Agricultural restructuring was one of the most hotly discussed topics during the plenary sessions on October 30-31 of the ongoing eighth session of the National Assembly.

According to Dinh Thi Phuong Khanh, a representative from the Mekong Delta province of Long An, connections between farmers, and between farmers and businesses have been poor.

She suggested more effective measures be applied to utilise the advantages of each locality, paying special attention to enhancing the competitiveness of Vietnamese agricultural products.

She proposed that the Government allocate enough funds from the State budget to the application and transfer of processing technology and establish pilot models for farmers to engage with joint-stock agricultural enterprises, while encouraging enterprises to invest in the field.

Meanwhile, deputy Le Dinh Khanh from Hai Duong province said it was necessary to reconfirm agriculture as a key pillar of the economy.

He proposed the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development focus on researching domestic plant and livestock species to reduce imports of different varieties; creating a brand image for Vietnamese agricultural products; and strengthening links between the State, farmers, researchers and businesses, with the State playing a central role.

At the same time, Le Nam, a deputy representing Thanh Hoa province highlighted the need to accelerate the distribution of 16 billion VND to support fishermen and implement measures to help the fishery sector operate more smoothly.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat responded to the issues raised on October 30 and 31, and said that despite a number of achievements, such as a 13 percent year-on-year growth in exports and 785 communes fulfilling all the criteria of the new-style rural area building programme, the sector still faced numerous challenges.

He highlighted the key role agricultural restructuring played in adding value to the sector and achieving sustainable development.

The ministry implemented a number of measures to reform the sector, including 16 projects, with six focussing on restructuring cultivation, animal husbandry, aquaculture, and agricultural product processing, and another six focussing on reforming investments, the legal framework, scientific and technological research, and human resources development, he said.

In addition, the Government issued a number of support policies to boost agricultural restructuring, transform cultivation in the Mekong Delta region, and develop aquaculture, he noted.

Currently, the Government is directing the implementation of policies to encourage the protection of forests and reduce poverty amongst ethnic minority groups, the Minister said. The Ministry also called for more investments in agriculture, he added.

He pointed out the sector’s progress so far, with over 120,000 hectares of rice fields converted into large-scale fields.

However, he also pushed for the stronger involvement of ministries, sectors and localities in implementing agricultural restructuring measures.

NA deputies desire return to high growth trajectory

National Assembly deputies yesterday said appropriate measures were needed to help the economy regain high growth.

The deputies were discussing the country's socio-economic situation at the NA's plenary sitting.

According to a Government report, the economy grew by 5.62 per cent during the first nine months this year, higher than the same period last year. The figure is expected to reach 5.8 per cent for the whole year.

Meanwhile, inflation declined to 2.25 per cent in the nine-month period, the lowest in 10 years, the report said, adding that the figure was expected to be less than 5 per cent all year.

The deputies spoke highly of Government management amid many difficulties. They said that with the help of the business community and the public, the economy continued to make positive changes.

However, many said difficulties remained, particularly in production and trade. Businesses still found it hard to get access to credit and a large number had ceased operating.

The deputies also focused on increasing public debt and bad debt, saying that these two problems were being handled slowly. The mobilisation of different resources for development investment also failed to meet real demand.

Deputy Nguyen Cao Son from the northern province of Hoa Binh expressed concern about the unemployment rate of students after graduation, the rise in crime and difficult living conditions for residents in rural, remote and mountainous areas.

He proposed the Government ask the NA for permission to issue more bonds for investment in infrastructure.

Many deputies said the Government should reform ineffective projects and programmes to provide more funds for poverty reduction and greater investment in much-needed social welfare services including healthcare and education.

Deputy Vu Ngoc Dien from the central province of Binh Thuan suggested the Government adopt measures to help promote the sea-born economy.

Many deputies also proposed the Government continue working to tackle difficulties for businesses and residents. This would include promptly implementing policies relating to tax and simplifying procedures to help businesses get better access to credit.

Deputy Tran Hoang Ngan from HCM City said it was essential to have comprehensive measures to promote local production. Providing businesses with interest rate support was needed to help them invest more in equipment and renewing technology.

Some deputies said there should be more regulations on the management and use of Official Development Assistance (ODA) to ensure efficiency.

Deputy Le Thi Nga from the northern province of Thai Nguyen said lack of management over a number of ODA-funded projects led to violations and thus reduced the country's prestige.

She said it was necessary to publicise ODA-used projects and have regulations to help NA deputies and people take part in supervising projects.

