VietNamNet Bridge – National Assembly (NA) deputies on June 2 agreed in principle with the Government’s solutions on socio-economic development, which are to be focused on maintaining macroeconomic stability, accelerating economic restructuring along and energising the growth model.

At the plenary debate in Hanoi, lawmakers commented the Government’s report and the NA Standing Committee’s verification report on the 2013 socio-economic development results and the progress made in the first months of this year.

They acknowledged efforts by ministries and local authorities in ensuring macro-economic stability, easing difficulties for businesses, maintaining security and improving the people’s lives.

Regarding negotiations on trade agreements, Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang said Vietnam has set up trade ties with over 180 countries, adding that the country has to date signed eight free trade agreements and is conducting negotiations on six others.

According to Hoang, Vietnam is following a policy of protecting farmers and farm produce to help this group enjoy economic growth.

Talks on the six forthcoming deals will ensure that they are agreed and tied to the principle of respecting Vietnam’s internal affairs without interference, consequently balancing the development gap.

Vietnam has applied the principles in its negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement and with the European Union.

Also at the discussion, many participants proposed the Government assess the impact of the current East Sea situation on the economy in its socio-economic development in 2014 and the following years. They suggested the building of a mechanism to continue luring investment while ensuring national sovereignty.

Most of the deputies expressed their agreement with the plan on ensuring the central and local budget balance for 2013 to invest in the law enforcement forces at sea such as the coast guard, fishery administration and offshore fishermen.

The issues are being discussed in the afternoon session.

NA debates socio-economic development during first months

National Assembly (NA) deputies on June 2 discussed the implementation of socio-economic development plans and the State budget in the first months of the year.

The pointed out shortcomings during the implementation process as well as their objective and subjective reasons while anticipating possible impacts of the complicated developments in the East Sea on the fulfillment of targets set for the year.

Lawmakers paid attention to tasks and solutions to realise the goals, including increasing total demand, enhancing the economy’s internal strength, ensuring social welfare, security, social order and safety, and firmly safeguarding the national sovereignty.

Supplementary assessment on the implementation of the socio-economic development plans and the State budget in 2013 as well as measures to ensure the central and local budget balance were also on the agenda.

The deputies talked social welfare and public health care policies, the issue of national territorial sovereignty, worker management at industrial parks, marine economic development strategy and support policies for fishermen.

Investment for agriculture, rural areas and farmers as well as policies to develop and expand import-export markets were also tabled.

On June 3, the NA will discuss the draft revised Law on National Assembly Organisation and the draft amended Law on Organisation of the People’s Court.

Source: Vietnam Plus