Directive No. 29/2004/CT-TTg on the implementation of tasks and solutions reported at the fifth session of the eleventh National Assembly.

DIRECTIVE

Regarding the implementation of tasks and solutions reported by the Government at the Fifth Session of the Eleventh National Assembly

At the Fifth Session of the Eleventh National Assembly, the Government supplemented its report on the tasks and solutions to be implemented to achieve the socio-economic development goals for 2004. The time remaining until the end of 2004 is limited, and many difficulties and challenges cannot yet be fully forecasted. To ensure the implementation of the socio-economic development tasks for 2004 in accordance with the targets set by the National Assembly, the Prime Minister issues the following directive:

1. Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of government agencies, Chairpersons of provincial People's Committees under the direct jurisdiction of the Central Government shall review and promptly implement the tasks assigned by the Government and the Prime Minister in the Government’s and the Prime Minister’s documents, particularly the tasks and solutions outlined in Resolution No. 01/2004/NQ-CP dated January 12, 2004 of the Government on key measures to focus on directing and managing the State budget and economic plan for 2004; Decision No. 51/2004/QD-TTg dated March 31, 2004 of the Prime Minister promulgating the Action Program of the Government to implement the Resolution of the Ninth Plenary Session of the Ninth Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam; Directive No. 11/2004/CT-TTg dated March 30, 2004 of the Prime Minister on accelerating the restructuring and reform of state-owned enterprises in accordance with the spirit of the Third Plenum and the Ninth Plenum (Ninth Term) of the Central Committee and organizing the implementation of the Law on State-Owned Enterprises to take prompt and comprehensive measures to implement the assigned tasks.

Each ministry, sector, and locality must assign specific responsibilities to each leader directly in charge of directing, urging, and inspecting the implementation of specific tasks, and promptly report to the Government and the Prime Minister any difficulties, obstacles, and proposed solutions.

2. The Ministry of Planning and Investment:

a) Take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Construction and the Ministry of Finance to concentrate on directing the acceleration of the progress of construction of key projects and large-scale projects important to the economy; study and issue policies and measures within their authority or submit them to the Government and the Prime Minister for issuance to create more favorable conditions and environments to encourage various economic sectors to invest in developing energy, raw materials production, mechanical, chemical, electronic industries, and other supporting industries for production and export.

b) Urgently complete and submit to the Government for issuance a Decree on planning work in a manner that clearly defines the authorities and responsibilities of central agencies and local governments in planning, adjusting, reviewing, and implementing plans; ensure democratic, transparent, and effective planning; specify the public announcement and solicitation of public opinions on plans related to people's lives; provide measures and sanctions for violations of planning or profiteering through planning.

c) Take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Finance and relevant agencies to review and assess the economic and social effectiveness of ongoing major and important projects; based on this, propose to the Government adjustment plans regarding the structure, scale, and investment methods for each specific project (if necessary).

d) Take the lead and coordinate with relevant agencies to inspect and evaluate the implementation of investment policies for infrastructure construction projects and production facilities; carry out inspections and evaluations firmly and cautiously, clearly defining the organization and methods of inspection and evaluation; study and issue specific regulations on the conditions required for land use supervision and construction using state funds, supervision methods, and supervisory responsibilities to ensure effective and practical supervision.

đ) Take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Finance to review the implementation of projects, especially those funded by government bonds, to take decisive measures according to the principle: if projects have been allocated funds but cannot be implemented according to schedule due to lack of conditions and capacity, reallocate these funds to projects that can be completed quickly if additional funding is provided and will be put into use in 2005; review the actual outstanding debts of projects funded by the budgets of the Ministries of Transport and Agriculture and Rural Development, and propose to the Prime Minister a temporary allocation from unused government bond funds in 2004 to settle these debts. The Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance shall arrange repayment of this temporary allocation from the state budget plan for 2005 and subsequent years.

e) Coordinate with the Ministry of Finance to compile the socio-economic development plan and the state budget estimate for 2005 and submit them to the National Assembly in accordance with the provisions of the State Budget Law.

