During the three-day meeting, the Government listened to reports on socio-economic situations in August and the first eight months 2008; on the State budget of 2008 and estimates for 2009; on administrative reforms; on inspection and anti-corruption work in August; and on the performance to deal with consequences of Hurricane Kammuri.

After pointing out some unsolved inadequacies in administrative procedures, capital disbursement, poverty reduction, and birth control, PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng ordered the ministries, sectors and localities to do their utmost in the remaining four months to fulfill the set socio-economic tasks.

According to the Government chief, it is necessary to drastically rein in inflation, stabilize macro-economy, ensure social security, flexibly tighten money while guaranteeing the year growth goals.

PM Dũng assigned competent ministries and sectors to speed up the export of commodities of advantage, tightly control import excess, manage the market to prevent speculation and illegal price escalation.

The PM also placed importance on the proactive implementation of policies on social security, especially in disadvantageous areas.

Concluding the sitting, the Government chief emphasized that one-digit inflation rate must be gained by the end of 2009 or early 2010. Export promotion, commodity demand-supply balance and market-based price adjustment are also included in the socio-economic development plan 2009, said the PM.

By Quang Minh