Decision No. 11/2005/NQ-CP of the Government at its regular meeting in September 2005

 RESOLUTION

The regular session of the Government in September 2005

On September 28 and 29, 2005, the Government convened its regular monthly session in September to discuss and adopt the following issues:

1. The Government heard a brief report from the Government Office and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on the damage caused by Typhoon No. 7 and measures to mitigate its consequences.

Typhoon No. 7, with the strongest winds in the last ten years, caused significant damage to coastal provinces from Quang Ninh to Ha Tinh. However, due to accurate forecasting, close monitoring of the typhoon's development, strict implementation of preventive measures against typhoons and evacuation of people from dangerous areas, as well as the synchronized and resolute efforts of party committees, local authorities, the people, and the armed forces, the damage caused by the typhoon was significantly reduced. The Government commends the efforts of cadres, people in affected provinces, and the armed forces for their efforts in preventing and mitigating the typhoon, protecting dykes, safeguarding property and crops, maintaining public security, and stabilizing the lives of the people. The Government requests localities to focus all efforts on repairing breached and eroded dykes, reinforcing sea dykes to cope with abnormal weather conditions; promptly implementing measures to restore production and stabilize the lives of the people. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall take the lead, in coordination with relevant ministries and sectors, to study and submit to the Government proposals to support localities in mitigating the aftermath of typhoons and floods, and formulate specific policies to gradually strengthen the sea dyke system.

2. The Government heard reports on the implementation of economic and social tasks for 2005 and the investment development plan for 2006 presented by the Minister of Planning and Investment; and on the implementation of the State budget for 2005, the draft State budget for 2006, and the allocation of the central budget for 2006 presented by the Minister of Finance.

In 2005, the expected GDP growth rate of 8.3-8.4% is a significant achievement under difficult conditions; the economic structure has made progressive changes, the quality and effectiveness of development have improved; total social investment capital has increased significantly, especially foreign direct investment and private sector capital. State budget revenue for 2005 and the five-year period from 2001 to 2005 exceeded projections, the revenue structure continued to improve, meeting expenditure needs and strengthening national financial capacity. All social sectors have shown positive developments, particularly poverty reduction and human development, highly appreciated by the international community. Political stability and social order have been maintained. Our country is entering a new era with new opportunities; our strength is greater; political stability is attracting foreign investors. However, many new challenges are emerging in the process of regional and global economic integration.

In 2006, with new opportunities and advantages brought about by achievements in the five-year period from 2001 to 2005, as well as political and social stability, and the geographical and economic position of the country, the GDP growth rate could reach 8%, and may be higher.

In the Report on the Plan and Budget for 2006, the following issues need to be addressed further:

- The Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministries of Transport, Agriculture and Rural Development should propose measures and allocate funds to resolve the outstanding debts in the state budget construction projects to alleviate difficulties for enterprises and banks;

- For poor regions supported by the central government for basic construction, it is necessary to ensure synchronization and adequacy of counterpart funds. The Ministry of Planning and Investment should study establishing a central counterpart fund for ODA to proactively address local needs and accelerate ODA disbursement;

- The proportion of households below the new poverty line has increased significantly, so in the 2006 plan, the entire political system and society must mobilize efforts to address poverty reduction. The Government will increase funding for the Social Policy Bank, coordinate with the Vietnam Fatherland Front and other mass organizations to help people develop production and reduce poverty;

- The Ministry of Finance should recalculate oil revenues and cooperate with localities to actively prevent revenue losses, increase revenues in the 2006 budget projection to meet reasonable demands raised by members of the Government, and strive to increase the budget reserve ratio to approximately 4%;

The Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance are tasked with supplementing the above points, completing the reports for submission to the National Assembly.

3. The Government heard the Action Program of the Government to implement Resolution No. 46-NQ/TW dated February 23, 2005 of the Politburo on health care work in the new situation presented by the Minister of Health.

On February 23, 2005, the Politburo (Term IX) issued Resolution No. 46-NQ/TW on health care work in the new situation. This resolution serves as a guideline for the Government to formulate policies and develop health care work. The goal of the Government's Action Program is to concretize tasks and solutions to implement the Resolution; clearly assign responsibilities to ministries, sectors, provincial-level People's Committees, and the coordination of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and other mass organizations in organizing implementation; create a clear improvement in health care work, reflecting the consistent view of sustainable development: combining economic growth with social equity and focusing on human factors.

The Ministry of Health is tasked with leading, coordinating with the Government Office and related agencies to incorporate opinions from the session, perfect the draft Action Program of the Government to implement the Politburo's Resolution, and submit it to the Prime Minister for consideration and issuance.

4. The Government heard the Proposal to Adjust Tuition Fees in Educational Institutions within the National Education System presented by the Minister of Education and Training; and the Proposal to Amend Medical Service Fees presented by the Minister of Health.

The Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Health shall take the lead, coordinate with the Government Office and relevant agencies to incorporate opinions expressed at the meeting, seek additional opinions from the National Assembly's agencies, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and people's organizations, finalize the draft Project and accompanying Decree, and submit them for the Prime Minister's consideration and issuance.

