Cabinet meeting discusses sea strategy, institutional development

According to the Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Tran Hong Ha and representatives from costal localities, after the implementation of the national sea strategy, the marine-based economy has seen comprehensive development as a result of fishermen’s improved living standards, steady growth of economic sectors such as sea tourism, aquaculture, seafood processing and maritime transport, and dramatic changes in the socio-economic situation in littoral provinces.

Greater attention has been given to marine environmental protection, however, the country is facing numerous difficulties and challenges relating to sea and islands, especially limitations in human resources, marine science and technology, management capacity and coordination mechanisms among ministries, sectors, localities and law enforcement force at sea.

Participants highlighted the advantages of the marine-based economy of the country, and 28 coastal localities in particular, and the great significance of realizing the national sea strategy.

In his speech, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc asked ministries, sectors and localities to continue fully tapping the potential and advantages of the sea, deal with drawbacks and weaknesses in each field and work out proper solutions to achieve a goal of turning Vietnam into a rich and strong country based on its marine economy.

The same day, he also chaired a meeting on the development of institutions with a focus on the revised Law on Public Investment which amends and supplements a number of articles of laws relating to the Planning Law.

PM Phuc said the revision of the Public Investment Law needs to go in the direction of decentralization and give more authority to ministries and localities, particularly the chairmen of provincial People’s Committees and ministers. He underlined the need to simplify procedures, boost administrative reform, ensure transparency in the allocation of capital, and improve the efficiency of public investment management.

He asked the Ministry of Planning and Investment to supplement the rules on public investment projects overseas, while clarifying People’s Council authority in local decisions. “Public investment must be renovated in decentralization and accountability, with clearer responsibilities required for People’s Committees and People’s Councils, as well as Ministers,” he said.

The National Assembly Standing Committee is expected to comment on revisions to the Law on Public Investment in its September session.