be responsible for quickly implementing relocation and resettlement and handling obstacles to clear land for construction of projects, especially for ODA projects listed below: Project to restore irrigation systems and flood control, Red River Delta irrigation project, central region irrigation restoration project and Hoc Mon - Bac Binh Chanh project (at Dong Hung Pumping Station, Tho Son Canal, Nghi Phu, Nghi Duc); project to renovate and develop the Hanoi-Hai Phong-Nam Dinh power grid, cities, towns; National Highway 1 (sections Hanoi-Lang Son, Phap Van-Van Dien section), Hanoi urban transport project, Hanoi drainage project, first phase of Hanoi urban infrastructure project, project to restore bridges on National Highway 1A (Bac Giang Bridge, Tan Thinh Bridge, Dap Cau Bridge, Duong Bridge).

6. The Land Administration General Department shall improve and reduce land allocation procedures, transfer, or lease land to create favorable conditions for enterprises needing land to implement investment projects.

7. The Development Support Fund shall focus on rapidly implementing activities related to loan guarantees and post-investment interest rate support. The Management Board of the Development Support Fund shall urgently coordinate with banks to establish, issue, and guide the implementation of regulations on cooperation between the Fund and banks in joint lending for a project; procedures, processes for guaranteeing and methods for determining post-investment interest rate support levels for projects specified in Decree No. 43/1999/NĐ-CP dated June 29, 1999 of the Government, including interest rate support for projects borrowing foreign currency.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall cooperate with the State Bank of Vietnam and relevant ministries and sectors to identify key projects borrowing foreign currency with amounts around 200 million USD from commercial banks under the mechanism stipulated in Decision No. 118/1999/QĐ-TTg dated May 4, 1999 of the Prime Minister to import new materials and equipment in the fields of electricity, oil and gas, aviation, cement... The lending entities are responsible for appraising and balancing capital for each project. The State Bank of Vietnam will compile and report to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision on each project requiring loans. Study the possibility of providing loans to the Oil and Gas Corporation for investment abroad.

8.In the third quarter of 2000, the Ministry of Planning and Investment and relevant ministries andsectors shall issue guiding documents to implement the Law amending andcomplementing certain articles of the Law on Foreign Investment.

III. FINANCIAL AND CREDIT SOLUTIONS

Ministry of Defense: The sole agency responsible for producing fireworks shells and equipment, storing, transporting, commanding, training, and providing technical guidance for fireworks displays nationwide. Finance shall coordinate with the Ministry of Planning and Investment andrelevant agencies to review state budget revenues, actively prevent revenue loss,and strive to increase by approximately 30,000 to 40,000 billion VND comparedto the initial plan. The additional revenue will be used for: increasinginvestment capital, making one-time payments to those who have contributed tothe revolution, supporting housing for those who were active in revolutionary activities before 1945, compensatingfor losses in imported fuel, supplementing capital for enterprises, increasingfinancial reserves, and other expenditures decided by the Prime Minister.

2.From August 15, 2000, temporarily exempt taxes on the trading of agriculturalproducts to promote commodity circulation and boost the consumption ofagricultural products.

3.Provincial People's Committees and municipal people's committees under theCentral Government shall adjust the rice price for land use tax in accordancewith market prices.

4.Direct the Ministry of Finance to cooperate with the Ministry of Planningand Investment to study and propose to the Prime Minister a reward system toencourage enterprises to operate effectively, pay higher corporate income taxpayments in the following year than in the previous year, in compliance withcurrent laws.

5.Strictly manage state budget expenditures, practice thrift. Strengthenconstruction supervision for basic construction projects to ensure quality andprevent waste and corruption. Issue mechanisms for administrative expenditurebudgeting, and support mechanisms for budgetary organizations with income,such as hospitals, universities, research institutes,...

