Decision No. 44/NQ-CP of the Government's regular monthly session in August 2009

RESOLUTION

Regular Meeting of the Government in August 2009

 During two days, August 31 and September 1, 2009, the Government held its regular meeting in August 2009 to discuss and adopt the following issues:

1. The Government discussed and reviewed the reports on the economic and social situation in August and the first eight months of 2009, forecast of the economic and social situation for 2009, proposed plan for economic and social development in 2010; assessment of the implementation of the state budget in 2009 and the draft state budget for 2010; inspection work, handling complaints and denunciations, and anti-corruption efforts in August; administrative reform work in August; the implementation of the Resolution of the regular meeting of the Government in July and the program of work of the Government in August 2009, presented by the Minister of Planning and Investment, the Minister of Finance, the Chairman of the State Audit Office, the Minister of Home Affairs, and the Chairman of the Government Office.

The Government assessed that based on the results of the past eight months, the forecast of the economic and social situation in our country in 2009 shows positive changes, gradually overcoming the decline, maintaining reasonable growth rates, and recovering quite well; industrial production has continuously increased; agriculture has developed steadily; services have grown rapidly, with significant increases in retail sales of goods and service consumption revenue; many sources of capital have been mobilized for development investment, construction investment has made considerable progress; macroeconomic stability has been basically maintained, ensuring major balances in the economy, inflation has been kept at a low level; state budget revenue has been satisfactory; social welfare has been prioritized, people's livelihoods have been guaranteed; political and social stability has been maintained.

These achievements affirm that the goals, tasks, and solutions set for 2009 are correct and creative, and need to be focused on directing and managing more resolutely, actively, and proactively in the remaining months of the year, striving to basically complete the economic and social development targets for 2009.

The Government has determined that the overall goal for 2010 is to concentrate all efforts, strive to restore higher economic growth than in 2009, create a foundation for faster and sustainable growth in 2011 and subsequent years; maintain macroeconomic stability; ensure social welfare; maintain political stability and social order and security, and strive to achieve the highest possible levels of the goals and tasks of the five-year plan from 2006 to 2010. Accordingly, the initial orientation for the basic indicators of 2010 will be: GDP growth rate around 6.5%; consumer price index below 7%, budget deficit about 6.5% of GDP.

The Minister of Planning and Investment and the Minister of Finance are instructed to incorporate the opinions expressed at the meeting, promptly finalize the Report on the economic and social situation in 2009 and the proposed plan for economic and social development in 2010; the Report on the assessment of the implementation of the state budget in 2009 and the proposed state budget for 2010, and submit them to the Prime Minister for consideration and comments before submitting to the Politburo, the Central Committee, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, and the National Assembly.

2. The Government discussed the Report on the Orientation for the Planning of Developing Nuclear Power Plants until 2030, presented by the Minister of Industry and Trade; the Report on the Investment Project for the Nuclear Power Plant in Ninh Thuan and the Report on the Results of the Review of the Nuclear Power Plant Project in Ninh Thuan, presented by the Minister of Planning and Investment; the Chairman of the Government Office reported the summary of the opinions of the members of the Government on the Nuclear Power Plant Project in Ninh Thuan.

Developing nuclear power in our country is a new but very urgent issue to diversify energy sources, contribute to ensuring energy security, strengthen the scientific and technological potential of the country, promote the development of many industries and other sectors of the economy, and contribute to environmental protection. The Government advocates gradually building and developing the nuclear power industry for peaceful purposes with modern technology, ensuring safe management and effective exploitation.

The Government adopted the Report on the Orientation for the Planning of Developing Nuclear Power Plants until 2030, the Report on the Investment Project for the Nuclear Power Plant in Ninh Thuan, and the Report on the Results of the Review of the Nuclear Power Plant Project in Ninh Thuan. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is instructed to take the lead, coordinate with the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Science, Technology, and Environment Committee of the National Assembly, and Vietnam Electricity to quickly complete these reports, submit them to the Politburo, the Central Committee, and the National Assembly for consideration and decision on investment policies; relevant ministries must urgently submit guiding documents for the Atomic Energy Law.

3. The Government heard the Report on the Planning for the Development of Golf Courses Nationwide until 2020, presented by the Minister of Planning and Investment.

In recent times, the issuance of permits for constructing golf courses in localities has exceeded necessary levels. To leverage the positive role and limit negative impacts of golf courses, it is necessary to develop a planning system for golf courses in a way that forms a rational distribution across regions, aiming to use land efficiently and effectively, promote tourism, sports, and services, contribute to restructuring the economy, create jobs, and increase state budget revenues. The process of issuing permits for golf course projects must be strictly adhered to, with close supervision. The development of golf courses should not encroach upon rice fields, fertile lands, areas designated for industrial zones, urban areas, etc., should not receive financial support from the budget, and must meet environmental standards.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment is instructed to take the lead, coordinate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, incorporate the opinions expressed at the meeting, finalize the Report on the Planning for the Development of Golf Courses until 2020, and submit it to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision.

4. The Government discusses the draft Decree on titles, quantity, and certain regulations and policies for civil servants at commune, ward, and town levels submitted by the Minister of Interior; the draft Decree amending Article 3 of Decree No. 01/2008/NĐ-CP dated January 3, 2008 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development submitted by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

a) To implement the Civil Servants Law passed by the National Assembly, Session 4, Term XII on November 13, 2008, to continue to improve grassroots administration and consolidate the cadre force at commune, ward, and town levels, the Government will issue a Decree on titles, quantity, and certain regulations and policies for civil servants and non-professional staff at commune level. The Ministry of Interior is assigned to lead and coordinate with the Government Office to incorporate opinions from the meeting, finalize the draft Decree, and submit it to the Prime Minister for signature and promulgation in September 2009.

b) During the implementation of Decree No. 01/2008/NĐ-CP dated January 3, 2008 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, it has been found necessary to amend the organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development by establishing the Forests General Department, Fisheries General Department, and Water Resources General Department under the Ministry based on the current organizational structure adjustments.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is assigned to lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Interior and the Government Office to finalize the draft Decree amending Article 3 of Decree No. 01/2008 regarding the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and submit it to the Prime Minister for signature and promulgation in September 2009.

5. The Government discussed draft Laws on Land and House Tax; Criminal Enforcement Law; Persons with Disabilities Law; Food Safety Law submitted by the Minister of Finance, Minister of Public Security, Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, and Minister of Health; listened to the report by the Chairman of the Government Office summarizing the opinions of Government members on the draft Laws on Land and House Tax, Criminal Enforcement Law, and Persons with Disabilities Law.

a) The Ministry of Finance is assigned to lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Construction, Government Office, and related agencies to incorporate opinions from Government members, finalize the draft Law on Land and House Tax; report to the Prime Minister for review before the Minister of Finance, acting on behalf of the Prime Minister, submits this draft Law to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

b) The Ministry of Public Security is assigned to lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Justice, Government Office, and related agencies to incorporate opinions from Government members, finalize the draft Criminal Enforcement Law; the Minister of Public Security, acting on behalf of the Prime Minister, will submit this draft Law to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

c) The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs is assigned to lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Justice, Government Office, and related agencies to incorporate opinions from Government members, finalize the draft Persons with Disabilities Law; the Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, acting on behalf of the Prime Minister, will submit this draft Law to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

d) The Ministry of Health is assigned to lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Justice, Government Office, and related agencies to incorporate opinions from the meeting, finalize the draft Food Safety Law; seek opinions from Government members and report to the Prime Minister for review and decision on submitting this draft Law to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly./.

TM.GOVERNMENT

PRIME MINISTER

Nguyen Tan Dung