3. Ministry of Finance:

a) Closely control state budget expenditures, overspending, borrowing, and advance payments without ensuring sources for repayment, especially in basic construction investment.

b) Take the lead and coordinate with relevant agencies to urgently identify and announce state-owned enterprises (including holding companies and commercial banks) that meet the conditions for issuing bonds or stocks on the securities market to raise additional capital for production and business.

c) Take the lead and coordinate with relevant agencies to determine the list of holding companies and large state-owned enterprises to be privatized or diversified in ownership, primarily in the power, metallurgy, machinery, chemical, fertilizer, cement, construction, transportation, telecommunications, banking, and insurance sectors; coordinate with relevant agencies to promote the privatization of state-owned enterprises according to planned schedules and strengthen financial audits of these enterprises.

d) Chair and coordinate with relevant agencies to inspect and evaluate the current financial status of state-owned enterprises, promptly identify violations of financial regulations and discipline, unhealthy debts, and poor business performance, and submit measures to the Prime Minister for handling.

đ) Coordinate with the Ministry of Trade to develop and issue, within their authority, or propose to competent state agencies to issue measures to limit and control monopolistic business practices of state-owned enterprises.

e) Study and issue or propose to the Government to issue mechanisms to control and regulate excessive profits of conglomerates that dominate the market share.

g) The Ministry of Finance shall urgently submit to the Prime Minister a Directive on implementing price stabilization measures in new circumstances.

h) Coordinate with the Ministry of Trade and relevant agencies to study and develop proposals to enhance the positive role of state-owned enterprises in regulating supply-demand and stabilizing prices of essential goods in the market, particularly through the participation of large state-owned enterprises (such as Enterprise 91) in developing distribution networks and retail chains.

i) Chair and coordinate with the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, within their respective authorities and responsibilities, to urgently amend certain provisions that are no longer appropriate in guiding documents on tax policies and labor recruitment to ensure consistency and coherence in foreign investment promotion policies in line with committed contents.

k) Chair and coordinate with the Ministry of Home Affairs and relevant agencies to study and propose to the Government on the organization and management mechanisms for monopoly sectors currently operated by state-owned enterprises, ensuring equality for organizations and individuals when exploiting and using these sectors to provide products and services to consumers.

4. The State Bank of Vietnam:

a) Chair and coordinate with the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Trade and relevant agencies to effectively implement foreign exchange balance control, ensure balance between money and goods; determine reasonable exchange rates and credit interest rates; improve the effectiveness of monetary policy management, handle outstanding debts; implement restructuring of commercial banks.

b) Stabilize exchange rates and balance foreign currencies; ensure sufficient supply of foreign currencies for importing important raw materials and materials, especially gasoline, oil, steel, and other major chemical materials.

5. Ministry of Trade:

a) Coordinate with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the State Bank of Vietnam within their respective powers and responsibilities to resolve difficulties and obstacles in production, business operations, and export of goods, particularly customs procedures, taxes, and payment mechanisms through banks.

b) Strengthen market management work to prevent and address unreasonable price increases of products following adjustments in gasoline and oil prices; at the same time, limit the chain reaction effects of gasoline and oil price hikes.

c) Coordinate with related ministries and agencies to study and effectively implement export of goods according to signed agreements to countries such as the United States and the European Union; simultaneously, seek additional quotas for textile exports from these countries; advise and support enterprises in actively dealing with trade disputes; intensify preparations and proactive bilateral and multilateral negotiations to achieve early accession to the World Trade Organization; guide enterprises to prepare adequately to meet integration requirements.

d) Coordinate with production management ministries in controlling the agency system, particularly for important products. Urge and coordinate with the Ministries of Industry, Construction, Agriculture and Rural Development, and Health to quickly complete plans for surveys, evaluations, analyses, and proposals for management mechanisms linked to the establishment of sales networks for four products: construction steel, cement, fertilizers, and medicines, in accordance with the Prime Minister's guidance in Document No. 868/VPCP-KTTH dated February 26, 2004, issued by the Government Office regarding the implementation of domestic market management operations.

