Decision No. 13/2000/NQ-CP of the Government at the regular government meeting in August 2000

 RESOLUTION

RESOLUTION NO. 13/2000/NQ-CP OF THE GOVERNMENT ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2000 AT THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE GOVERNMENT IN AUGUST 2000

On August 30 and 31, 2000, the Government convened its regular meeting for August 2000 to discuss and adopt the following issues:

1. The Government heard the presentation of the "Strategy for Export and Import Development during the Period 2001-2010" by the Minister of Trade.

The Government unanimously acknowledges that over the past ten years, the export and import sector has achieved many accomplishments, basically implementing the policies set forth in the Strategy for Economic and Social Stability and Development until 2000. The policy of diversifying markets and internationalizing economic relations has been realized. The structure of exports has improved positively. Imports have generally served effectively for production development and technological innovation. However, the scale of exports remains too small compared to other countries in the region; export growth has not been truly stable and sustainable; the proportion of products with high technology and intellectual content is still very small; service exports remain far below potential; the competitiveness of most goods is low; market understanding is limited; integration into regional and global economies is still cumbersome.

During the period 2001-2010, the export and import sector needs to focus on high-tech products, large value items, labor-intensive goods, aligning with the country's international integration roadmap; striving to achieve balance in exports and imports by 2010. It is necessary to diversify product lines, emphasizing key products while also diversifying markets and establishing and maintaining major long-term stable markets. In the short term, it is essential to concentrate on market information work, amending and supplementing some regulatory documents, implementing preferential policies to encourage all economic sectors to participate in exports, and intensify vocational training for labor export...

The Ministry of Trade is tasked to lead, in coordination with relevant ministries and agencies, to incorporate the opinions of government members, supplement and complete the proposal, and submit specific mechanisms and policies to the Government for issuance to strive to achieve and exceed the targets outlined in Proposal 1 of the Proposal.

2. The Government heard the presentation of the "Continued Restructuring, Reform, and Development of State-Owned Enterprises" by the Deputy Head of the Central Enterprise Management Reform Steering Committee.

Over more than ten years of reform implementation, the state-owned enterprise sector has shown positive changes: more rational structure and scale, significant progress in technology and management levels, preserved and increased capital, demonstrating a leading role in the economy; being a core force in economic growth, exports, and budget contributions. However, the overall business efficiency of state-owned enterprises is still low, their competitive ability is weak, non-performing debts and unemployed labor are substantial; the scale of enterprises is still small, scattered, overlapping in industries and organizational management; technological and management levels are still backward and weak, operations still heavily rely on state subsidies and preferences.

The demands of industrialization, modernization of the country and economic integration into the international community require further acceleration of state-owned enterprise reforms. The Government largely agrees with the solutions proposed by the Enterprise Reform and Development Steering Committee but requires more specifics on certain issues such as: the model and operational mechanism of state-owned corporations, the content of state management by ministries over enterprises, handling financial, labor issues, continuing to promote the process of shareholding, and measures to enhance the effectiveness and role of the entire system of state-owned enterprises.

The Enterprise Reform and Development Steering Committee and the Government Office are tasked to incorporate the opinions of government members, refine the proposal, and submit it to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision on presenting it to the Politburo.

3. The Government heard the presentation of the "Proposed Program for Law and Ordinance Construction in 2001 by the Government" by the Minister of Justice; and the report on the review comments of the Government Office on this proposed program.

The Ministry of Justice is tasked to lead, in coordination with the Government Office, to incorporate the opinions of government members, review the progress and quality preparation, assess the feasibility of each draft Law and Ordinance, report to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision on submitting the Government's Program for Law and Ordinance Construction in 2001 to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

4. The Government reviewed the Draft Law on Fire Prevention and Control presented by the Minister of Public Security.

The Ministry of Public Security is tasked to lead, in coordination with the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Finance, and the Government Office, to incorporate the opinions of attendees at the meeting, seek additional opinions from government members on two issues: insurance systems for fire and funding sources for fire prevention and control to perfect the Draft Law. The Minister of Public Security is authorized by the Prime Minister to submit this Draft Law to the National Assembly for consideration at its upcoming session.

5. The Government heard the presentation of the draft Decree detailing the implementation of the Petroleum Law and the consolidated report on the opinions of government members regarding the draft Decree. The Government agreed to approve this Decree.

The Government Office is tasked to lead, in coordination with relevant agencies, to incorporate the opinions of government members, perfect the draft Decree, and submit it to the Prime Minister for issuance in September 2000.

6. The Government heard the presentation of the Report on the Socio-Economic Situation in August and the first eight months of 2000 by the Minister of Planning and Investment; and the Report on the Implementation of the Export and Import Plan in the first eight months of 2000, the possibility for the last four months of the year, and measures to ensure the achievement of the annual target, and the forecast of the Export and Import Plan for 2001 by the Minister of Trade.

The economic and social situation in August and the first eight months of the year continued to maintain relatively strong growth. Industrial production continued to develop, with some key products of manufacturing and consumption increasing significantly (electricity, crude oil, cement, clean coal, rolled steel, fertilizers, etc.); the total turnover of retail goods and social consumption services increased by 7.7% compared to the same period last year. Agricultural production, although the Mekong Delta experienced early floods causing losses to some soon-to-be-harvested rice areas and central provinces suffered damage from Typhoon No. 2, still has the potential for a good harvest. Export maintained a high growth rate, with total export value in the first eight months increasing by 27.4% compared to the same period; the market was more active, and consumer goods and service prices began to rise. State budget revenue reached a significant level, increasing by 7.7% compared to the same period. Social work activities showed some positive changes...

However, the implementation of the investment construction plan has not seen much improvement, especially in the execution of credit investment funds, foreign direct investment, and the allocation and payment of investment capital, which remain low. Administrative reform progresses slowly, and the number of unemployed workers remains large...

The Government requests ministries, sectors, and localities to focus on improving administrative procedures related to lending for production development, issuing land use right certificates, piloting financial mechanisms for reinforcing dikes in the Mekong Delta; resolving issues in land allocation and leasing for non-state-owned economic components' projects; actively implementing Resolution No. 11/2000/NQ-CP dated July 31, 2000, of the Government on certain measures to manage the socio-economic development plan for the last six months of the year. Promptly resolve difficulties and obstacles, particularly those related to policies and mechanisms and organizational implementation that directly hinder the implementation of plans, strictly comply with government regulations and directives issued by the Prime Minister.