Decision No. 78/TTg On the Management of Import and Export Activities in 1994

Pursuant to …;

OF THE PRIME MINISTER

Regarding the management of import-export activities in 1994

PRIME MINISTER

Based on the conclusions of the Government at the meeting on January 13, 1994;

Considering the proposals of the Minister of the State Planning Commission and the Minister of Commerce;

DECISION:

Article 1. The year 1994 marks the beginning of a new development period aimed at accelerating the pace of implementing the strategic goals for economic and social stability and development until the year 2000; therefore, policies, guidelines, and management measures for imports and exports must be studied and resolved in a direction that encourages the maximum development of production, expands circulation, and increases export turnover; priority and incentives in tax policy should be given to the importation of new technology as well as the importation of goods for production and export.

The Ministry of Commerce, together with the State Planning Commission, the Ministry of Finance, and relevant sectors, shall establish targets and regulations for managing each export commodity in 1994, including guiding foreign joint ventures' investments according to the country's export production objectives.

Article 2. For imports, strict and appropriate management is necessary to effectively utilize foreign currency resources and meet the requirements of economic development. Imports must serve the overall balance between money and goods, as well as supply and demand for each commodity sector, without causing sudden price fluctuations.

When specifically addressing the import needs of enterprises, the Ministry of Commerce, the banking system, and production management sectors must thoroughly understand the financial situation and business operations of the enterprises.

Article 3. For important and essential commodities needed to guide production and the common life of the entire nation, the State Planning Commission is the main responsible agency, along with the Ministry of Commerce and related production sectors, to coordinate, decide on the list of goods and import/export demands to ensure a good supply-demand relationship in the market. Specifically, for rice exports, wood quotas for export production, gasoline, fertilizers, steel, cement, automobiles, and motorcycles, the State Planning Commission shall submit to the Prime Minister for approval before implementation.

Article 4. On the basis of the needs coordinated and directed by the State Planning Commission and the commodities approved by the Prime Minister as stipulated in Article 3, the Ministry of Commerce is responsible for managing and directing exports and imports to meet domestic and international market requirements; working with the State Planning Commission and relevant sectors to develop regulatory mechanisms to ensure the following objectives: avoiding bottlenecks in commodity circulation, preventing price surges, and reasonably protecting domestically produced goods.

Article 5. Strictly implementing the Prime Minister's directives in Notification No. 166-TB dated June 2, 1993, the Ministry of Commerce must accelerate the establishment of organizational structures and regulatory mechanisms for the commercial network to meet management and demand requirements in various regions and markets within the country; particularly, attention should be paid to mountainous areas and ethnic minority regions, organizing effective sales of locally produced goods in these markets and directly supplying goods to ethnic minorities.

Article 6. To meet the requirements of encouraging exports, rapidly increasing export turnover, strictly managing imports, and supporting domestic production, the Ministry of Trade shall take the lead, together with the Ministry of Finance and relevant production sectors, to regularly monitor and propose to the Ministry of Finance for submission to the Prime Minister timely adjustments to export taxes and import taxes in accordance with actual conditions and legal provisions.

Article 7. The management of trade between our country and neighboring countries must be rectified, implemented in accordance with signed trade agreements and international trade practices, and commercial contracts between organizations permitted to engage in import-export activities in our country and neighboring countries.

The Ministry of Trade shall consult with relevant sectors to issue regulations on managing trade with neighboring countries, encourage maximum exports of our goods, strictly control imports, particularly limiting the importation of goods that have adverse effects on domestic production and consumption.

The General Customs Department, together with the Ministry of Finance, shall implement the Government's decision regarding the concentration of customs duties on imported and exported goods at a single point within the Customs sector.

Article 8. The Ministry of Trade shall review the entire process of issuing business licenses for import and export, allocating quotas, and issuing import and export permits for goods, to improve these processes towards simplicity and convenience for import and export enterprises; prevent harassment and negative practices in issuing permits, aiming to strongly encourage exports and strictly manage imports.

Article 9. Approve the list of goods prohibited from export and import submitted by the State Planning Commission and the Ministry of Trade in Document No. 1040-TM/XNK dated February 1, 1994, and authorize the Minister of Trade and the Director-General of the General Customs Department to announce and implement this list in the 1994 plan.

This list applies to both commercial imports and imports through aid, gifts, and donations.

Article 10. The Ministry of Trade shall publish the list of goods subject to quota management applicable to items for which Vietnam has committed under trade agreements with foreign countries and where quotas are set by the foreign side; consult with relevant ministries to establish rules for allocation, management, and operation in a transparent, reasonable manner, and adjust them appropriately based on the production and business situation of enterprises.

Article 11. Quarterly, the Ministry of Trade shall coordinate with the General Customs Department to report to the Prime Minister (and send copies to the Minister and Chairman of the State Planning Commission) on the situation of exports and imports, and domestic and foreign markets, especially for major export and import items that have been balanced and directed; simultaneously, jointly with the State Planning Commission, recommend adjustments to targets, limits, and commodity policies to align with production and market supply and demand situations.

Article 12. The Minister, Head of a ministry equivalent to a ministry, Head of government agencies, and Chairmen of provincial People's Committees directly under the Central Government are responsible for guiding and implementing this Decision./.