The major tasks were set at a regular monthly Cabinet meeting, the last of 2007, in Hanoi on December 23-24, chaired by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.  

On track for integration and development

According to Cabinet members, in 2007 the Government has embarked on guidelines and resolutions adopted by the Party and the National Assembly, and observed the principle of democracy and centralism, as well as adhering to its working regulations in the interest of the people and for national development. All Cabinet members have united to adopt measures and carry out major tasks, from building and perfecting institutions and policies to effectively addressing urgent and sensitive issues in socio-economic development, thereby achieving important results in 2007.

Despite the adverse impact caused by market fluctuations, natural calamities and epidemics, Mr Dung said Vietnam has achieved an economic growth rate of 8.5 percent and the macro-economy has been kept in balance. Significant progress has been made in cultural and social affairs with an additional 3 percent of households escaping poverty. Administrative reform and the fight against corruption have achieved initial results, building up the people’s trust in the Party and State. In addition, diplomatic activities have elevated Vietnam’s role and position in the international arena.

“Despite shortcomings, the socio-economic development achievements of 2007 have created a fresh impetus for Vietnam to move ahead on the road to integration and development,” said the PM.

He also pointed out governing weaknesses in 2007, leading to a high consumer price index, high trade deficit, slow disbursement of investment capital for key construction projects, and poor quality of research, planning, policy-making and forecasting. In addition, he said the country’s socio-economic infrastructure and human resources have not kept up with the requirements of development, and cumbersome administrative procedures have limited the development process. The PM asked ministries and relevant agencies to look at these weaknesses and devise effective solutions to them. 

Key tasks for 2008

The Government leader said that as 2008 is the mid year of the 2006-2010 socio-economic development plan, Vietnam aims to fulfil major tasks set for 2010 primarily within 2008 and all tasks in 2009. To this end, he said the country is striving to achieve an economic growth rate of 9 percent in 2008, along with ensuring the macro-economic policy remains in line with the market mechanism and with a lower inflation rate than the economic growth.

Another task is to improve the people’s living conditions, particularly amongst the poor and social policy beneficiaries, and to reduce the rate of poor households by an additional 3 percent. More efforts should be made to create a breakthrough in socio-economic infrastructure development and personnel training, and accelerate administrative reform, especially procedures relating to the people, businesses and capital construction investment. The PM underlined the need to step up the fight against corruption at all levels, considering it a key task of the entire political system.

Mr Dung asked ministries, sectors and localities to carry out socio-economic development plans on the first days of 2008, focusing on the quality and efficiency of these plans. He also urged them to ensure an adequate supply of commodities, stabilise the macro-economy and maintain security and social order during the upcoming lunar New Year Festival. 

New traffic planning in Hanoi, HCM City

Cabinet members spent much time discussing plans to deal with serious traffic congestion in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. According to the PM, the immediate solution is to complete traffic planning in the two cities in early 2008, along with zoning plans.

In addition to enhancing the publicity about traffic rules, he said traffic management and control should be carried out in more scientific and efficient manner. He proposed reducing private transport and increasing public means of transport to meet the consumer demand. He agreed to increase the number of traffic police and equipment for Hanoi and HCM City to control and deal with violations.

The PM asked Hanoi and HCM City to study plans to relocate universities and colleges to suburban areas. He also asked the Ministry of Construction to closely coordinate with the two cities to develop urban planning in line with transport and population planning. He assigned the Ministry of Public Security to control the mechanical increase in demographics.