During the session, deputies reviewed the implementation of the NA resolution on socio-economic development tasks in 2008, analysed weaknesses in the Government’s performance and decided major development tasks for 2009. They spent much time on legislation, question time and supervision. 

The deputies agreed that considerable progress has been made in implementing national socio-economic development tasks this year despite national and international difficulties. The Government’s solutions to curb inflation and stabilise the macro economy have brought initial encouraging results: the country has achieved a rather high GDP growth rate while inflation has been kept under control.

They noted that progress has also been made in education, training, health care, culture, administrative reform, the fight against corruption and waste, while external relations have been expanded and political stability, national defence and social security have been maintained.

However, the deputies pointed out weaknesses of the economy, including poor and unsteady growth, high inflation, low competitiveness and inefficient investment, as well as pending social issues, particularly environmental pollution. They identified objective and subjective causes for these weaknesses and said the Government’s macro-economic management capacity remains limited.

The deputies agreed that in 2009 Vietnam will continue to curb inflation, stabilise the macro economy, maintain a steady GDP growth rate, prevent deflation and ensure social welfare. It will increase cooperation and international economic integration efficiently and maintain political stability, national defence and social security and order, creating a prerequisite for successfully implementing socio-economic development tasks set for 2006-2010.

In his closing speech, Mr Trong spoke of heavy tasks and difficulties lying ahead and called on Vietnamese people to seize opportunities and overcome difficulties to fulfil tasks for 2009.

He asked the Government, the Supreme People’s Court, the Supreme People’s Procuracy, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, sectors and localities to effectively bring the passed laws and resolutions to life and increase education and communications to raise the responsibility of the political system towards reaching a consensus among the people in surmounting difficulties and promoting the cause of national construction and defence.

He asked the National Assembly Standing Committee, the NA Ethnicity Council and other NA Committees to coordinate closely with relevant agencies in realising the NA resolution on legislation in 2009. At the same time, he urged the Government and relevant agencies to quickly issue documents guiding the implementation of the passed laws.

The NA Chairman underlined the need to step up legislative reform and increase the supervisory efficiency of NA agencies and NA deputies.

He called on the Government and its members to heighten their responsibility towards addressing issues of voter concern, get close contact with voters, oversee the settlement of citizens’ complaints and denunciations and encourage the citizens to abide by the Party’s guidelines and the State’s policies.

Also in the morning, the NA approved a resolution on pilot elimination of the People’s Councils at the district and ward levels, a resolution on legislation for 2009, a resolution on the NA supervision programme for 2009 and a resolution on question time at the fourth NA session.