6. The Ministry of Industry, Agriculture and Rural Development, Fisheries shall coordinate with relevant ministries, sectors, and localities to focus on directing production, especially large conglomerates (electricity, coal, cement, steel, fertilizers, chemicals, etc.), to boost production, reduce input costs, and strive to maintain product costs at reasonable levels to contribute to stabilizing domestic market prices.

7. The Ministry of Transport shall coordinate with relevant agencies to issue regulations on cargo transportation, primarily container transport, based on the principles of ensuring state management, not hindering cargo transportation, and being suitable to specific conditions of the country and international commitments.

8. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

a) Coordinate with the Ministry of Public Security and the Tourism General Department to study and propose to the Prime Minister the issuance of short-term visa exemptions for tourists from some countries, similar to those applied for Japanese and South Korean tourists.

b) Coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies to thoroughly prepare domestic preparatory work; cooperate with ASEAN countries to successfully organize the 5th ASEM Conference; organize welcoming and serving of bilateral visits by Heads of State during this period.

9. The Ministry of Health:

a) Chair and coordinate with the Ministry of Commerce and relevant agencies to immediately implement measures against monopolies or collusive monopolies, the "permit-granting" mechanism in drug importation and distribution; urgently complete the development of a proposal for the Prime Minister on the development of the pharmaceutical industry linked to the improvement of state management mechanisms regarding production, importation, circulation, and national reserves of pharmaceuticals, particularly essential drugs; enhance the capacity and responsibility of state-owned enterprises in ensuring drug supply and stabilizing the drug market; strengthen state management over drugs, curb and prevent unreasonable price increases.

b) Complete the proposal on medical service fees, including determining the prices of medical services at public institutions in a way that gradually ensures sufficient compensation for costs, primarily regular expenses of healthcare facilities; at the same time, promote medical ethics and prevent negative phenomena in healthcare; study solutions to develop various types of health insurance, expand compulsory healthcare, and accelerate the implementation of voluntary health insurance and community-wide health insurance throughout the country. Coordinate with relevant agencies to study and submit to the Government proposals for amending and supplementing Decree No. 58/1998/NĐ-CP dated August 13, 1998, concerning the issuance of the Health Insurance Regulations.

10. The Ministry of Education and Training:

a) Chair and coordinate with relevant agencies to prepare well the Government's report on education work to be submitted to the National Assembly at the end-of-year session in 2004, focusing on evaluating the quality and educational reforms.

b) Propose practical solutions to address weaknesses in education and training work, primarily in state management, and improve the quality of education and training.

c) Chair and direct the acceleration of the implementation of the Program to reinforce school buildings and classrooms according to the Prime Minister's Decision.

11. The Ministries of Education and Training, Health, Culture and Information, Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, and the Committee for Sports and Physical Training shall study and complete proposals for amendment and supplementation of mechanisms and policies regarding revenue collection, management, and utilization in the public sector (especially in the fields of healthcare and education and training); direct the strong implementation of measures to promote socialization in education and training, healthcare, culture and information, sports and physical training, clearly defining the roles of the State, society, and citizens; it is necessary to organize the implementation of policies encouraging healthy competition, creating mechanisms and conditions for institutions to shift strongly towards autonomous operation and self-responsibility.

12. Ministries managing public sectors and localities shall vigorously implement financial systems applicable to all revenue-generating public units as stipulated in Decree No. 10/2002/NĐ-CP dated January 16, 2002, of the Government.

13. The Ministry of Culture and Information:

a) Direct the implementation of specific measures and policies to improve the quality of cultural and artistic products; develop cultural and information activities in remote areas; address weaknesses in cultural and information activities, journalism, publishing; enhance the effectiveness of state management over journalism.

b) Chair and coordinate with the Vietnam Fatherland Front, mass organizations to implement measures to educate and mobilize the masses to be vigilant against the cunning schemes of hostile forces and Fulro reactionary elements.

c) Develop and perfect institutional frameworks serving human development; promote the nationwide movement "All People United to Build a Civilized Life"; ensure social security and order, foster a civilized and healthy lifestyle, and combat moral and behavioral degradation.