5. The Government heard the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment's report on the procedures for issuing the Government Resolution on reviewing and adjusting land use planning and plans of provinces and centrally-administered cities, the Ministry of Defense, and the Ministry of Public Security.

The review and adjustment of land use planning and plans of provinces and centrally-administered cities, the Ministry of Defense, and the Ministry of Public Security must be carried out within the Government's authority as stipulated by the Land Law while ensuring swift procedures to meet the timely needs of land use planning and plan management.

The Government Office shall take the lead, coordinate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, promptly seek opinions from Government members; finalize the draft Resolution on reviewing and adjusting land use planning and plans, and submit it for the Prime Minister's signature and issuance.

6. The Government heard the Minister of Justice's report on researching, incorporating opinions, and finalizing the Draft Law on Real Estate Registration (which was discussed and commented upon at the regular meeting in August 2005); the Minister of Health presented the Draft Ordinance on Donating, Removing, and Transplanting Human Tissue and Organs; and the Government Office reported on summarizing Government members' opinions on this Draft Ordinance.

a) The Draft Law on Real Estate Registration submitted to the Government has been revised according to the Resolution of the Regular Meeting of the Government in August 2005, reflecting administrative reform spirit, implementing "one paper, one registration agency," ensuring legal validity, convenience for land users and property owners, and submitting it to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly for approval through the Minister of Justice acting on behalf of the Prime Minister.

b) Regarding the Draft Ordinance on Donating, Removing, and Transplanting Human Tissue and Organs: Starting from the large and increasing demand for donating and transplanting human tissue and organs, this Ordinance must establish a legal basis for activities aimed at humanitarian purposes, treating diseases, teaching, and scientific research, respecting personal rights, voluntariness for humanitarian purposes, ensuring medical ethics and confidentiality, improving health care quality, and aligning with related legal documents.

The Government agreed to pass the Draft Ordinance on Donating, Removing, and Transplanting Human Tissue and Organs. The Minister of Health, acting on behalf of the Prime Minister, shall submit this Draft Ordinance to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

7. The Government heard the Minister of Finance's report on issuing Government Bonds to the international market in 2005; and the Government Office's report on summarizing Government members' opinions on the Draft Decree replacing Decree No. 90/1998/NĐ-CP dated November 7, 1998, on the Regulation on Borrowing and Repaying Foreign Debts.

a) The Government approves the issuance of Vietnamese Government Bonds to the international capital market according to Decision No. 914/2005/QĐ-TTg dated September 1, 2005, of the Prime Minister. Delegating authority to the Minister of Finance, or someone authorized by the Minister of Finance, to sign relevant legal documents for issuing international bonds with terms following international practices and determining all bond conditions.

The Minister of Finance shall coordinate with relevant Ministries and sectors to organize the issuance of Government Bonds in October 2005. After completing the international bond issuance, the Ministry of Finance shall summarize experiences and report to the Government.

b) Regarding the Draft Decree on organizing commendation work, the Government affirms the necessity of having a specialized body to carry out this task but emphasizes that it must be very streamlined, flexible, and effective; not rigidly establishing a uniform organizational model across Ministries, equivalent Ministries, and government agencies, and centrally-administered cities. Based on their own task requirements and workload, granting autonomy to Ministers, heads of equivalent Ministries, heads of government agencies, and provincial People's Committees to decide or propose to competent authorities to decide on establishing commendation organizational structures.

The Government Office shall take the lead, coordinate with the Central Commendation and Reward Board, promptly complete this Draft Decree, and submit it for the Prime Minister's signature and issuance.

c) Regarding the Draft Decree replacing Decree No. 90/1998/NĐ-CP dated November 7, 1998, on the Regulation on Borrowing and Repaying Foreign Debts, the Government Office shall complete the necessary procedures for submission to the Prime Minister for signature and issuance, including local governments borrowing foreign funds under a scheme where the central government borrows and then lends back to localities.

The Government also reviewed reports on the implementation of the socio-economic plan in September and the first nine months of 2005, and focused solutions for the remaining months of the year, presented by the Minister of Planning and Investment; and the report on trade situation in September and the first nine months of 2005, presented by the Ministry of Trade.

The situation in implementing the socio-economic plan for September and the first nine months of 2005 has made significant progress. The average GDP growth rate for the nine months reached 8.1%. To successfully complete the tasks of the 2005 plan, the Government requests members of the Government, heads of government agencies, Chairmen of provincial People's Committees under the Central Government to focus their time on closely monitoring the grassroots level, resolving difficulties, promoting production and exports; accelerating basic construction investment; improving cultural and social issues, poverty reduction, public order and safety, and traffic accident prevention. Ministries and central agencies should concentrate on inspecting, reviewing, and assisting localities recently affected by Typhoon No. 7 and flash floods, ensuring that people do not suffer from hunger, preventing disease outbreaks; stabilizing people's lives, restoring production, maintaining environmental hygiene, repairing houses for people and infrastructure damaged by typhoons and floods./.