Decision No. 16/2005/NQ-CP of the Government at the regular meeting of the Government in November 2005

 RESOLUTION

Regular Meeting of the Government in November 2005

On December 5, 2005, the Government convened its regular meeting for November to discuss and adopt the following issues:

1. The Government heard the Minister of Education and Training's report on the proposal regarding the Early Childhood Education Development Project for the period 2006-2015.

In recent years, with the attention of the Party, State, and society, early childhood education has made new progress, contributing positively to the overall development of the national education system. All development targets up to 2005 have exceeded the levels set out in the Education Development Strategy 2001-2010. The quality of childcare and education in early childhood education facilities has improved significantly. However, compared to its position and development requirements, early childhood education still has some weaknesses and inadequacies. There are significant disparities in scale and quality between regions across the country. A large proportion of children in the early childhood age group have not been cared for and educated according to scientific methods.

Early childhood education is a component of the national education system, holding a very important position in the human resource development cause of the nation, and requires adequate attention. Developing early childhood education is the responsibility of the State and the entire people. To implement Resolution No. 37/2004/QH11 of the National Assembly and the Education Law 2005, the Government has determined that it is necessary to focus on developing early childhood education, making fundamental, solid, and comprehensive changes towards standardization, modernization, and socialization; improving the quality of childcare, education, and teaching; expanding the system of early childhood education facilities in residential areas, especially in rural areas and difficult regions. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to concentrate on building and improving the quality of the teaching staff and management personnel in early childhood education with reasonable policies regarding training, salary, social insurance, health insurance, as well as other material and spiritual benefits, without distinction between public and private teachers, within or outside the establishment; reforming educational programs, contents, and methods; investing in constructing school infrastructure to meet development requirements, particularly in ethnic minority areas and regions with extremely difficult socio-economic conditions; continuing to supplement and perfect policies for the development of early childhood education, promoting socialization in early childhood education according to a reasonable schedule; while implementing strong decentralization management, combined with enhanced inspection to ensure effective implementation.

The Ministry of Education and Training is tasked to lead, coordinate with the Government Office and relevant agencies, incorporate opinions from the meeting, finalize the Early Childhood Education Development Project for the period 2006-2015, and submit it to the Prime Minister for consideration and approval.

2. The Government heard the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment's presentation on the report on the results of inspecting the enforcement of the Land Law.

The Land Law 2003 is one of the laws attracting widespread attention from all strata of the population. Since the Law came into effect, land management has made new progress. Land is being used more effectively, administrative procedures related to land have become clearer and more specific, facilitating the exercise of land users' rights. By now, most provinces and cities have completed land planning and utilization plans... Nevertheless, land management in terms of planning and utilization remains weak, with slow implementation. The issuance of land use right certificates has not met the planned schedule. The recovery of land from violations has lacked firmness. Compensation, support, and resettlement work have many shortcomings and violations. The resolution of disputes, complaints, and denunciations about land has been untimely and ineffective.

To enforce the Land Law, bring land management and utilization into a regulated framework, it is necessary to continue building and perfecting land-related policies and laws, especially those concerning compensation, support, resettlement, and job placement for those whose land is reclaimed; focus on correcting weaknesses, strengthening land planning and utilization management, accelerating the issuance of land use right certificates, firmly reclaiming land from violators as stipulated by the Land Law; doing well in compensation, support, and resettlement when the state reclaims land; enhancing supervision and inspection of land law enforcement, thereby promptly addressing any obstacles, and strictly dealing with any violations; properly handling disputes, complaints, and denunciations about land. Particularly, it is necessary to resolve all pending petitions and letters and limit the emergence of new ones.

Improving the efficiency of land management and utilization for the sustainable development of the country is an important task that is both urgent and long-term, requiring the coordinated participation of agencies within the political system. The Government assigns the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to lead, coordinate with the Government Office and relevant agencies to incorporate opinions from the meeting, and submit to the Prime Minister for issuance of a Directive on handling issues arising from the inspection of the enforcement of the Land Law.

3. The Government heard the report on measures to limit the trade deficit during the period 2006-2010 presented by the Minister of Planning and Investment.

The total value of exports in the period 2001-2005 increased by an average of over 17% per year. Generally, exports have truly become a driving force for economic development, but the trade deficit in the period 2001-2005 was still large, accounting for 17.9% of the total export value.

In the early stages of developing the economy towards industrialization, importing modern technology and raw materials to serve production and exports is truly necessary for each country. Additionally, the requirements of economic integration at both the international and regional levels, along with the implementation of commitments to reduce tariffs and eliminate non-tariff barriers, have contributed to an increase in imports. On the other hand, for our country, export growth has not yet been sustainable in terms of product structure and market... In this context, the recent trade deficit ratio is difficult to avoid and acceptable. This ratio also tends to decrease over periods (from 1991 to 1995 it was 32.8%, from 1996 to 2000 it was 19%, and in 2005 it was 15.6%). To limit the trade deficit, the most important and positive solution is to promote exports and enhance the competitiveness of domestic products.

As our country integrates more deeply into the global economy, especially when joining the World Trade Organization (WTO), the direct role of the State will gradually decrease but there is a need for a more synchronized and transparent system of mechanisms and policies. The role of enterprises needs to be promoted with a proactive spirit. The Government requests that ministries, sectors, localities, and businesses urgently implement practical measures to simultaneously boost exports and reasonably reduce imports, gradually striving to balance the trade balance. Relevant ministries and agencies must urgently review, issue, or submit to the Government for issuance within their authority, consolidated legal documents to create a transparent legal framework and equal business conditions for investors, encourage enterprise development, investment, and trade. Develop import plans closely aligned with production needs, encouraging the purchase and use of equipment and raw materials that meet technical standards. Additionally, measures should be considered to adapt Vietnamese standards to international standards, focusing on building technical barriers, import standards, and appropriate import management tools in accordance with WTO standards, and flexibly using financial and monetary tools to limit the trade deficit.

4. The Government has reviewed the report on the results of the monthly meeting on production, import and export, and investment in November and the socio-economic situation in the first eleven months of 2005 presented by the Minister of Planning and Investment, and the report on the trade situation in November 2005 and forecast for December 2005 presented by the Minister of Commerce. The Government agrees to approve these reports.

The socio-economic situation in November and the first eleven months of 2005 showed significant progress, continuing to develop positively. Industrial production value maintained a high growth rate. The domestic market developed steadily. Tourism activities were lively. Export turnover continued to increase rapidly, and the trade deficit ratio decreased. Foreign direct investment exceeded the annual plan, and the implementation of development investment capital increased significantly. State budget revenue exceeded the estimate. Social work in various fields continued to develop positively.

Despite this, the economy is still facing many difficulties due to the impact of natural disasters and the complex avian influenza epidemic, which may negatively affect economic growth and cause a human flu pandemic. The Government requests members of the Government, heads of government agencies, and Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities to pay close attention to inspection and effective control of the avian influenza epidemic, preventing a human flu pandemic; urgently prepare necessary conditions to implement the National Assembly's Resolution on tasks for 2006; resolve difficulties, accelerate basic construction investment, production, and exports; effectively curb inflation, stabilize production and living conditions, and prepare well for the Lunar New Year; better address cultural and social issues, poverty reduction, public order and safety, and traffic accidents.