*** Finance Minister Vu Van Ninh: Finance must be an effective tool for control of the national economy
The Government has set a target of achieving a GDP growth rate of 9.5 percent in 2008. The Ministry of Finance will cooperate with other ministries, agencies and localities to grasp opportunities and overcome challenges. At present, Vietnam has many good opportunities as the national economy has maintained a sustainable growth and all economic sectors have a common development goal with growing sources of capital from economic sectors in the country and foreign investors in order to ensure sustainable socio-economic development, reduce poverty and narrow the gap between rich and poor.
The financial sector aims to successfully complete collection of the State budget and achieve a good balance between spendings and tax collection. Accordingly, the State budget is expected to reach VND323,000 billion in 2008, up 12.2 percent compared to the previous year, while expenditure is estimated to stand at VND398,980 billion, up 11.6 percent.
The sector will also implement tough measures to maintain the consumer price index (CPI) below the economic growth rate. It will also focus on boosting administrative reforms, promoting financial services and further investing in social welfare.
The financial sector will soon complete the financial policy system relating to land management to realise the set target for economic growth. It will continue to review mechanisms and policies to boost the progress of restructuring and renewing of State-owned enterprises (SOEs), big corporations and State-owned commercial banks. The sector will strictly monitor the implementation of international commitments with such organisations as the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) regarding tax, customs and financial services.
In order to attract and effectively use capital sources, the financial sector has to fulfill its tasks in supervision, inspection, anti-wastefulness, thrift practice and anti-corruption in all sectors of the national economy.
In 2008, the financial sector is determined to implement administrative reforms, enforce discipline and create the best conditions for businesses and people, while strictly controlling economic and financial activities.
*** Minister of Planning and Investment Vo Hong Phuc: Sustainable economic growth should be combined with improvements in people’s living conditions
2008 is considered an important transitional year for the five-year socio-economic development plan from 2006 to 2010 with the aim of achieving a high economic growth rate, making high-quality products and raising the competitiveness of the national economy. The country is striving to escape from its underdeveloped-nation status with low income. To realise this goal, it is essential to develop the infrastructure, effectively integrate into the global economy, increase the quality of human resources, promote science and technological research and pay due attention to healthcare services for people. Furthermore, it is important to maintain political stability, ensure national security and defence and social order, expand the social welfare system and properly deal with issues related to traffic congestion, workplace accidents and environmental pollution. It is also necessary to promote administrative and judicial reforms and increase the efficiency of the State apparatus.
In addition, it is vital to improve the investment environment, complete the legal system for the market economy and encourage the participation of all economic sectors. Tax policies will also be reviewed in accordance with international commitments. The State budget will be allocated to projects that are impossible to payback, especially in the fields of health care, education, culture and social affairs. Due attention will be paid to implementing international commitments on trade, investment and services, particularly in the framework of the WTO, the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and the APEC, as well as bilateral and multilateral commitments. Moreover, a breakthrough should be made in developing and improving the quality of human resources and attracting investment so that the country would gain a competitive advantage.
*** Inspector General of the Government Inspectorate Tran Van Truyen: The inspection work will be renewed to establish social order
This year the Government Inspectorate is set to tackle a major issue of public concern – the reform of land policies and laws – as part of its 2008 efforts. Due attention will be given by the Government Inspectorate in focusing on land management and use, the implementation of big projects and national programmes, as well as the fields of taxation and equitization of SOEs. Inspection will be intensified in ministries, agencies and localities at the beginning of the year in an accurate and lawful manner. The inspectoral sector will better handle citizens’ petitions in 2008 and produce statistics on complaints in each locality and the whole the country in order to seek appropriate solutions.
The sector will push forward the anti-corruption fight by completing institutions and effectively implementing law-regulated documents. It will rapidly detect and strictly deal with corruption cases. The sector will also build a database of information about anti-corruption work, increase the quality of State management and boost administrative reforms.
*** Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Bui Xuan Khu: Focusing on administrative reforms and creating good competition environment for businesses
In the current context of integration and tough competition, administrative reforms play an important role in improving the competitiveness of businesses and the whole economy. The Ministry of Trade and Industry has a direct impact on the operation of business and productive activities in various fields. Therefore, the implementation of administrative reforms has become an urgent task. At the end of 2007, the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Industry were merged into the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Earlier, the two ministries had given top priority to administrative reforms, and now the newly-merged ministry also concentrates on this work. The ministry has applied the management system in line with the ISO 9001:2000 standard to simplify administrative procedures, improve working style and assign tasks publicly. Accordingly, those officers who failed to meet their professional requirements have been transferred to do other jobs. Administrative reforms also have had a positive impact on the successful implementation of economic development goals, resulting in high growths in the industrial and export sectors. Administrative reforms will be aimed at providing the best services for businesses and people.
In the future, the ministry will continue to implement the one-stop-shop mechanism, reform institutions and promote staff training. The ministry will give top priority to simplifying procedures for import-export activities and other businesses in the fields of electricity and explosive materials. It will also post forms and some procedures on its website to create favourable conditions for individuals and businesses to complete procedures for one-stop-shop mechanism. The ministry will cooperate with other ministries and agencies to complete the mechanism and ask the Government to create an open and dynamic business environment.
*** Minister of Transport Ho Nghia Dung: Intensifying inspection of the implementation of the helmet law by road users and strictly dealing with violations of traffic laws
The Ministry of Transport aims to successfully implement Government Resolution 32/2007/NQ-CP in order to ensure traffic order and safety and minimise the number of traffic accidents in 2008. It is necessary to raise awareness about the need for traffic safety among State agencies, businesses and socio-political organisations. Ministries and State agencies should set a bright example of wearing helmets while riding motorbikes on roads. The transport sector will launch the movement entitled “traffic culture” to promote the implementation of the Resolution, encourage motor drivers to wear helmets, protect traffic systems and raise responsibility among bus drivers. Law enforcement forces, especially traffic wardens, should strictly deal with violations of traffic laws, particularly those motor drivers who do not wear helmets on the road.
In addition, big cities should be equipped with modern facilities to monitor traffic flows, such as cameras, audio and video equipment and communications and traffic monitoring facilities. Furthermore, top priority should be given to areas where traffic accidents often occur. Last but not least, it is essential to overcome shortcomings in granting driving licenses and examining the quality of traffic vehicles./.
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