The efforts of the Party, the army and the people had allowed Viet Nam to record moderate economic growth, increase State revenue and stabilise political life, National Assembly chairman Nguyen Phu Trong said yesterday when closing the parliament’s 32-day last-session-of-the year.

The success had been achieved against numerous challenges, he said.

These included economic instability, poor investment efficiency, an unacceptable trade deficit, high public debt, State-budget overspending, volatile exchange rates and unpredictable inflation that meant higher prices for essential goods.

The chairman listed macro-economic stability, the control of inflation, higher economic growth, the improvement of living standards and the maintenance of political stability as the priorities for next year’s plan.

The assignment of duties and devising of ways to reach goals already set would pave the way for implementation of the 2011-15 socio-economic development plan, he said.

Q&A session praised

Chairman Trong also praised the effectiveness of this week’s question-and-answer session that included the prime minister, four ministers and two deputy ministers.

The questions had focused on pressing issues such as the cost of living; the trade deficit, bauxite mining in the Central Highlands; the near-failure of shipbuilder, Vinashin, and the surety of electricity supply.

“Those giving the answers had admitted weaknesses in their sectors and conceded responsibility for the shortcomings,” he said.

The assembly had asked those who provided the answers to take specific action to eliminate the weaknesses and shortcomings while entrusting the Standing Committee with the task of ensuring this was done.

The deputies had approved nine laws and he asked the relevant offices and agencies to effectively implement them.

The nine new laws are: the Environmental Tax Law; the Inspection Law, revised; the Administrative Procedure Law; the Civil Servants Law; the Consumer Protection Law; the Minerals Law, revised, the Securities Law, the Commercial Insurance Law and the National Assembly and People’s Councils Elections Law.

Refinery resolution

More than 86 per cent of deputies voted for a resolution intended to ensure the effective working of the Dung Quat oil refinery before the session ended.

And more than 90 per cent voted for a resolution designed to simplify administrative procedures at State agencies, especially tax and customs.

But administrative reform were still too slow, the deputies warned.

It had yet to match demand; procedures were often duplicated and irrational and cause difficulties for both citizens and commerce.

“Officials were often tardy and authoritarian,” their resolution said.

The resolution also complained that the implementation of the one-door policy was problematical and co-ordination between agencies was inconsistent.

The deputies asked the Government to address the complaints they had identified through the continuous abolition of unnecessary and inappropriate administrative procedures.

They also want enforcement of the one-door policy reviewed; inspections to detect offenders increased and higher pay and more training for officials.

The resolution dealing with the Dung Quat oil refinery asks the Government to ensure its long-term supply of crude oil; increase its socio-economic efficiency; help people it has displaced quickly re-settle and adapt and audit the project to ensure it complies with the law.

Source: VNS