Decision No. 32/NQ-CP of the Government Meeting in July 2009

                    RESOLUTION
Regular Meeting of the Government in July 2009
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From August 4 to 5, 2009, the Government held its regular meeting for July 2009, discussing and adopting the following issues:

1. Approving reports on: The economic and social situation in July and the first seven months of 2009, macroeconomic developments both domestically and internationally, the implementation of measures to prevent economic decline; forecasting the global and domestic economic situation; inspection work, handling complaints and denunciations, and anti-corruption efforts in July 2009; administrative reform work in July 2009; the implementation of the Resolution of the Government's regular meeting in June 2009 and the Government's work program for July 2009, presented by the Minister of Planning and Investment, the General Inspector of the Government, the Minister of Home Affairs, and the Chairman of the Government Office.

In light of the global economic and financial crisis, since late 2008, the Government has accurately forecasted and assessed the situation, promptly and flexibly formulated appropriate policies to mitigate and address the negative impacts of the crisis on the national economy. Under the leadership of the Party, the close and resolute guidance and management of the Government, the ministries, sectors, localities, the efforts and endeavors of the entire political system, business community, and the whole people, despite many difficulties, the economic and social situation in Vietnam has shown positive changes across all aspects: agricultural production remains stable; industrial and construction production continues to recover and increase continuously month over month since February 2009; the service sector maintains rapid growth; basic construction investment has made significant progress; macroeconomic stability has been maintained, ensuring major balances; budget revenue has been satisfactory; social welfare work has been prioritized, especially in education, healthcare, poverty reduction, employment...; politics and society remain stable; national defense, security, and public order have been maintained... These positive results create favorable conditions for continued efforts to achieve the target of about 5% GDP growth for the year, maintaining macroeconomic stability, controlling and containing consumer price index increases to around 7%, and keeping the budget deficit below 7%...

The tasks remaining in the five months of 2009 are very arduous, requiring great effort from ministries, sectors, localities, and businesses under difficult economic and social conditions: industrial products must compete fiercely in both domestic and international markets; agricultural production is affected by natural disasters and diseases; export turnover has decreased significantly compared to the same period last year; disbursement of funds, particularly government bonds, remains low; tourism continues to be adversely affected by global economic recession and the spread of disease; prolonged and complex complaint and litigation situations; many necessary legal documents still need to be quickly issued...

In the coming time, the Government requests that ministries, sectors, and localities:

- Persistently adhere to the targets set out in the Resolution of the Fifth Session of the XIIth National Assembly, intensify, actively, and proactively implement effective measures and policies to stimulate the economy to promote growth while maintaining macroeconomic stability and ensuring major balances. Immediately after this session, the National Council for Financial and Monetary Policy will convene a comprehensive evaluation meeting on macroeconomic management in recent times, summarize lessons learned, and propose solutions to continue maintaining macroeconomic stability during the post-recession period, to be submitted to the Prime Minister.

- Continue to review and resolve difficulties and obstacles, while strengthening inspections and urging the implementation of measures to stimulate investment and consumption, promoting production, business, and exports; focus on accelerating the disbursement of state budget funds, government bonds, and ODA funds for infrastructure projects, rural development, etc., particularly emphasizing quality assurance for projects and works.

- The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall coordinate with relevant ministries, sectors, and localities, and strictly direct measures to ensure the sale of agricultural and aquatic products, provide sufficient irrigation water, fertilizers, pesticides, and support high-quality crop and livestock seeds for farmers; proactively prevent and control natural disasters, floods, and widespread plant and animal diseases; effectively implement food safety measures, quickly address excessive antibiotic and chemical residues in agricultural and food production, processing, and circulation; organize and manage livestock slaughter activities, especially pig slaughter in large cities; strictly direct forest protection work, strengthen forces and institutions to effectively combat illegal deforestation; the Ministry of Defense shall instruct defense units to cooperate with forestry inspection forces in the area to protect protective forests and special-use forests.

- The Ministry of Industry and Trade shall organize coordinated and effective operations of government agencies, associations, and enterprises in trade promotion and market expansion; focus on developing the domestic market to boost the consumption of domestically produced goods, especially rice, agricultural, and aquatic products of farmers; coordinate with the Ministry of Health and localities to direct specialized forces to strengthen inspections and supervision of commercial and food hygiene.

- The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs shall take the lead and coordinate with the National Ethnic Minorities Committee and relevant agencies to continue focusing on directing the effective implementation of Resolution 30a/2008/NQ-CP on rapid and sustainable poverty reduction for the 61 poor districts; encourage, motivate, and create mechanisms for businesses to participate in supporting and developing poor districts; promptly complete the proposal to adjust the poverty standard to be submitted to the Government at its regular meeting in August 2009.

- The Ministry of Health shall continue to focus on directing the effective prevention, control, and management of the A(H1N1) flu epidemic, dengue fever, and develop appropriate response plans to avoid causing panic in the community, ensuring adequate provision of medicines and preventive equipment; emphasize publicity and dissemination to the public on proactive measures to prevent and control the A(H1N1) flu, calmly handling when infection is detected; coordinate with the Ministry of Finance to prepare a state budget plan to ensure examination, surgery, and treatment for children suffering from congenital heart disease in difficult circumstances who cannot afford payment.

