Decision No. 17/2007/NQ-CP of the Government at the regular monthly meeting in February 2007

RESOLUTION

Ha Noi, March 8, 2007

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On February 2, 2007, the Government convened its regular session for February, discussed and adopted the following issues:

1. The Government heard the Minister, Head of the Government Office's presentation on the draft Report on the work of the Government and the Prime Minister during the term 2002-2007; the Minister of Planning and Investment's presentation on the supplementary report on the implementation of economic and social tasks in 2006 and the deployment of the plan for 2007; the Minister of Finance's presentation on the supplementary report on the results of state budget implementation in 2006 and the situation of implementing state budget tasks in 2007.

The Government generally agreed with the contents of the above reports.

With innovative thinking and unity, the Government during the term 2002-2007 has comprehensively directed and managed the economy and society, achieving many significant accomplishments. The Report on the work of the Government and the Prime Minister during the term 2002-2007 must be based on the functions, tasks, and authorities of the Government and the Prime Minister as stipulated by the Constitution and laws; at the same time, it should closely follow the goals and tasks of economic and social development during the term 2002-2007 to conduct a review.

The content of the report needs to highlight the achievements made across all aspects of state management activities from the establishment of institutional frameworks and administrative organizational structures to monitoring, supervising, inspecting, and auditing the implementation; the guidance and management of the Government and the Prime Minister to achieve the set economic and social development goals. The report also needs to identify existing shortcomings and weaknesses and draw lessons learned to provide direction for innovation in the guidance and management of the Government and the Prime Minister during the term 2007-2012.

The Government Office is tasked with incorporating the opinions of Government members, refining the draft Report on the work of the Government and the Prime Minister during the term 2002-2007. The Minister, Head of the Government Office, acting on behalf of the Prime Minister, will report to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly and continue to refine the report, submitting it to the Prime Minister.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance are tasked with incorporating the opinions of Government members, refining the supplementary report on the implementation of economic and social tasks in 2006; deploying the plan for economic and social development in 2007 and the supplementary report on the results of state budget implementation in 2006, the situation of implementing state budget tasks in 2007. The Ministers of Planning and Investment and Finance, acting on behalf of the Prime Minister, will submit these reports to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly according to regulations. The Government Office is tasked with compiling the two reports and the Government's tasks for 2007 into a comprehensive report of the Government, submitting it to the Prime Minister for consideration, and Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung will represent the Prime Minister in reporting at the 11th session of the 11th National Assembly.

2. The Government heard the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment's presentation on the draft Directive of the Prime Minister on addressing and handling deficiencies and weaknesses in land planning and land use in investment projects.

Since late 2003, the Land Law and guiding documents have truly been implemented, receiving particular attention from the people and achieving some positive results. Most provinces and centrally-administered cities have developed dual plans to adjust land use planning until 2010 and established five-year land use plans for the last period of the ten-year period 2001-2010.

However, the implementation of land planning and plans over the past years has not been satisfactory. In many places, decisions approving planning and allocating land for projects have not aligned with reality. The phenomenon of "suspended" planning or "suspended" projects has persisted, affecting the efficiency of land resource utilization and the stability of production and living conditions for the people and businesses, causing public discontent. Violations of land laws remain widespread, particularly in compensation and resettlement when the State expropriates land.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is tasked with leading, coordinating with the Government Office, the Ministry of Justice, and related agencies, incorporating the opinions of Government members, refining the draft Directive of the Prime Minister on strengthening land management in planning and investment projects, submitting it to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision-making.

3. The Government heard the Minister of Planning and Investment's report on the economic and social situation in February and the first two months of 2007; the Minister of Trade's report on the trade situation in February 2007; the Minister of Home Affairs' report on the implementation of administrative reform in February 2007; the General Inspector's report on anti-corruption efforts in the first two months of 2007.

In February 2007, despite the long Tet holiday, due to strict guidance from the Government and relevant ministries, sectors, and localities, all economic and social activities were maintained well. Agricultural production value, although facing difficulties due to prolonged drought, still ensured planting schedules; avian influenza was largely contained. Retail sales of goods and services, transportation, postal and telecommunications continued to increase and basically met the needs of serving the people during the Tet holiday. Tourism activities were lively; export turnover increased compared to the same period. Implementation of capital investment from the state budget and foreign direct investment increased compared to the same period in 2006. The securities market was active; the Consumer Price Index in February 2007 increased but was lower than in previous years.

