VietNamNet Bridge – The economy showed positive signs in the first quarter of this year, the National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee was told yesterday, May 14. It was also told that GDP growth hit 4.89 per cent, up from 4.75 percent in the same period last year.

After increasing for seven consecutive months, the consumer price index (CPI) in March decreased 0.19 percent over the previous month and it rose slightly at 0.02 percent in April, the lowest rise for the period in four years.

The report was made when the Standing Committee convened its 18th session in Ha Noi yesterday under the chair of NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung.

During the session, delegates will discuss preparations for the fifth sitting of the 13th National Assembly.

Addressing the session, Hung asked committee members to focus on evaluating the socio-economic situation and State budget this year, while seeking breakthrough measures for socio-economic tasks.

He suggested deputies continue reviewing the agenda for the fifth sitting of the NA, especially draft amendments to the 1992 Constitution and the draft revised Land Law.

He asked deputies to continue giving opinions on the draft amendments to the 1992 Constitution, focusing on people's rights to know. Besides, NA Standing Committee members should discuss several laws to be submitted to the NA.

The NA chairman said there was a need to conduct votes of confidence on persons holding positions elected or approved by the NA or People's Councils before the NA's fifth sitting. He described the work as a significant activity to realise NA's supreme supervisory rights.

The session went through several reports, including the Government's supplementary reports on the results of the implementation of the socio-economic development plan and State budget in 2012 as well as the first months of this year.

The NA Committee also discussed the report on the implementation of budget estimates in 2013 as well as evaluation reports of NA agencies on the issue.

Source: VNS