6.On the mechanism to guarantee loan repayment, while awaiting guidance andimplementation by relevant ministries and sectors, the State Bank of Vietnamshall coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors to guide creditorganizations to implement certain provisions of Decree No. 178/1999/NĐ-CPdated December 29, 1999 of the Government regarding guarantees for creditorganizations' loans as follows:

a)Do not implement registration of security transactions for pledge, mortgage, andguarantee contracts until relevant ministries and sectors establish registrationbodies and provide specific procedures and guidelines for registering securitytransactions.

b)For enterprise borrowers, when pledging machinery and equipment where thelaw does not require or has not yet required proof of ownership, it is sufficientto provide evidence that the assets are legal, commit to the credit organizationthat the assets belong to or are under the control of the enterprise and are freefrom disputes.

c)For enterprises allocated or leased land that meet the conditions for mortgagingto obtain bank loans according to land law regulations but have not been issuedland use rights certificates, credit organizations may base their loans on landallocation decisions, lease contracts, and land use fee payment receipts.

d)Allow credit organizations to provide unsecured loans to state-ownedenterprises that have not met the condition of "having two consecutive years ofprofitable business results" if they are not classified as weak enterprisesaccording to government, ministry, and local restructuring plans, have effectiveinvestment projects and business plans that can eliminate losses within a setperiod and are recognized by credit organizations for loans; allow unsecuredloans to foreign-invested enterprises that incur losses according to plans sincethey have just started operations in Vietnam for less than three years.

đ)Allow the application of the minimum ratio of own capital participating inprojects and the value of collateral securing loans through pledge and mortgageas stipulated in Decree No. 178/1999/NĐ-CP dated December 29, 1999 of theGovernment at a minimum level of 80% of the project's investment capital.

7.The State Bank of Vietnam shall instruct commercial banks to considerincreasing the limit of unsecured loans to over 10 million VND for householdsengaged in agricultural production, aquaculture, and farm-based productionactivities with viable production plans capable of repaying bank loans.

8.Expand the scope of foreign currency borrowers beyond those specified in Decree No.63/1998/NĐ-CP dated August 17, 1998 of the Government on foreign exchangeadministration to promote foreign currency loans to export-import enterprises,effective enterprises capable of generating foreign currency, and individualsseeking loans to work abroad. Agenciesand units with drug-addicted officials and civil servants need to resolutelyencourage and create conditions to help them voluntarily quit their addiction;if they fail to quit within a certain period of time, they should be removed fromthe state payroll.

9.The State Bank of Vietnam shall instruct the Poverty Alleviation Bank tosupplement lending mechanisms and organize the implementation of loans topoor households; People's Committees at all levels shall not charge certificationfees for all types of loan applications from poor households to the PovertyAlleviation Bank.

10In the third quarter, the MinistryThe finance sector accelerates the establishment and perfects the operational mechanisms of funds: Export insurance funds by commodity type, Credit guarantee fund; supplements the functions of the Export Support Fund to promote investment, accelerate production and export, protect the rights of producers; submits to the Prime Minister for decision on handling debts for state-owned enterprises undergoing ownership transformation; establishes a financial company to handle outstanding debts and solutions to promote the formation and development of the real estate market. The State Bank of Vietnam promotes the Government's process of establishing a company to purchase bank non-performing debts, issues organizational and operational mechanisms for financial companies, leasing financial companies, and policy banks to create conditions to accelerate lending for production and business development, financial health, and stabilize the operations of the banking system.

IV. SOCIAL SOLUTIONS

Ministry of Defense: The sole agency responsible for producing fireworks shells and equipment, storing, transporting, commanding, training, and providing technical guidance for fireworks displays nationwide. Science and Technology and Environment takes the lead, together with relevant agencies, urgently implements guidelines for the implementation of the Law on Science and Technology; develops new management mechanisms for science and technology; builds key laboratories; completes the software technology development project to submit to the Prime Minister in the third quarter of 2000; at the same time, implements the strategy for information technology development from 2001 to 2005.

2.Ministry Education and Training takes the lead, coordinating with relevant ministries and sectors to complete the planning of higher education institutions to submit to the Prime Minister in the third quarter of 2000; urgently implements the project to send scientific and technical staff abroad for training using state budget; coordinates with provincial People's Committees to find all measures to address the widespread issue of additional teaching and learning.

8.Ministry Culture and Information directs the implementation of the approved media planning; evaluates the situation of managing exports, press, and implements measures to strengthen state management in this field; continues to implement inspections of cultural service activities and cultural product trading nationwide.

