Decision No. 12/2004/NQ-CP of the Government's regular meeting in September 2004

RESOLUTION

Resolution of the regular meeting in September 2004

On September 29 and 30, 2004, the Government convened its regular monthly meeting in September to discuss and adopt the following issues:

1. The Government heard reports from the Ministers of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Education and Training, Health, and the Chairman of the National Sports Committee on draft plans for socializing cultural, educational, training, health care, and sports activities until 2010.

The policy of promoting socialization in various fields of social activity has been a focus of the Government's guidance alongside economic development under a socialist-oriented market economy mechanism. With the issuance of Resolution No. 90/CP and Decree No. 73/1999/NĐ-CP, the policy encouraging socialization in education, healthcare, culture and information, and sports has developed extensively, gradually mobilizing resources, tapping into the strength within the people, concretizing the policy of state and people working together, promoting democracy, ensuring social equity, and enriching the spiritual life for all strata of the population. However, there are still inconsistent views on the policy of socialization; implementation is slow, mechanisms and policies are not specific and clear, leading to many difficulties; state management in this field still has loopholes and deviations. Therefore, it is necessary to have high consensus in understanding the policy, with appropriate steps, solutions, and specific mechanisms and policies to accelerate the process of socialization in these areas.

Assign the Ministries of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Education and Training, Health, and the National Sports Committee to incorporate opinions from the meeting, finalize the draft plans, and develop implementation plans. Based on the draft plans and opinions expressed at the meeting, assign the Government Office to lead, coordinate with the Ministries of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Education and Training, Health, and the National Sports Committee to draft the Government's resolution on measures and mechanisms and policies to promote socialization in these areas, to be submitted to the Prime Minister for consideration and issuance.

2. The Government heard the Minister of Education and Training report on the situation of education.

At the regular meeting in August 2004, the Government listened to and provided guidance on continuing to perfect the report on the situation of education. This report reflects a serious, objective spirit, looking directly at the truth, evaluating achievements and shortcomings of the national education system; proposing specific directions and solutions; demonstrating determination to promptly address urgent issues in education while reforming thinking about education development to meet the aspirations of all strata of the population and the requirements of national development.

Assign the Ministry of Education and Training to lead, coordinate with the Government Office to incorporate opinions from the meeting, perfect the Report; the Minister of Education and Training, acting on behalf of the Prime Minister, will present this Report at the sixth session of the eleventh National Assembly.

3. The Government heard the Minister of Health present the draft Decree on the Regulations of Health Insurance; heard the Minister, Head of the Government Office report on the synthesis of opinions of Government members on the draft Decree.

The health insurance policy has been implemented nationwide since 1993, however, public awareness of health insurance remains limited, and the number of voluntary participants is still small. Provisions to ensure benefits for health insurance participants have been slow to supplement and amend; mechanisms for registering medical examinations and treatments according to health insurance and payment, settlement of health insurance still have some obstacles. Issuing a new Decree on health insurance policy aims to overcome existing shortcomings in the current health insurance system, while creating a foundation for gradually moving towards the goal of universal health insurance by 2010.

Assign the Ministry of Health to lead, coordinate with the Government Office and related agencies, incorporate opinions expressed at the meeting, especially those regarding mandatory health insurance and health insurance management organizations, to complete the draft Decree, to be submitted to the Prime Minister for consideration and issuance.

4. The Government heard the Minister of Planning and Investment present the draft Ordinance on Public Procurement Bidding; heard the Minister, Head of the Government Office report on the synthesis of opinions of Government members on the draft Ordinance.

In a market economy, establishing a legal basis for public procurement bidding activities aims to improve economic efficiency in the use of state capital, ensure competition, fairness, and transparency, effectively prevent negative behaviors of organizations and individuals in selecting contractors for consulting services, purchasing goods, and construction works; while creating consistency and convenience in implementation, aligning with the trend of international economic integration. Therefore, issuing the Ordinance on Public Procurement Bidding is very necessary.

