The general goal of 2011 is to maintain macro-economic stability to achieve a higher growth rate than that of 2010 and step up the economic restructuring, stressed Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung at the Government’s monthly meeting on August 30 – 31.
Discussing the socio-economic development plan for 2011, which is the first year in the next five-year development plan, and the 2011-2020 development strategy, Prime Minister Dung said, in addition to the general goal, other goals are to ensure social welfare to improve people’s living conditions while assuring political security, social order and safety.
The Prime Minister proposed the Government aim for a GDP growth rate of 7.5%, a CPI year-on-year rise of 7%, and a trade deficit below 18% for 2011.
He emphasied the need to pay special attention to vocational training and considered it an important index to shift the country’s economic structure in 2011.
Prime Minister Dung also requested formulating mechanisms and policies to support national target programmes, and listed the rural development programme as Government target for the 2011-2015 period.
At the meeting, cabinet members heard about the performance of the national economy over the past eight months.
The Ministry of Planning and Investment reported that in the first eight months, economic structure shifted positively with industrial production increasing 15.2% over the same period last year and the trade deficit decreasing slightly.
The consumer price index in August increased only 0.23% over the previous month; inflation was kept under control; and the GDP has increased quarter by quarter since early this year, and is expected to increase 6.7% compared to last year, more than the 6.5% target set by the National Assembly.
However, the Government pointed out economic shortcomings, which need to be overcome.
Worthy of note was the negative impact of the global market that continued to send prices rising, Government officials said.
Firms and enterprises were still ineffective in mobilising capital sources becames lending interest rates set by commercial banks remained high.
Also at the meeting, cabinet members heard reports on inspections, the settlement of petitions and denunciations, the fight against corruption, and administrative reform.
They debated a draft decree guiding the implementation of several articles of the Enterprise Law, a draft ordinance on management and use of weapons, explosive materials and supportive tools, and a bill amending the Co-operatives Law.
The Government put forth six main solutions to fulfill the socio-economic plan for the rest of this year. Focus should be put on the gradual reduction of the lending interest rate, flexibly managing the exchange rate, encouraging exports, increasing foreign currency reserves, and keeping a close watch on domestic and foreign changes in the supply and demand for goods and services to stabilise the market accordingly.
* At the Government press briefing on August 31, Ho Nghia Dung, Minister of Transport, said the Government has neither developed an investment plan nor taken any action to implement the Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City express railway project,
He added that the Government plans to continue studying the project to determine its size, the technology to be used, sources of investment, and environmental and social impacts which were not included in the project feasibility study recently submitted to the National Assembly.
He said, relevant agencies are studying the project before making an investment plan using ODA funding, not State money.
Spokesman for the Government, Minister and Head of the Government Office Nguyen Xuan Phuc, reported that the Prime Minister agreed in principle to receive technical assistance in the form of non-refundable ODA from the Japanese Government to make investment plans for the construction of the Hanoi - Vinh and Ho Chi Minh City - Nha Trang sections of the Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City express railway project, as well as to upgrade the Hanoi - Noi Bai railway route.
Regarding the restructuring of the country’s debt-hit shipbuilder, Vinashin, Deputy Finance Minister Nguyen Cong Nghiep and a representative of the State Bank of Vietnam said the Ministry of Finance is working on a plan to reschedule debts for Vinashin and define the group’s charter capital.
The restructuring of Vinashin will give priority to paying salaries and insurance for its workers, Minister Phuc said, adding that Vinashin will get new projects once it gains access to capital.
Nhan Dan/VNA
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