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PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng: Greater efforts should be made to realize major solutions for socio-economic development in 2009 – Photo: VGP
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Industrial production continued to grow over the past months, increasing by 3.1% in April. Many provinces saw a quite high growth rate, such as Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu (+10.1%), Quảng Ninh (+9%), and Hải Phòng (+7.1%), according to a report presented at the meeting.
Through investment stimulus policies, retail sales and purchase power sharply rocketed.
The export turnover in April US $4.5 billion while the FDI disbursement was US $2.2 billion in the first four months.
Post and telecommunication networks expanded, welcoming 7.25 million new telephone subscribers in the four months. So far, the phone density in Việt Nam is 103.3 sets/100 people.
Education and social security were guaranteed thanks to the Government’s policies on incentives for poor families and districts.
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Government’s standing members give comments on socio-economic issues– Photo: VGP
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More consistent solutions needed
PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng urged ministries and local to further drastically put into reality the Party Politburo’s conclusion on socio-economic situations in the first quarter as well as the NA’s and the Government’s major solutions to prevent economic downturn, maintain growth impetus and social security.
The Government chief felt unsatisfied when some solutions were realized slowly or ineffectively.
He revealed that the Government just decided to add VND 20 trillion of governmental bonds to raise the total investment for capital construction to VND 64 trillion and urged competent agencies to speed up the disbursement and supervision over the use of this source.
Mentioning the threat of swine flu, Mr. Dũng ordered the Ministry of Health to keep surveillance over the spread, especially at airport and seaports, and continue to provide people with better awareness of the disease.
WTO integration: Initial successes and new challenges
The Government also thoroughly reviewed impacts on Việt Nam’s economy after two years joining WTO.
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Some progresses made by Việt Nam after entering WTO
- Export turnover: US $48.6 billion in 2007 (up 21.9% against 2006) and US $62.9 billion in 2008 (up 29.5%)
- Total social investment: VND 521.7 trillion in 2007, accounting for 45.6% of GDP. The last year figures were VND 637.3 trillion and 43.1% of GDP
- FDI disbursement: over VND 8 billion (2007) and US $11.3 billion (2008)
- GDP growth rate: 8.5% in 2007 and 6.2% last year
- Financial and banking activities boomed in 2006–2007
- Job generation only increased by 2% over the past two years
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Acknowledging positive results of the international economic integration, the Government leaders also stressed that the competitiveness of Vietnamese enterprises and products is still weak.
They also pointed out some weaknesses in realizing the socialist-orientated market economic mechanism, corporate administration, infrastructure building, and labor force nurturing.
To improve the efficiency of WTO admission and accelerate rapid and sustainable economic development, the Government underscored the need to enhance proactive economic integration while building an independent national economy, combining economic development, environment protection, and political stability.
After the meeting, a report on “Impacts on the national economy after two years Việt Nam joined WTO” will be completed and submitted to the Politburo.
It was reported thatthe Government also gave opinions on the plan of vocational training for rural laborers and some legal documents.
By Hoàng Nguyên Hồ