Assign the Ministry of Planning and Investment to lead, coordinate with the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of Justice, and related agencies, incorporate opinions from the meeting, clarify the content of construction bidding, continue to perfect the draft Ordinance, paying attention to ensuring consistency and synchronization between the content of this Ordinance and other Laws, to be submitted to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision.

5. The Government heard the Minister of Finance present the draft Ordinance Amending and Supplementing Certain Articles of the Ordinance on Thrift and Prevention of Wastefulness; heard the Minister, Head of the Government Office report on the synthesis of opinions of Government members on the draft Ordinance.

The Ordinance on Thrift and Anti-Waste has been implemented for six years, creating a legal basis for building and promulgating a system of standards, norms, management regimes, and state capital and asset usage as a basis for inspecting and supervising the implementation of new financial management mechanisms for administrative agencies and public service units with income, contributing to effective thrift and anti-waste practices. Financial transparency and the role of community oversight have been strengthened. However, in reality, wastefulness remains significant, some provisions of the Ordinance are no longer suitable for practical requirements; many standards, norms, and usage regimes for state capital and assets are slow to innovate or are not timely; economic measures, responsibility regulations, and penalty mechanisms for violations are lacking in detail and need further supplementation.

The Government agrees to pass the draft Ordinance and assigns the Ministry of Finance to coordinate with the Government Office to perfect the draft Ordinance amending and supplementing certain articles of the Ordinance on Thrift and Anti-Waste; the Minister of Finance shall submit this draft Ordinance to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on behalf of the Prime Minister.

6. The Government has reviewed the report on the implementation of the socio-economic plan in September and the first nine months of 2004, the main solutions for the last months of the year presented by the Ministry of Planning and Investment; the report on the domestic market situation and import-export activities presented by the Ministry of Trade; and listened to the Minister of Foreign Affairs's report on the preparation for organizing the Fifth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 5).

Despite many adverse factors affecting the socio-economic situation in Vietnam in the first nine months of 2004, such as avian influenza, natural disasters in many places, and high prices of some goods on the world market, the economic growth rate continued to maintain a positive trend: industrial production increased significantly, export value and investment development funds were realized, the trade deficit decreased, budget revenue was high, farmers' income improved noticeably, people's living standards were raised, political and social stability was maintained...

However, alongside these achievements, there remain many difficulties and issues such as: the economic growth rate is still lower than the set targets, the added value of production and services is not high, commodity and service prices have increased, foreign direct investment attraction is low, the disbursement progress of construction investment funds and ODA funds is slow, traffic accidents are severe, social evils continue to increase...

To achieve the socio-economic development goals for 2004, in the fourth quarter of 2004, efforts must be made to achieve a higher growth rate than in the third quarter. Ministries, sectors, and localities need to effectively implement the socio-economic development solutions proposed by the Government in Resolution No. 01/2004/NQ-CP, Decision No. 51/2004/QĐ-TTg, and other guiding documents issued by the Government and the Prime Minister. Focus on mobilizing all available capital for development investment, accelerating disbursement progress, especially for projects with high efficiency and early impact, and those funded by government bonds; proactively implementing flexible and prudent monetary policies, strictly enforcing measures to control price increases and curb inflation within manageable levels; promoting exports and enhancing service development; intensifying solutions to address pressing social issues such as traffic accidents, crime, drug abuse, prostitution; maintaining national security and social order; accelerating the drafting and promulgation of regulatory legal documents, particularly Decrees guiding the implementation of enacted Laws and Ordinances.

In October 2004, Vietnam will host ASEM 5, which is a significant political event in the partnership between the two continents and in Vietnam's international integration process. Hosting ASEM 5 is our most positive contribution to ASEM to date, affirming our proactive international integration policy, contributing to enhancing Vietnam's status and prestige on the international stage. The Government requests relevant ministries, sectors, and localities to make maximum efforts to ensure the successful, safe, and meticulous organization of ASEM 5, demonstrating Vietnam's hospitality and leaving a lasting impression on international friends.