Decision No. 28/2007/NQ-CP of the Government's regular meeting in May 2007

RESOLUTION

The regular session of the Government in May 2007

On June 6, 2007, the Government convened its regular monthly session in May to discuss and adopt the following issues:

1. The Government heard the Minister of Transport present the Project on Strengthening Traffic Order and Safety Assurance for National Transportation until 2010 and the draft Resolution of the Government on Urgent Measures to Control Traffic Accidents and Congestion.

The Government basically agreed with the Project presented by the Ministry of Transport and decided to issue a Resolution on Urgent Measures to Control Traffic Accidents and Congestion in order to mobilize the continuous and synchronized participation of the entire political system, change the basic awareness of law compliance among all social strata, effectively control and reduce traffic accidents; maintain the smooth operation of the national transportation system to serve economic and social development, national security, defense, and international economic integration. To achieve the goals of controlling traffic accidents and congestion, it is necessary to implement specific tasks and solutions, including focusing on propaganda and education to enhance the awareness of law compliance among traffic participants, while strictly punishing violations; ensuring transportation infrastructure and strengthening the responsibility of state management at all levels and specialized forces; mobilizing community and social organization participation in maintaining traffic order and safety.

The Ministry of Transport is assigned to take the lead, coordinate with the Government Office to incorporate the opinions of government members, finalize the Project for implementation; simultaneously, complete the draft Resolution on Urgent Measures to Control Traffic Accidents and Congestion, submit to the Prime Minister for issuance in June 2007.

2. The Government heard the Minister of Finance present the Draft Law on Management and Use of State Assets; listened to the Minister, Head of the Government Office report on the consolidated opinions of government members regarding this Draft Law.

In recent years, the management of state assets has been given attention and guidance by all levels and sectors; it has become more systematic, transparent, and effective. However, up to now, the regulatory legal documents related to the management and use of state assets have not been fully harmonized, their management capacity is still low, and they have not comprehensively covered the scope of regulation and relations concerning state assets under market economy conditions.

The promulgation of the Law on Management and Use of State Assets aims to strengthen the legal framework, cover the scope and responsibilities of organizations and individuals entrusted with the management and use of state assets; ensure that the management and use of state assets are strict, effective, and meet the requirements of economic management reform; contribute to effectively implementing the Law on Prevention and Combating Corruption and the Law on Thrift and Prevention of Waste.

The Ministry of Finance is assigned to take the lead, coordinate with the Ministry of Justice and the Government Office to incorporate the opinions of government members, finalize the Draft Law on Management and Use of State Assets, submit to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision on submitting to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

3. The Government adopted the draft Decree detailing the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Prevention and Control of Viruses Causing Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) presented by the Minister of Health.

The Ministry of Health is assigned to take the lead, coordinate with the Government Office and relevant agencies, incorporate the opinions of government members, finalize the draft Decree, submit to the Prime Minister for issuance in June 2007.

4. The Government discussed the draft Decree guiding the implementation of retirement policies for civil servants and the extension of working time for civil servants upon reaching retirement age, presented by the Minister of Home Affairs.

The Government agreed that it is necessary to immediately promulgate the Decree on procedures and timing for retirement and social insurance benefits for civil servants upon reaching retirement age, in order to comply with the Labor Code, Social Insurance Law, Civil Servant Ordinance, and related legal documents; ensure fairness, transparency, and openness in the implementation of policies for civil servants.

The Ministry of Home Affairs is assigned to take the lead, coordinate with the Government Office and relevant agencies to incorporate the opinions of government members, finalize the draft Decree on procedures and timing for retirement and social insurance benefits for civil servants retiring (excluding those eligible for extended service), submit to the Prime Minister for issuance in June 2007 so that all levels and sectors nationwide can uniformly implement; simultaneously, study and submit to the Government the draft Decree on extending the working time for some categories of civil servants and public officials upon reaching retirement age.

5. The Government heard the Minister of Planning and Investment present the Report on the results of production, business services, and investment in May and the socio-economic situation in the first five months of 2007, the Report on the procedures for joining the market and the implementation of the single window mechanism; the Minister of Trade presented the Report on the trade situation in May 2007; the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development presented the Report on the avian influenza situation; the Chief Inspector General of the Government presented the Report on anti-corruption work in May 2007; the Minister of Home Affairs presented the Report on administrative reform implementation in May 2007.

In May and the first five months of 2007, the national economy and society continued to develop positively. Industrial production increased more than the same period last year; agricultural production remained stable. The total retail value of goods and services increased. Export turnover increased more than the same period last year. Foreign direct investment attraction and implementation continued to rise significantly; ODA attraction achieved quite well. State budget revenue increased, state budget expenditure reached approximately the same period last year. Capital mobilization increased more than the same period; the total debt of the entire economy increased, the basic interest rate was maintained at a stable level. The consumer price index in May and the first five months increased higher than the same period but was still within control.

