Deputy PM Phuc responds to NA deputies' questions on several 'hot' issues

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on behalf of the government responded to the National Assembly (NA) and voters across the nation on content related to government’s management and administration while directly answering NA deputies’ questions at the ongoing ninth meeting of the 13th NA in Hanoi on June 13.

Photo for Illustration (Photo: Thai Thien).

* Six key solutions to deploy socio-economic development plan

Reporting on the nation’s socio-economic situation in May and the first five months of 2015, Deputy PM Phuc said that in May, the country recorded macroeconomic stability. The consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.16% in May, up 0.2% in five months, while credit growth reached 5.18% in comparison to 1.51% during the same period in 2014.

The report also pointed out shortcomings and difficulties to be overcome in implementing socio-economic tasks of 2015, including the drought heavily affecting production and life in the central provinces and the Central Highlands, difficulties in consumption of some agricultural products, and declining exports, while agriculture, forestry and fisheries production decreased by 9.5% year-on-year.

The government set out six key solutions: promoting agricultural production associated with facilitating consumption; boosting investment, especially in transport infrastructure; improving the business and investment environment, enhancing competitiveness; addressing social issues; proactively promoting disaster mitigation; and strengthening national security, social order and traffic safety.

* Strengthening the fight against corruption, promoting public service ethics

The first question for Deputy PM Phuc in the morning NA Q&A session was on the results and measures to promote the prevention of corruption by the government to meet expectations of voters and people throughout the country.

The deputy PM said that measures against corruption in recent years have been implemented aggressively on many fronts and have achieved some positive results.

Specifically in 2014, 256 cases of corruption involving 593 defendants were prosecuted, an increase of 25 cases and 25 defendants from the previous year.

Regarding anti-corruption measures, at the last meeting, the deputy PM said that the Party General Secretary and Head of the Central Steering Committee for Anti-Corruption pointed out some large groups of measures: the Party and State must do better in the prevention and fight against corruption; build institutional frameworks on the prevention of corruption; strictly adjudicate corruption cases; and promote international co-operation and the role of civil organisations and the Fatherland Front in detecting corrupt.

* Creating favourable conditions to improve the private sector

Answering question by Deputy Vu Tien Loc (Thai Binh province) on the policy of the government in promoting the private sector, Deputy PM Phuc pointed out that the private sector has a large role in the economy’s health, creating jobs, and contributing to the GDP.

Since the 2005 Enterprise Law came into effect, the sector has boomed with nearly 500,000 enterprises and more than 4 million household and individual businesses established. However, a larger number of enterprises are still simple, while the establishment of large-scale and highly competitive enterprises is needed in the context of integration.

The government has advocated for more a favourable business environment in line with macroeconomic stability to create favourable conditions for private economic sector development, in addition to improving the legal environment on bankruptcy; decriminalising economic affairs; implementing equitisation of State enterprises towards ensuring equality, openness and transparency; and promoting the reform of administrative procedures, the deputy PM stated.

* Strictly controlling public debt

Regarding a query on public debt from a NA deputy from Ho Chi Minh City, Deputy PM Phuc said that the ratio of public debt to GDP has always been controversial. The most important aspect of public debt management is the ability to borrow and repay loans. In Vietnam, due to development demands, especially in infrastructure development, public debt should be higher than GDP growth. Currently, the ratio is at the level allowed by the NA of 62 to 65% of GDP.

He affirmed that the government is very cautious in public debt management. The PM issued Directive No. 02 with a number of measures to ensure public debt at safe level, strengthening public expenditure management; increasing long-term borrowing, domestic borrowing, and external ODA sources at low interest rate (average 1.6% a year); managing loans guaranteed by the government; and fully collecting debts. It is important that the government continues to maintain macroeconomic stability, economic growth, and improve the investment environment to curb public debt.

* Be fully prepared for international economic integration

During the morning session, Deputy PM Phuc also answered questions from many participants expressing concerns over Vietnam joining the ASEAN Community and a large number of agreements coming into effect or negotiations for some agreements completed and signed in 2015, Deputy PM Phuc stressed the need to be active and get ready for integration.

About joining the ASEAN Community, Deputy PM Phuc affirmed the three pillars – the political and security community, economic community, and socio-cultural community. Vietnam is one of three countries actively implementing all the integration content. However, the participation in the ASEAN Community also requires significant effort, in which issues of cultural identity preservation in joining the ASEAN common house is also an urgent requirement set out by the Party and State.

Concluding the question-and-answer session, NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung said the session heard over 130 opinions from the deputies and more than 200 issues of public concerns put on the table. The discussion took place in a democratic, straightforward, and constructive fashion, he said.

NA Chairman Hung stated that after the session, the NA requested governments and relevant authorities at all levels implement necessary measures to create positive changes for questioning issues.

(Source: nhandan.org.vn)