Decision No. 14/2000/NQ-CP of the Government at its regular meeting in September 2000

RESOLUTION

REGULAR MEETING OF THE GOVERNMENT IN SEPTEMBER 2000.

THE GOVERNMENT

On October 2 and 3, 2000, the Government held its regular meeting for September 2000 to discuss and adopt the following issues:

1. The Government heard the report from the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Head of the Central Flood and Storm Control Committee on the situation regarding the response to the severe flood in the Mekong Delta.

Since the beginning of July, heavy rainfall in the upper reaches of the Mekong River basin has caused a serious flood in the Mekong Delta. Although Party and Government leaders promptly directed relevant sectors, levels, and the people to implement measures that yielded significant results, due to the early onset and extensive flooding over a wide area, it resulted in substantial losses to production, economic and social infrastructure, and the livelihoods of more than 10 million people in the Mekong Delta. The Government expresses deep sympathy for families who have lost loved ones and suffered heavy property damage. The Government commends the sectors, localities, and armed forces for their proactive and close guidance in fighting the floods; welcomes the support and assistance provided by social organizations, international organizations, and compatriots both at home and abroad during this difficult time.

The flood situation remains complex and may continue for some time, especially the aftermath once the water recedes. The Government calls on all compatriots to further promote solidarity and assistance to help the affected people overcome the crisis; requests the Ministries, sectors, and localities affected by the floods to organize and mobilize all available resources to provide relief to the affected population, minimize casualties and property losses, prevent disease outbreaks, maintain public security, quickly stabilize the lives of the people, restore infrastructure, and resume production as soon as possible after the water recedes.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is tasked to lead, in coordination with the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Finance, the State Bank, the Government Office, and related Ministries and sectors, to draft a Government Resolution on measures to address the aftermath and policies for the affected people in the Mekong Delta due to the floods, to be submitted to the Prime Minister for issuance to facilitate prompt implementation.

The Resolution must clearly reflect the Government's determination to stabilize the lives and production of the people; achieve significant success in the 2001 winter-spring crop through measures to restore infrastructure, market goods, and support policies on seeds, capital, debt deferral, debt freeze, tax exemption, and tax reduction... At the same time, it should summarize experiences from this flood event and propose fundamental solutions on economic structure, water resource planning, infrastructure construction, and community development suitable for the Mekong Delta to ensure a stable, civilized life for the people and sustainable economic development.

2. The Government heard the report from the Minister of Planning and Investment on the socio-economic development plan for 2001; and the report from the Minister of Finance on the implementation of the state budget in 2000 and the projected state budget for 2001.

From the beginning of 2000, the Government has implemented and directed the execution of many measures, mechanisms, and policies to help the economy overcome difficulties and challenges to complete and exceed the set targets. As of now, after evaluating the implementation of the first nine months and estimating the remaining three months, overall, the main indicators of the national plan for 2000 have been met and exceeded; investment capital, production capacity, and economic and social infrastructure capacity have significantly increased; the process of socio-economic renewal continues to show many changes, with the market economic system being further improved; political and social conditions remain stable, and the level of education has been raised.

However, the economy still has many weaknesses that need to be addressed urgently. Administrative reform has been slow. Social tensions remain significant...

The year 2001 holds a very important position, marking the start of the first five-year plan of the new millennium and the first year of implementing the resolutions of the Ninth National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Achievements in 2001 will have a significant impact, laying the foundation for the implementation of the national economic development strategy from 2001 to 2010.

Therefore, the goal for 2001 is to develop the economy at a higher and more sustainable rate than in 2000; intensify research and application of scientific and technological achievements in production, invest more to restructure the economy, enhance efficiency and competitiveness under conditions of international economic integration, improve the quality of labor and the proportion of trained workers; effectively address pressing social issues, focusing on employment, poverty reduction, health care for the people, and prevention of social evils; improve the material and spiritual life of the people; maintain political and social stability; actively expand foreign relations; consolidate national defense and security.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance are tasked to lead, in coordination with related Ministries and sectors, to incorporate the opinions of Government members, review the goals and measures reflecting the tasks and plans for 2001, perfect the Reports to be submitted to the Prime Minister

for consideration and decision to submit to the National Assembly.

3. The Government reviewed the proposal for universal secondary education presented by the Ministry of Education and Training.

3. The Government has reviewed the Proposal for Universal Secondary Education presented by the Ministry of Education and Training.

The goal of universal primary education and illiteracy eradication set forth by the Party and State over the past ten years has been achieved, contributing positively to enhancing the intellectual level of the population. To train a workforce with high capacity and quality for society, it is necessary to build a basic educational foundation for lower secondary school, equipping the younger generation with knowledge in various fields such as natural sciences, social sciences, and engineering as a basis for developing and perfecting their character. Therefore, after completing universal primary education, it is essential to immediately implement the universal lower secondary education program to leverage the results of universal primary education already achieved, creating conditions for developing human resources for the country's industrialization and modernization process. From the academic year 2000-2001, universal lower secondary education throughout the country must be considered a key task of the education sector. The Ministry of Education and Training is assigned to take the lead, coordinate with the Government Office to incorporate the opinions of government members and relevant agencies, finalize the Proposal, and submit it for the Standing Committee of the National Assembly to review.

The Government has reviewed the Report on Resettlement Planning for the Son La Hydropower Project submitted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The Son La Hydropower Project is the largest hydropower project in our country. Upon operation, the project will meet an important source of energy for the construction and development of the nation, but it requires significant relocation and resettlement. This is a major issue related to production, living conditions, customs, and traditions of the people, particularly ethnic minorities. The resettlement planning report needs to provide more detailed information on compensation plans, relocation schedules, and resettlement plans to ensure that the resettled people have a better life than before in terms of infrastructure, services, environment, production development, and community integration.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is assigned to take the lead, coordinate with the Committee for Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas, the Government Office, and relevant localities to incorporate the opinions of government members, finalize the Report, and submit it to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision regarding submission to the National Assembly.

The Government has reviewed the draft Ordinance on Plant Protection and Quarantine submitted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; and the draft Ordinance on Advertising submitted by the Ministry of Culture and Information.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Culture and Information are assigned to take the lead, coordinate with the Government Office and relevant ministries and sectors to incorporate the opinions of government members, revise the two drafts, and submit them to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision regarding submission to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

The Government has reviewed the Report on Some Issues in Directive Management and Implementation of the Government's Work Regulations in the Third Quarter and First Nine Months of 2000 submitted by the Minister and Head of the Government Office.

Generally, the Government has made many efforts in directive management activities in the first nine months, demonstrating responsibility and implementing the spirit of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and the National Assembly's resolutions focused on key tasks aimed at developing the economy and society of the country; there have been many new mechanisms and policies that better meet the requirements of the people and businesses. However, some aspects of organizational implementation, administrative discipline still need to be further strengthened.

The Government Office is assigned to incorporate the opinions of government members, finalize the above Report, and submit it to the Prime Minister for review before sending it to ministries, sectors, and localities.

Generally, the Government has made significant efforts in its leadership and management activities in the first nine months of the year, demonstrating responsibility and thoroughly implementing the spirit of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the National Assembly's resolutions, focusing on key tasks aimed at developing the country's economy and society; many new mechanisms and policies have been introduced to better meet the requirements of the people and businesses. However, some aspects of organizational implementation, administrative discipline, and conduct still need to be further strengthened.

Direct the Office of the Government to incorporate the opinions of the members of the Government to finalize the above Report, submit it to the Prime Minister for review before sending it to relevant Ministries, sectors, and localities./.