During the afternoon session, many deputies suggested the Government pay more attention to investment and handling difficulties for agriculture and help improve the living conditions of farmers.

They said the Government needed to have measures to help tap the potential and strength of each locality, focusing on increasing competitiveness of farm produce and promoting the application of information technology in agricultural production, particularly during the post-harvest period.

Deputy Le Dinh Khanh from the northern province of Hai Duong said the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development needed to focus on developing more varieties of crops, plants and animals to help reduce the cost of imports.

Many deputies proposed the Government take measures to keep public debt under better control as well as to deal with bad debt.

Deputy Tran Xuan Vinh from the central province of Quang Nam said it was essential to increase inspection and supervision of bank loans for investment projects to help reduce bad debt.

The deputies will continue to discuss the country's socio-economic situation during today's session. 

Legislators review three years of economic restructuring

Economic restructuring was high on the agenda at the ongoing eighth session of the 13th National Assembly (NA) on November 1.

During the plenary meeting, Chairman of the NA’s Committee for Economic Affairs Nguyen Van Giau presented a report on the supervision of the economic restructuring process, which is part of the NA’s Resolution No.10/2011/QH13 on the socio-economic development plan for 2011 to 2015.

NA representatives provided in-depth opinions on the implementation of policies and laws on the economic restructuring of public investment, State-owned enterprises and the banking system.

They reviewed the outcomes of economic restructuring over the last three years and highlighted a number of weaknesses, as well as their causes.

A number of proposals were put forward with the aim of accelerating economic restructuring between now and the end of 2015, with a focus of effectiveness.

On behalf of the Government, the Minister of Planning and Investment Bui Quang Vinh received feedback from the representatives and provided more information on the progress made so far.

National Assembly discuss wages increase

National Assembly deputies continued their discussions on increasing salaries for poor and low-income earners on October 31 during the eighth session of the 13th National Assembly.

Many deputies said the salaries paid to leaders of State management agencies had drained the funds needed to increase payments for poor workers.

Deputy Tran Dinh Nha from Thua Thien – Hue asked how the NA would cope with this, pointing out that there were 139,000 State management agencies nationwide with a huge number of leaders and deputies, which means huge spending on their salaries.

He said the number of deputy leaders in these agencies must not exceed three.

In terms of salary increases for poor and low-income earners, NA deputies agreed that in 2015, regular expenditure except for salary payment should be cut by 10%.

They asked the Government to review a number of policies and the reason for failing to arrange funds for salary increases in order to offer them in the future.

NA deputies ask for tightened management of State budget

National Assembly deputies called for tightening the management of budget spending during their discussions on the use of State budget in 2014, as well as the budget estimates and distribution for the following year at the October 31 session.

Many deputies were of the opinion that the budget overspending rate, at approximately 5 percent of GDP excluding Government bonds, is too high compared to the NA’s set goal of 4.5 percent of GDP including Government bonds by the end of 2015.

Deputy Nguyen Thi Quyet Tam said it will be difficult to maintain budget balance next year, adding that the Government’s explanations on this issue are not persuasive enough. She stated that one of the causes behind this problem is ineffective management of revenues and spending.

Other deputies stressed the need to keep spending in line with estimates. Deputy Tran Du Lich suggested reforming the process of drafting the state budget along the direction of increasing the legislative body’s say in this work.

Deputy Tran Hoang Ngan said it is also necessary to make into law the sources of revenues for the State budget.

Deputy Bui Duc Thu pointed to such problems as irrational spending structure of the State budget and rising overspending resulting in high public debt. He and other deputies emphasised the need to reduce short-term borrowing and adopt an economical fiscal policy.

Lawmakers propose assistance for domestic businesses

Lawmakers expressed their concern over the health of domestic companies at a plenary session in Hanoi on October 31, saying that the government needs to devise support measures.

Over 60,000 new firms were registered during the first ten months of this year, but almost 54,000 businesses suspended their operations or were dissolved completely. Out of 485,000 active firms, just over 30 percent are generating profits, Vu Tien Loc, the representative of Thai Binh’s delegation, said.

He called for a level playing field for businesses, which should focus on core operations, apply technological advances, and improve managerial skills and the quality of the workforce.

Along with refining legal regulations and accelerating administrative reforms, the Government should provide small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with preferential credit, making it easier for them to access loans, especially mid-term and long-term loans, he said.

To boost domestic sales, several representatives suggested expanding the campaign “Vietnamese prioritise Vietnamese goods” and closely monitoring trans-border trade.

