Decision No. 15/2003/NQ-CP of the Government's regular meeting in December 2003

RESOLUTION

Regarding the regular meeting of the Government in December 2003

On December 24 and 25, 2003, in Ho Chi Minh City, the Government convened its regular monthly meeting in December 2003 to discuss and adopt the following issues:

1. The Government heard the Minister of Culture and Information present the Strategy for Information Development until 2010.

In recent years, the information work of the country has made significant progress in both content, form, and information infrastructure; it has met the needs to improve people's knowledge and increasingly holds an important position in political and social life. Information is not only a tool serving Party leadership and State management but also a forum for various strata of the people; contributing to expanding international exchanges, promoting international economic integration; effectively combating false information and distorted viewpoints from hostile forces. However, up to now, the development of information in the country still faces imbalances, overlapping and repetitive content, uneven distribution, shortages in some fields and areas; the two-way nature of information has not been fully utilized. To a certain extent, information is still influenced by the negative aspects of the market mechanism; it does not align with the political ideological direction and cultural traditions of the nation, leading to the disclosure of state secrets. Information provision to remote areas, ethnic minority regions, and mountainous areas remains limited.

The Government recognizes that information activities must be under the leadership of the Party, managed by the State, and comply with legal regulations. From now until 2010, information work must develop strongly, balancedly, with specific steps; network arrangements must be rationalized while making full use of existing information technology infrastructure to better fulfill political tasks; information must lead by one step, closely tie in, and serve the strategy for socio-economic development with the main goal of industrialization and modernization, promoting international economic integration. Information must have educational effects, promote good examples and humanistic values of Vietnamese people.

The Ministry of Culture and Information is tasked to take the lead, coordinate with the Government Office and relevant agencies, incorporate opinions from Government members, further refine the Information Development Strategy according to the above requirements; simultaneously, develop a plan for radio and television system planning, submit to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision to the Politburo.

2. The Government heard the Minister and Head of the Government Office present the Project to Improve the Quality of Draft Laws and Ordinances prepared by the Government and submitted to the National Assembly and the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

In recent years, the Government and Ministries have made many efforts in drafting draft laws and ordinances submitted to the National Assembly and the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, making significant contributions to the development and continuous improvement of the legal system of the State. However, at this stage, facing the requirement of further perfecting the legal system to meet the demands of socio-economic development and ensure international economic integration, this work still needs to be continuously improved to accelerate progress, enhance quality, and ensure the synchronization of draft laws and ordinances. Therefore, reforming the process and enhancing the role and responsibility of Ministers in drafting, reviewing, and examining draft laws and ordinances; strengthening the capacity of legal and specialized organizations directly assisting Ministers in drafting draft laws and ordinances is very necessary.

The Government Office is tasked to take the lead, coordinate with the Ministry of Justice and relevant agencies, incorporate opinions from Government members, complete the project, submit to the Prime Minister for consideration and approval.

3. The Government heard the Minister and Head of the Population, Family, and Children Commission present the draft Law on Protection, Care, and Education of Children (Amendment); heard the Minister and Head of the Government Office report the consolidated opinions of Government members on the draft Law.

The Law on Protection, Care, and Education of Children was promulgated in 1991, after 12 years of implementation, many goals to improve the material and spiritual lives of children have been well achieved; awareness about child protection and care has been thoroughly implemented and raised; children's needs have been more comprehensively met. However, in response to practical demands and to adjust new relationships arising related to children's rights, especially those of ethnic minority children in remote areas, the Law needs to be amended and supplemented to fully institutionalize the Ninth National Party Congress Resolution and be consistent with social life.

The Population, Family, and Children Commission is tasked to take the lead, coordinate with the Ministry of Justice, the Government Office, and relevant agencies, incorporate opinions from Government members, continue refining the draft Law, submit to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

4. The Government heard the Minister and Head of the Government Office present the Report on the Supervision and Management of the Government in 2003 and the Work Program for 2004; heard the Minister of Planning and Investment present the Report on the Economic and Social Situation in December and throughout 2003.

The supervision and management work of the Government in 2003 showed many notable improvements, with positive and synchronized changes across most areas of work. The Government's leadership and management not only highlighted collective responsibility but also emphasized individual responsibility; ensuring unity, democracy, and shared responsibility; managing with high determination and effectiveness.

The economic and social situation in 2003 continued to develop positively, maintaining a relatively high growth rate, with all indicators achieving and exceeding the planned targets. Industrial production increased significantly, agriculture developed steadily, the domestic market grew strongly, exports and investment development increased considerably; budget revenue exceeded the estimate, monetary activities progressed in line with the needs of economic development, prices were stable. Social activities in various fields continued to develop in a positive direction. The struggle against corruption, bureaucracy, and waste was directed decisively and showed good progress. The people's trust in the Party's leadership and the State's management was consolidated; the strength of the national solidarity bloc in the country's renewal process was further promoted.

However, there are still some issues that the Government must firmly direct to address, including lax discipline and order; excessive waste in investment construction and land management; delays in issuing guiding documents for the implementation of laws and ordinances.

Building on the achievements made in 2003, to fulfill the economic and social development targets set for 2004 by the National Assembly, the Government's guidance and management need to focus on the task of developing the economy rapidly and sustainably; maximizing all resources to transform the economic structure, enhance competitiveness and investment efficiency, stabilize macroeconomic conditions; proactively accelerate the process of international economic integration; reform management mechanisms, improve the quality of educational, health, cultural, and social activities, eradicate poverty and reduce inequality; make new strides in administrative reform, emphasize discipline and order within the state apparatus.

Ministries, sectors, and localities need to actively concretize economic and social development measures according to the Government's directives in their respective industries, fields, and areas under their management; implement the 2004 plan early and organize well to ensure the people across the country celebrate the Lunar New Year joyfully, healthily, and thriftily. In directing the implementation, it is necessary to take advantage of favorable opportunities to strive for higher growth rates than the set targets, contributing to successfully implementing the five-year plan from 2001 to 2005.

At this session, the Government also heard, examined, and approved reports on: the organization of the 22nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Vietnam; the results of the seventh round of negotiations for Vietnam's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO); the domestic market situation in December and forecasts for the first quarter of 2004./.