Relevant agencies need to strengthen management and intensify foreign information work in accordance with the spirit of Directive No. 10/2000/CT-TTg dated April 26, 2000, of the Prime Minister.

4.The Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs takes the lead, together with relevant ministries and sectors, supplements and revises guidance on loans from the National Employment Support Fund and the establishment of local employment resolution funds towards expanding loan recipients, simplifying loan procedures to accelerate the disbursement of the National Employment Program funds; implements measures to promote labor export, experts, and improves management and responsibility of ministries, sectors, localities, and units in labor export; establishes a mechanism for state management of vocational training for labor export; strengthens and improves the quality of vocational training and plans the network of vocational training centers at central and local levels; formulates policies for surplus labor due to restructuring of state-owned enterprises; coordinates with the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, relevant ministries, and agencies to organize and mobilize the implementation of "Working Day for the Poor" (October 17) annually; continues to implement the Poverty Eradication Program and poverty criteria applicable from 2001 to 2005; studies to amend and supplement some labor and social insurance policies to suit current circumstances. 5.Ministry of Health

leads, together with relevant ministries and sectors, to complete proposals and action programs to ensure food safety and health insurance, to be submitted to the Prime Minister for approval in the third quarter of 2000. 6.Implements one-time payments for those who have contributed to the revolution according to Ordinance No. 19/2000/PL-UBTVQH10 dated February 4, 2000, of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly; provides housing support for those who were active in the revolutionary movement before 1945 according to Decision No. 20/2000/QĐ-TTg dated February 8, 2000, of the Prime Minister.

7.Provincial People's Committee Chairmen are responsible for integrating and completing investment procedures, fully implementing national program funds within their jurisdiction according to assigned goals, tasks, and plans. By the end of the third quarter, if there is no feasible project implemented, then allocate funds to other projects under the assigned programs. Ministries and competent agencies overseeing the programs must strengthen supervision of program implementation in

8.Continue to implement preventive and control measures against HIV/AIDS and drug abuse, prostitution, especially focusing on developing action programs to prevent and control drug abuse and prostitution from 2001 to 2005; after the Standing Committee of the National Assembly decides to amend the Ordinance on Administrative Violations, it is necessary to urgently amend and supplement Decree No. 20/CP dated April 13, 1996, of the Government towards simplifying procedures for sending individuals for drug rehabilitation treatment, reducing compulsory drug rehabilitation age at centers, and extending the duration of rehabilitation to create favorable conditions for high rehabilitation effectiveness. Organizes and upgrades centralized drug rehabilitation centers, combining community-based rehabilitation; combines education with labor, vocational training, and job creation... Agencies responsible for encouragement and reward work have the responsibility:

9.Transport Ministry, Public Security Ministry, and local authorities need to take effective measures to reduce traffic accidents. 10.Local authorities need to focus on resolving citizen complaints. The State Inspectorate and the Office of the Government will compile the situation of complaints over the past two years, clarify the actual situation, causes, and propose solutions. For matters that have been decided by the Prime Minister, the State Inspectorate and the Government Office will check the implementation results, assess the compliance level of administrative agencies at all levels, report, and recommend the Prime Minister to strictly deal with those who fail to fulfill their responsibilities, causing prolonged complaints.

Ministryof Transport, Ministry of Public Security, and local authorities at all levelsneed to take proactive and effective measures to reduce traffic accidents.

9.Ministry ofTransport, Ministry of Public Security, and local authorities at all levels needto take proactive and effective measures to reduce traffic accidents.

10.Localauthorities at all levels need to focus on resolving citizens' complaints. TheState Inspectorate and the Government Office need to compile the situation ofcomplaints over the past two years, clarify the current status, causes, andpropose solutions to resolve them. For matters that have been decided by thePrime Minister, the State Inspectorate and the Government Office need to inspectthe implementation results, assess the level of compliance by administrativeagencies at all levels, report, and recommend strict measures against those whodon't fulfill their responsibilities, so that complaints are not prolonged.

For collective complaints that are complex and prolonged, the State Audit shall request the Prime Minister to establish a multi-sectoral team to inspect and urge the resolution, and classify the complaints to adopt appropriate measures.

All levels of authority must strictly comply with the law, directives from higher levels, and earnestly implement the Regulations on Democracy at the grassroots level./.