Prime Minister takes floor at NA Q&A session
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc cleared up a range of issues of public concern at the National Assembly (NA)’s Q&A session on November 18.
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Meeting the expectations of deputies and voters nationwide, the PM spent two and a half hours answering questions frankly and honestly.
Opening the session, PM Phuc reported that the country’s socio-economic development in 2017 has seen positive achievements, fulfilling and surpassing all the 13 targets.
The Government has taken numerous measures to reform administrative procedures, he said, adding that 14 resolutions on this matter have been issued.
Regarding the reshuffle of the contingent of State officials and civil servants under the resolution of the Politburo, since 2015, 30,000 personnel have been cut down, the PM said.
He revealed the Government’s determination to reduce at least 2.5 percent of personnel in the whole political system per year by 2021, towards a modern, transparent and effective administrative apparatus.
Responding to a question on measures to narrow the gap between the rich and the poor, and between rural and urban areas, PM Phuc said the Government will step up economic restructuring, increase productivity, quality and efficiency, as well as provide training and jobs for people in remote areas.
Regarding the promotion of the role and contributions of the private economic sector, he stressed the need to improve the business climate towards openness and transparency, ensure an equal access to resources, and simplify procedures.
“It is necessary to create a space for private businesses to develop and boost cooperation between Vietnamese and foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprises,” he said.
Affirming the role of FDI businesses in promoting the country’s economy by increasing exports, generating jobs and transferring technologies and management skills, the Government leader noted that the FDI sector is part of the Vietnamese economy.
However, he also pointed out several shortcomings of the sector such as medium technology, transfer pricing, tax evasion and environmental violations.
“We must strictly punish any violations. We do not need investment at any cost,” he stressed.
About the growth quality of Vietnam, PM Phuc affirmed that the economic growth has improved remarkably with a relatively high speed for a long time and a positive structure of narrowed agriculture and increased industry.
The export turnover may reach US$210 billion this year, an annual rise of 21 percent compared to the set plan of 7 percent. The competitiveness index climbed five places while the locals’ life expectancy increased to 73.7 years from 72.9 years in 2010, making Vietnam a country with the highest life expectancy in Asia, he added.
Clarifying the concept of the growth-enabling Government, the Cabinet leader said the task of this kind of government is to actively design policies and laws serving the national development.
He affirmed the Government’s determination to create a favourable business climate that will not only lead the ASEAN region but also be similar to those in developed countries.
“This is a government of action that heightens individual responsibility, sets up rules and immediately dismisses any officials who fail to meet requirements,” he noted.
Regarding a question related to the hot issue of corruption, the PM asserted there are no “prohibited zones” in dealing with corruption, adding that the executive and judicial systems will coordinate better with each other in handling corruption cases and make public investigation results.
The Party and State always consider corruption prevention an important task and the Politburo set up a Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption led by the Party General Secretary, he said.
The Government is collecting feedback to complete the revised Anti-Corruption Law, closely supervising the settlement of violations, and raising the awareness of officials and civil servants.
In addition, it will continue to perfect institutions, step up transparency, build the e-government and enhance power control in an effort to fight corruption, he added.
During the session, the PM also fielded questions on enhancing the capacity of civil servants in handling administrative procedures, investment in culture, policies for ethnic minority people, equitisation of State-owned enterprises and forest protection.
