VietNamNet Bridge – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung asked ministries and localities to continue the comprehensive and effective implementation of socio-economic development tasks at a Government meeting in Ha Noi yesterday, April1.

Farmers harvest rice in the southern province of Hau Giang's Chau Thanh A District. The high volume of bad debt and falling prices of agricultural products, especially rice, should be dealt with, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said.

The Prime Minister pointed out shortcomings and limitations in the economy that should be fixed, such as low credit growth and investment disbursement, a high volume of bad debt and falling prices of agricultural products, especially rice, tra and basa fish and poultry.

"We need to increase sustainable credit growth in combination with solving bad debts, while speeding up the disbursement of public investment and site clearance for key projects, particularly transport works," he said.

Emphasising the need to maintain macroeconomic stability, Dung urged ministries, agencies and localities to control market prices, ensure the balance of supply and demand and strictly punish any acts of trading fake, smuggled or sub-standard products.

They were also urged to focus on removing difficulties for businesses, improving the investment environment and expanding domestic and foreign markets.

"We should strive to conclude negotiations for free trade agreements to promote trade and investment," he said.

The Government leader also asked ministries and localities to take stronger steps in the restructuring of public investment, the banking system and businesses, while providing up to date and objective information for the public and the press, contributing to successfully fulfilling objectives and tasks set for 2014.

At the meeting, Government members agreed that the country's socio-economic situation in the first quarter of this year saw positive results, with inflation curbed, market prices stabilised and supply and demand of goods ensured.

The consumer price index in March dropped 0.44 per cent compared to the previous month, the lowest in many years, and the gross domestic product grew by 4.96 per cent.

Exports increased 14.1 per cent year-on-year and a trade surplus was recorded.

The first quarter also saw more than 4,600 businesses resume operations, up 48.9 per cent against the fourth quarter last year.

Later at a press briefing Minister-Chairman of the Government Office Nguyen Van Nen said the Prime Minister had asked the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to submit a feasibility report so that the Government can decide whether or not to go ahead with the plan to host the 18th Asian Games (ASIAD18).

He said Viet Nam was yet to make a deposit for organising the event.

He noted that two countries have previously returned their winning bids to host the ASIAD.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung asked ministries and localities to continue the comprehensive and effective implementation of socio-economic development tasks at a Government meeting in Ha Noi yesterday.

A Vietnam News Agency report yesterday quoted Nguyen Bac Son, the Minister of Information and Communications, as saying Mobifone would be detached from VNPT.

Vinaphone and Mobifone would become two separate mobile telecom service providers in the market, Son said.

Referring to the bribery allegations involving Japan Transportation Consultants, Inc. (JTC) and Viet Nam's railways sector, Nen said relevant ministries and sectors had been asked to investigate the case and strictly deal with any violations found.

PM Dung and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe had discussed the case and agreed to work closely together in investigating it, he added.

Source: VNS