Accounting for 98 percent of domestic firms, SMEs now contribute to more than 40 percent of the gross domestic product and employ more than half of the national total workforce.

Voters keep close eye on NA discussions

Voters nationwide have closely followed the eighth session of the 13 th National Assembly and showed their great interest in issues discussed during the event.

After hearing the Government report on the socio-economic situation in 2014, Ha Ngoc Dong, a voter from Kim Tan district in Lao Cai city, the northern province of Lao Cai, said he is optimistic about the national economic development as well as the high determination of the Party, the monitoring of the Government, and efforts of ministries.

He also held that discussions during the session have focused on practical issues that are of voters’ concern such as employment, corruption and environmental pollution.

Sharing Dong’s idea, Duong Ba Truc, a former official of the municipal Department of Science and Technology, said he hopes that deputies will pay more attention to issues related to employment and the strengthening of law enforcement.

Meanwhile, Tran Duy Viet, Chairman of the Farmers’ Association of the Central Highlands province Lam Dong, said he is delighted at the country’s economic recovery and growth as well as the efficiency of the new-style rural area building programme.

Policies on agriculture, rural areas and farmers have proved effective, helping ease difficulties for farmers, he said, noting that more attention and higher determination from the Government are needed to help farmers better access to capital resources.

At the same time, Ha Van Phuc, a voter from the southern province of Kien Giang , voiced his concern over the quality of health care services and the overloading in hospital.

Phuc, who is also Deputy Director of the provincial Health Department, said more support policies should be deployed to attract young and highly-qualified doctors to local hospitals and poor areas, while a larger amount of money needs to be poured into hospitals’ infrastructure and equipment.

NA deputies discuss socio-economic situation

National Assembly (NA) deputies discussed the country’s socio-economic situation in 2014 and major tasks for 2015 during the October 30 sitting of the 13th NA’s ongoing eighth session.

They focused on the implementation of this year’s overall targets and key socio-economic indications, while pointing out a number of shortcomings, including unsustainable macro economy, high public debt, slow economic restructuring, and low productivity.

Along with giving predictions on the impacts of domestic and world conditions in 2015, they also sought main socio-economic solutions for the country next year.

The lawmakers touched upon macro-economic policies, economic restructuring and growth model renovation, ODA use efficiency, the control of public and bad debts, budget overspending, monetary, credit and banking policies, and export market expansion.

They also gave ideas on investment in agriculture and rural areas, support industry, forest protection and development; maritime economic strategy and support policies for fishermen; and social welfares, health care, education and training services for the people, especially those living in disadvantaged areas.

During the sitting, which was broadcast live on Vietnam Television (VTV) and Radio the Voice of Vietnam (VOV), deputies also heard explanations by some Cabinet members on a number of issues.

On October 31 meeting, they are scheduled to continue discussion on the socio-economic situation this year and goals for next year. They will put on table the implementation of State budget in 2014, as well as estimates and allocation for 2015.

Voters keep close eye on NA discussions

Voters nationwide have closely followed the eighth session of the 13 th National Assembly and showed their great interest in issues discussed during the event.

After hearing the Government report on the socio-economic situation in 2014, Ha Ngoc Dong, a voter from Kim Tan district in Lao Cai city, the northern province of Lao Cai, said he is optimistic about the national economic development as well as the high determination of the Party, the monitoring of the Government, and efforts of ministries.

He also held that discussions during the session have focused on practical issues that are of voters’ concern such as employment, corruption and environmental pollution.

Sharing Dong’s idea, Duong Ba Truc, a former official of the municipal Department of Science and Technology, said he hopes that deputies will pay more attention to issues related to employment and the strengthening of law enforcement.

Meanwhile, Tran Duy Viet, Chairman of the Farmers’ Association of the Central Highlands province Lam Dong, said he is delighted at the country’s economic recovery and growth as well as the efficiency of the new-style rural area building programme.

Policies on agriculture, rural areas and farmers have proved effective, helping ease difficulties for farmers, he said, noting that more attention and higher determination from the Government are needed to help farmers better access to capital resources.

At the same time, Ha Van Phuc, a voter from the southern province of Kien Giang , voiced his concern over the quality of health care services and the overloading in hospital.

Phuc, who is also Deputy Director of the provincial Health Department, said more support policies should be deployed to attract young and highly-qualified doctors to local hospitals and poor areas, while a larger amount of money needs to be poured into hospitals’ infrastructure and equipment.

VNA/VNN