Educational and training activities continued to develop steadily; the 2006-2007 high school graduation examination was organized seriously. Health care for the people, drug price management, food safety management, environmental sanitation, disease prevention and control were given more attention. Labor market information work, job placement, and labor export continued to make progress. Press, radio, television, culture, information, art, and sports activities in the first five months of 2007 were lively, practical, and diverse.

Anti-corruption work was directed with particular emphasis on institutional improvement and organizational consolidation. Propaganda and dissemination of policies, laws, and business guidance; anti-corruption inspections at some ministries, sectors, and localities were carried out, initially yielding results. Political security and social order were maintained.

Administrative reform tasks are being prioritized by ministries, sectors, and localities. The review to eliminate inappropriate permits and the implementation of the "one-stop" mechanism are being effectively carried out. Administrative procedures related to investment, business, construction, land, household registration, civil status, notarization, passport issuance... have been and are being improved towards simplification, transparency, in accordance with the spirit of government and prime minister directives, and are supported by the people and businesses.

However, agricultural production is facing many difficulties due to drought and diseases. Avian influenza and human H5N1 flu are resurging and pose a risk of spreading. Some industrial products are encountering market consumption difficulties, low competitiveness, and slow growth rates. The trade deficit has increased, while the export potential of certain items such as crude oil, coffee, bicycle parts... is showing a declining trend.

The implementation and disbursement of projects using state budget funds, government bonds, investment credit, and ODA are slower than planned. Essential commodity prices for production and living, such as gasoline, cement, coal, electricity, steel, and fertilizer, have increased, causing negative impacts on production development and economic growth rate. Traffic accidents continue to increase.

The implementation of administrative reform and anti-corruption, waste reduction in some ministries, sectors, and localities is still slow, with unclear effectiveness.

Regarding tasks in the near future, the Government requests ministries, sectors, and localities to continue reviewing tasks in the 2007 socio-economic development plan and state budget to decisively guide and strive to achieve and exceed the growth targets set by the National Assembly. In the short term, it is necessary to focus on directing the following tasks:

The Ministry of Planning and Investment will take the lead, coordinate with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Construction, relevant ministries and sectors, and provincial People's Committees to proactively resolve issues within their authority or submit solutions to the Government and Prime Minister to promptly address difficulties regarding funding sources, disbursement, land clearance, and other related issues to accelerate the progress of construction projects and prepare for subsequent projects in the coming years.

The Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of Finance, and the State Bank of Vietnam must pay more attention to macroeconomic balance management, promote exports, control markets and commodity prices, especially essential commodities for production and living; curb price increases; strictly monitor and control fuel price adjustments to prevent speculation. Continue to create conditions for the stock market to develop stably and sustainably; ensure the establishment of new joint-stock banks according to legal regulations without causing negative effects.

Ministries, sectors, and localities must consider administrative reform as a key and ongoing task of the Government and all levels of administration. Continue to review and analyze specific reasons for outdated administrative procedures that hinder progress, and implement measures to improve or abolish them; accelerate reforms in permit and business registration procedures towards simplicity, ease of supervision, and maximum facilitation for citizens and businesses. The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Government Office will monitor, urge, and report monthly on the implementation of administrative reform by ministries, sectors, and localities to the Government and Prime Minister.

The Office of the Central Steering Committee for Anti-Corruption will hold monthly meetings with relevant ministries and sectors to inspect and urge the implementation of related tasks; cooperate with related agencies to reform inspection, audit procedures, and trial processes to minimize excessive time spent on concluding and handling cases. The Government Inspectorate will promptly conclude cases that have completed audits; review audit plans to ensure they focus on key areas and do not affect the normal operations of audited entities.

The Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs will submit to the Government mechanisms and policies to encourage universities, vocational training institutions, and enterprises to participate in training highly skilled human resources to meet socio-economic development needs.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Health shall coordinate with relevant ministries, sectors, and provincial people's committees to intensively and comprehensively direct efforts to control and eradicate avian influenza and human H5N1 influenza outbreaks. In the long term, it is necessary to focus on researching and proposing comprehensive solutions to proactively prevent and effectively combat avian influenza, and develop treatment measures to reduce mortality rates from H5N1 influenza in humans.

The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications shall seriously review its actions and take the lead in coordinating with relevant ministries, sectors, and localities to urgently propose remediation plans for damages, inspect, monitor, and protect submarine optical cables; strictly handle violations.

Ministries, sectors, and localities must strictly implement measures to curb traffic accidents and traffic congestion, striving to reduce traffic accidents. Continue to effectively direct the implementation of programs and projects aimed at eradicating hunger, reducing poverty, creating employment opportunities, and supporting difficult areas. Vigorously carry out maintenance and improvement of dike and water conservancy works; effectively manage drought prevention and proactively prepare plans for typhoon and flood prevention and disaster response./.