Decision No. 19/2000/NQ-CP of the Government at the regular meeting of the Government in December 2000

RESOLUTION

RESOLUTION NO. 19/2000/NQ-CP OF THE GOVERNMENT ON THE REGULAR MEETING IN DECEMBER 2000

REGULAR SESSION OF THE GOVERNMENT IN DECEMBER 2000

On December 27, 2000, the Government convened its regular monthly meeting to discuss and adopt the following issues:

1. The Government heard the report on the guidance and management in 2000 and the Program of Work for 2001 of the Government presented by the Minister, Head of the Government Office.

In 2000, the country overcame difficulties and challenges in many aspects and achieved significant accomplishments: it halted the decline in economic growth rate, all main targets were met or exceeded; investment capital, production capacity, socio-economic infrastructure were increased; the economic system was further improved; administrative reform made some important progress; political security and social order were maintained; international relations were expanded.

The Government directed comprehensive management of key tasks; proactively and promptly introduced new policies and measures to create a favorable environment and conditions for the people to fully utilize their investment and business development potential; consolidated and enhanced the effectiveness of state-owned enterprises; combined internal strength with active international integration; paid attention to both routine work and urgent issues, sudden developments in the national situation, and focused on researching and formulating major long-term policies; combined economic and social reforms with administrative reforms, effectively implementing set goals. Coordinated well with legislative and judicial agencies, and political-social organizations.

However, weaknesses in the economy were not quickly addressed: productivity, quality, and efficiency were still low, competitive ability was weak. Science and technology, education and training did not meet development requirements. Social evils, crime, and traffic accidents tended to increase. Corruption, waste, bureaucracy, violation of democracy, and arbitrariness were not curbed. Administrative reform was not truly a breakthrough, changes in organizational structure and personnel were slow. Citizens' complaints and denunciations continued to be complex.

The Program of Work of the Government in 2001 focuses on eight major tasks: accelerating high and sustainable economic development; improving the quality of social activities; continuing to expand foreign economic activities and actively integrate internationally; effectively implementing policies towards ethnic minorities and mountainous regions; ensuring national defense and social order; intensifying administrative reform, enhancing the effectiveness of the state apparatus; combating bureaucracy and corruption; improving the quality of judicial agency operations; and promptly resolving citizens' complaints and denunciations.

The Government agreed to approve the Report and instructed the Government Office to incorporate the opinions of Government members, finalize the Report, and submit it to the Prime Minister for signature and issuance of the Program of Work for 2001.

The Government requests Ministries, sectors, and localities to base themselves on this Program, establish specific project lists within the monthly and quarterly Program of Work; at the same time, innovate methods of guidance and management, rectify administrative discipline, strive to complete the tasks set out in the Program of Work, and achieve success in the National Assembly's Resolution on tasks for 2001.

2. The Government heard the report on the task of administrative reform of the Government in 2001 presented by the Minister, Head of the Government Organization-Cadre Department, Member of the Standing Committee of the Government's Administrative Reform Steering Board.

In 2000, the task of administrative reform was actively implemented by the Government and achieved notable results. Many economic system reforms were carried out, functions, tasks, organizational structures, and staffing of administrative agencies were reviewed, and some agencies were initially reorganized. However, the implementation of administrative reform tasks was still slow and not truly a breakthrough in implementing economic and social tasks; organizational structures and cadres were slow to change; overlapping and unreasonable functions and tasks among agencies were not resolved; administrative discipline was not strict.

The Government agrees and approves the report on the task of administrative reform in 2001, affirming its determination to accelerate and innovate institutional building, especially economic institutions, creating conditions to fully mobilize all resources for rapid and sustainable economic development; promptly adjust the functions, tasks, and jurisdiction of administrative agencies, eliminate overlaps and unreasonable aspects; promote delegation and decentralization with clear inspection and supervision mechanisms, clearly defining responsibilities; actively participate in amending the 1992 Constitution, the Law on the Organization of the Government, and the Law on the Organization of People's Councils and People's Committees; strengthen administrative discipline and continue to improve working styles.

The Government's Administrative Reform Steering Board is tasked to coordinate with the Government Organization-Cadre Department and the Government Office to urgently complete the document and submit it to the Prime Minister for signature and issuance of the Administrative Reform Program for 2001; simultaneously, complete the Administrative Reform Strategy until 2010 for consideration and decision by the Government in the second quarter of 2001.

3. The Government heard the report on the implementation of the plan in December, the whole year of 2000, and some key solutions in the first quarter of 2001 presented by the Minister of Planning and Investment.

The Government assesses that the economic and social situation in December and throughout 2000 continued to develop positively. All main targets were met or exceeded. We have halted the decline in the growth rate and there are new factors emerging that will serve as a foundation for higher growth rates. All economic sectors contributed to economic growth, with the private sector making remarkable progress, especially since the implementation of the Enterprise Law.

Industrial production grew at a rate of 15.7%, reaching the highest level in many years. Although agriculture suffered significant losses due to natural disasters, it continued to achieve a relatively high growth rate. Export growth was more than three times the pace of GDP growth, surpassing the threshold for underdeveloped countries in foreign trade. In tourism, the number of visitors to Vietnam in 2000 exceeded two million people, doubling compared to five years prior. State budget revenue performed well, exceeding the annual estimate, with the budget deficit lower than the set target.

In addressing social issues, we achieved many positive results in employment resolution, labor export; disease prevention and control; education and training; physical culture and sports; and information and culture.

However, the competitiveness of goods and the entire economy remains weak, the situation of consumption of certain types of agricultural products still faces many difficulties, consumer purchasing power has declined, and the situation of crime, social evils, and traffic accidents continues to increase.

To successfully implement the Resolution of the National Assembly on tasks for 2001, the main measures that need to be focused on in the first quarter include: promptly implementing the allocation of plans to localities and units; continuing to concentrate on overcoming the aftermath of floods, stabilizing production and living conditions in the Mekong Delta; quickly implementing basic construction investment plans, innovating the allocation of investment capital; intensifying industrial production and import-export activities; focusing on ensuring a joyful, safe, and frugal Tet holiday for the people, creating confidence and determination to successfully implement the socio-economic development plan right from the first month and first quarter, celebrating the success of the Ninth National Party Congress./.