Decision No. 15/2004/NQ-CP of the Government at the regular meeting of the Government in December 2004

RESOLUTION

Resolution of the regular meeting of the Government in December 2004

During two days, December 27 and 28, 2004, the Government convened its regular monthly meeting in December to discuss and resolve the following issues:

1. The Government heard the Minister, Head of the Government Office presenting the draft Report on Reviewing the Guidance and Management in 2004 and the Program of Work for 2005 of the Government; the Minister of Planning and Investment reported on the economic and social situation and the results of the production and investment meetings in 2004; the Minister of Commerce reported on the domestic market and export situation in 2004. Despite many adverse factors affecting the economic and social situation in the country such as early severe cold, flash floods, landslides, prolonged drought in many localities, widespread avian influenza outbreaks, high prices in both domestic and international markets... Vietnam's economic growth rate was maintained, and social life continued to develop. Many key tasks and targets set by the National Assembly were achieved or exceeded. There has been a positive shift in the economic structure; industry and exports continued to grow at a high rate; state budget revenue and development investment implementation increased, while the trade deficit decreased; there were significant advances in social sectors, people's living standards improved, and national security and political stability were maintained.

Achieving these results is due to the efforts of all levels of party organizations, governments, social organizations, and the people nationwide. At the same time, it is also the result of the Government's prompt guidance, closely aligned with goals and tasks, flexible, specific, resolute, and effective management. In 2004, the Government's guidance and management had many innovations, focusing more on inspection and supervision work, and ensuring harmony between economic development and social development, between implementing key tasks and addressing urgent issues. The Government collective is united, promoting a spirit of concentration and democracy, emphasizing responsibility, and actively coordinating activities effectively within the Government machinery and with Party agencies, the National Assembly, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and other political-social organizations, managing economic and social development, national defense, and security tasks.

2005 is the final year of the five-year plan (2001-2005), and the tasks are very heavy. The Government requests that ministries, sectors, and localities continue to implement the overall administrative reform program according to the proposed schedule; promptly implement from the beginning of the year the measures for economic and social management as directed by the Government; pay more attention to developing service industries, the quality of growth, based on technological innovation and new techniques to reduce costs and increase competitiveness; proactively implement monetary policy flexibly and prudently, controlling price increases within the set target range; actively direct the development of social sectors, intensify anti-corruption efforts, and practice thrift in both production and consumption; effectively address pressing social issues such as population growth, traffic accidents, crime, citizens' complaints and appeals, and resolving long-standing disputes; maintain national security and social order.

Leaders of ministries, sectors, and localities need to enhance their sense of responsibility, actively coordinate their work with each other, and direct their ministries, sectors, and localities to complete their assigned management tasks well; widely launch movements to mobilize internal strength in production, business, and social work; focus more time on directing the completion of the 2005 plan, reducing unnecessary meetings, procedures, ceremonies, and non-essential overseas trips...

The Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Education and Training are tasked with leading and coordinating with relevant ministries, sectors, and localities to develop and implement the National Assembly's Resolution No. 36/2004/QH11 on construction investment using state funds and Resolution No. 37/2004/QH11 on education. Ministries, sectors, and localities need to immediately review the legal system to amend and supplement the regulatory framework, inspection, supervision mechanisms, and investment and construction standards.

The Government Office is instructed to incorporate the opinions of Government members and attending delegates, finalize the Report on Reviewing the Guidance and Management in 2004 and the Program of Work for 2005 of the Government; the Minister, Head of the Government Office, acting on behalf of the Prime Minister, will send the report to ministries, sectors, and localities for implementation.

2. The Government heard the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications present the Overall Plan for Developing the Vietnamese E-Government until 2010.

Building an e-government involves rationalizing and transparentizing processes, improving information quality and processing, enhancing and expanding public services, promoting democracy... based on the latest information and communication technology applications. Building an e-government is a crucial and necessary step in the plan to reform the administrative system, aiming to innovate organizational structures, improve the effectiveness of government guidance and management, reduce meetings, paperwork, save time and resources for society.

The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications is tasked with leading and coordinating with the Government Office, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and related agencies, incorporating the opinions of Government members, finalizing the Overall Plan for Developing the Vietnamese E-Government until 2010, and submitting it to the Prime Minister for consideration and approval in the first quarter of 2005.

3. The Government heard the Minister of Finance presenting the Draft Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Articles of the Customs Law; the Minister, Head of the Government Office, reported on the consolidated opinions of Government members regarding the Draft Law.

The Customs Law issued in 2001 has created a favorable legal framework for improving the quality of customs activities in managing import and export, entry and exit, preventing and combating smuggling and commercial fraud, tax inspection, and tax revenue loss prevention. However, in light of the need for reform in customs work and international economic integration, there are many points in the Customs Law issued in 2001 that require supplementation and amendment to be appropriate.

Entrust the Ministry of Finance to take the lead, coordinate with the Ministry of Justice, the Office of the Government, and relevant agencies, incorporate opinions from government members, finalize the draft Law; the Minister of Finance, authorized by the Prime Minister, submit this draft Law to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

4. The Government listens to the Minister of Health's presentation on the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Ordinance project; the Minister and Head of the Office of the Government report the consolidated opinions of government members on the Ordinance project.

The HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Ordinance issued in 1995 has had positive effects in preventing and controlling HIV/AIDS, but after nearly ten years of implementation, the Ordinance has revealed many limited contents. Given the rapid progression and increasing spread of HIV/AIDS infection in our country, it is necessary to issue a new HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Ordinance to replace the one issued in 1995, ensuring the consistency and synchronization of current laws on HIV/AIDS prevention and control, and effectively curbing the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Entrust the Ministry of Health to take the lead, coordinate with the Ministry of Justice, the Office of the Government, and relevant agencies, incorporate opinions from government members, finalize the Ordinance project; the Minister of Health, authorized by the Prime Minister, submit this draft Ordinance to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.