- The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall take the lead and coordinate with relevant ministries, sectors, and localities to focus on directing the effective treatment of wastewater in industrial zones, waste and wastewater from healthcare facilities, and household waste in urban areas and densely populated places.

- The Government Inspectorate shall take the lead and coordinate with relevant ministries, sectors, and localities to thoroughly review and resolve according to the law all prolonged complaints and lawsuits involving large gatherings that cause social unrest.

- Ministries, sectors, and localities shall urgently announce the set of administrative procedures in accordance with the spirit of the project to simplify administrative procedures in various fields of state management so that citizens, organizations, and enterprises are aware and can implement them; focus on reforming administrative procedures immediately in areas such as customs, taxation, land use right certificates, investment, and basic construction...

- Localities shall pay close attention to security, defense work, and maintaining political and social stability in their jurisdictions; maintain patrols, handle, and ensure traffic safety and order; strengthen educational propaganda to enhance people's understanding of the State's ethnic and religious policies and their voluntary compliance with the law; respect and ensure the freedom of belief and legitimate religious activities of the people; resolutely handle according to the law any acts that disrupt national security and social order and safety.

- Ministries, sectors, and localities shall enhance proactive provision of full and timely information to meet the people's right to information; the Ministry of Information and Communications shall direct news agencies to raise their social responsibility, report truthfully and accurately, and avoid disseminating information that is detrimental to the country, production and business operations, and people's lives.

- Ministries, sectors, and localities shall actively direct the implementation of tasks and responsibilities outlined in the Mid-Year Report on Directive and Management in the first six months of 2009 and the Program of Work for the last six months of the year by the Government; draft and promptly submit to the Government decrees detailing and guiding the implementation of laws and ordinances that have taken effect and will take effect from January 1, 2010, to bring these laws and ordinances into practice; promptly develop plans for economic and social development in 2010 for each ministry, sector, and locality, specifically detailing investment plans and capital mobilization plans to proactively direct and manage from the beginning of 2010.

2. The Government shall hear and provide comments on the draft Decree on pilot establishment, organization, operation, and management of state-owned economic groups presented by the Minister of Planning and Investment; the Minister, Head of the Government Office shall report the consolidated opinions of Government members on the draft Decree.

To date, only the Enterprise Law contains a provision regarding economic groups (Article 149); Decree 139/2007/NĐ-CP dated September 5, 2007, provides additional guidance on the concept and naming of enterprises within economic groups. However, these documents only generally define economic groups applicable to all types of enterprises, without specific provisions for state-owned economic groups, especially those replacing the State Enterprise Law after its expiration on July 1, 2010. Therefore, to further perfect the legal framework for the organization and operation of economic groups, it is necessary to issue a decree to establish a legal basis for piloting the establishment and management of state-owned economic groups decided by the Prime Minister in key industries and sectors requiring development.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Justice, the Government Office, and related agencies to incorporate the opinions of Government members, finalize the draft Decree on pilot establishment, organization, operation, and management of state-owned economic groups, and submit it to the Prime Minister for consideration and issuance in August 2009.

3. The Government has discussed the draft Laws on Resource Tax; Energy Efficiency and Rational Use; Adoption; Amendments and Supplements to Certain Provisions of the Education Law; Access to Information, presented by the Minister of Finance, Minister of Industry and Trade, Minister of Justice, and Minister of Education and Training; the Minister, Head of the Government Office shall report the consolidated opinions of Government members on the above draft laws.

- The Ministry of Finance shall take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Government Office, and related agencies to incorporate the opinions of Government members, finalize the draft Law on Resource Tax; the Minister of Finance shall submit this draft Law to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly under the authority of the Prime Minister.

- The Ministry of Justice shall take the lead and coordinate with the Government Office and related agencies to incorporate the opinions of Government members, finalize the draft Law on Adoption; the Minister of Justice shall submit this draft Law to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly under the authority of the Prime Minister.

- Entrust the Ministry of Industry and Trade to take the lead, coordinate with the Ministry of Justice, the Government Office, and relevant agencies, incorporate opinions from government members, finalize the draft Law on Rational and Efficient Energy Use; the Minister of Industry and Trade shall act on behalf of the Prime Minister to submit this draft Law to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

- Entrust the Ministry of Education and Training to take the lead, coordinate with the Ministry of Justice, the Government Office, and relevant agencies, incorporate opinions from government members, finalize the draft Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Articles of the Education Law; the Minister of Education and Training shall act on behalf of the Prime Minister to submit this draft Law to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

- Entrust the Ministry of Justice to take the lead, coordinate with the Government Office and relevant agencies, incorporate opinions from government members, finalize the draft Law on Access to Information, report to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision on submitting to the Politburo for comments before submitting this draft Law to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly. /