Administrative reform work has been actively implemented by many ministries, sectors, and localities. The review and reform of administrative procedures, the implementation of the "one-stop" mechanism, the review of sub-permits, and the delegation of management authority have been strengthened. There have been advancements in education, training, healthcare, culture, information, physical education, and sports. National security, politics, social order, and safety have been maintained. Food safety inspection and market management during the Tet holiday have been prioritized.

Activities serving the people to welcome Tet were well organized, diverse, and rich; care for Tet for those who have contributed to the revolution, social policy beneficiaries, poor households, ethnic minorities, remote areas, difficult regions, and disaster-stricken areas was given attention. However, during the Tet Ding Hoi period, traffic accidents increased significantly; the enforcement of the Prime Minister's Directive on prohibiting the circulation, trading, and burning of firecrackers was not strict enough.

In the coming time, some difficulties that have emerged include: the risk of water shortages for agricultural production and power generation due to drought becoming increasingly severe. Avian influenza, although under control, still poses a risk of recurrence; swine fever is spreading widely. Administrative reform progress remains slow and does not meet practical requirements; compliance with administrative discipline and rules is not sufficiently strict.

To fulfill the tasks of economic and social development in 2007, the Government requests all ministries, sectors, and localities to implement synchronously the solutions outlined in Resolution No. 03/2007/NQ-CP dated January 19, 2007, of the Government regarding key measures to guide and manage the economic and social development plan and state budget for 2007.

Each ministry and sector, according to their assigned fields, should focus on building and perfecting the institutional framework for a socialist-oriented market economy, creating a comprehensive legal framework for effective economic development. Strengthening strict macroeconomic balance control; market prices, exchange rates, and monetary and fiscal regulatory tools.

Particularly, attention should be paid and conditions created for the securities market to operate and develop smoothly, but it must be strictly controlled to prevent negative impacts on the economy. Increase exports rapidly, focusing on identifying and exploiting the advantages of new export products. Immediately implement specific plans to address electricity shortages and ensure sufficient power supply for production. Accelerate the progress of large construction projects serving economic and social development goals.

In the field of agricultural production; implement urgent measures to prevent brown planthopper, rice yellow dwarf, and rice leaf curl diseases; proactively detect, prevent, and effectively combat avian influenza and swine fever; actively fight drought and have plans to assist and guide the people in drought-prone and water-scarce areas to adjust crop and livestock structures appropriately.

Regarding social policies: Direct the effective implementation of national programs and targets to eliminate hunger and reduce poverty; programs and proposals to support production and living conditions for particularly difficult communes, mountainous areas, and ethnic minority regions. Promote the development of proposals on tuition and medical fees in the direction of collecting from those who can afford it and supporting the poor.

Ministries, sectors, and localities must concentrate on performing administrative reform tasks well, continue to review and simplify administrative procedures, immediately abolish unnecessary sub-permits; apply the "one-stop" mechanism comprehensively to facilitate the resolution of citizens' and businesses' affairs. Strengthen decentralization management while establishing quality criteria as a basis for inspection and supervision; investment decentralization must be linked with planning implementation; investment decisions must pay attention to environmental protection and sustainable development.

The Ministry of Home Affairs urgently submits draft decisions to the Prime Minister regarding the Prime Minister's authorization to appoint and dismiss leadership positions in departments and general directorates under the Ministry; management of the Hanoi National University and Ho Chi Minh City National University; decision-making on the establishment of universities.

The Ministry of Public Security urgently submits to the Prime Minister a proposal to improve the procedures and processes for issuing ordinary passports for citizens working abroad.

Regarding complaint and denunciation resolution work and anti-corruption efforts: relevant ministries and sectors should submit guiding documents for implementing the Law on Prevention and Control of Corruption to the Government in accordance with the Government's work program. Firmly refrain from handling anonymous complaints; promptly conclude clearly cases that have completed investigations to handle them definitively according to the law, without causing wrongful convictions or allowing crimes to go unpunished, and publicly announce the results of the handling.

To successfully carry out the upcoming election of the 12th National Assembly delegates, the Government requests all ministries, sectors, and localities to closely coordinate with party committees, the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, mass organizations, and central and local election committees to organize dissemination, propaganda, and prepare necessary conditions for the election./.