14. The Ministry of Public Security:

a) Chair and coordinate with the Ministry of Transport, People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities to focus on directing and strengthening inspection and supervision forces to strictly penalize violations of traffic laws in order to continue reducing traffic accidents.

b) Seriously and continuously implement Directive No. 01/2004/CT-TTg dated January 2, 2004, of the Prime Minister on rectifying inter-provincial passenger transport operations by bus to eliminate negative phenomena causing public concern.

c) Inspect and strictly handle violations of law by traffic police, thereby enhancing their sense of responsibility and discipline in performing assigned tasks.

15. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall implement the Land Law; accelerate the progress and improve the quality of inspections on land management and usage; guide ministries, sectors, and localities to conduct inspections according to Plan No. 05-KH/TW dated September 10, 2003, of the Politburo on inspecting the implementation of the Politburo's conclusions on investment construction and land management and usage.

16. The Ministry of Home Affairs:

a) Chair and coordinate with relevant agencies to study and propose to the Government to issue Decrees on specialized agencies of provincial People's Committees and Decrees on specialized agencies of district People's Committees in accordance with the spirit of distinguishing the functions of urban and rural governments suitable to the characteristics of each locality; propose to the Government to issue a Decree on the responsibilities of heads of administrative agencies when corruption and negative incidents occur in the units they oversee.

b) Coordinate with the Office of the Government to study and propose solutions to address poor coordination between ministries, functional agencies, and local governments, shirking of responsibility; prolonged negative phenomena and law violations causing public dissatisfaction.

17. The Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, and the Chairmen of Provincial People's Committees shall direct the organization of the implementation of the new salary scale; guide the transition from the old salary scale to the new one strictly and in accordance with regulations immediately after the Government issues new salary regulations.

18. The Ministry of Justice:

a) Chair the Office of the Government to recommend the Government take measures to address the issue of inconsistent issuance of regulatory documents, ensuring that such documents are issued uniformly, consistently, promptly, and within the appropriate authority.

b) Chair and coordinate with the Office of the Government and relevant agencies to submit to the Government proposals for supplementing and adjusting procedures and processes for reviewing regulatory documents to accelerate the review process while still ensuring the quality of regulatory documents.

19. The State Inspectorate chairs together with Ministries, sectors, and localities to continue inspecting investment construction activities pursuant to Plan No. 05-KH/TW of the Politburo and Decision No. 273/QĐ-TTg dated April 12, 2002 of the Prime Minister regarding inspection of investment construction and land management; clarify violations and propose strict handling according to the law to competent authorities for violations.

20. Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities:

a) Quickly stabilize organizational structures, complete leadership positions and specialized agencies of the local administrative machinery, especially grassroots administrations, to ensure effective operation immediately after approval by the competent authority of the election results.

b) Proactively allocate local budget funds to settle outstanding construction debts to quickly put completed projects into operation and use.

c) Direct the implementation of provisions of the Land Law, paying attention to land clearance work; rectify and strictly handle traffic safety zone violations; reclaim land used for improper purposes; issue land use right certificates.

d) Proactively develop disaster prevention measures (storms, floods, epidemics, etc.), particularly focusing on dike protection plans and riverbank facilities, reinforce weak dike sections, avoid complacency, and take weather impacts seriously.

21. Ministries, central agencies, People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities, within their respective jurisdictions, focus on addressing financial and budgetary violations and issues identified and recommended by auditing, inspection, and audit agencies; effectively implement budget settlement review work for the 2003 state budget; strive to achieve the 2004 state budget targets and solutions decided by the National Assembly and the Government; organize the preparation of the 2005 state budget draft in accordance with the State Budget Law.

22. Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government agencies, Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities urgently review the performance of economic and social tasks in the first half of 2004; strengthen supervision of the implementation of higher-level documents and decisions, considering this a regular task for each administrative agency; adopt specific measures to promote the completion of assigned tasks; announce solutions and closely direct the implementation of current issues of public and National Assembly concern to create real changes.

The Prime Minister requests Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government agencies, and Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities to effectively implement this Directive.