Decision No. 191/2006/QD-TTg dated August 17, 2006 of the Prime Minister promulgating the Government's Program of action for implementation of the Political Bureau's Resolution No. 54/NQ-TW dated September 14, 2005, on socio-economic development and defense and security maintenance in the Red River Delta up to 2010 and orientations toward 2020

DECISION

PROMULGATING THE GOVERNMENT'S PROGRAM OF ACTION FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POLITICAL BUREAU'S RESOLUTION NO. 54/NQ-TW OF SEPTEMBER 14, 2005, ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND DEFENSE AND SECURITY MAINTENANCE IN THE RED RIVER DELTA UP TO 2010 AND ORIENTATIONS TOWARD 2020

THE PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the December 25, 2001 Law on Organization of the Government;

Pursuant to the Political Bureau's Resolution No. 54-NQ/TW of September 14, 2005;

At the proposal of the Planning and Investment Minister,

DECIDES:

Article 1.- To promulgate together with this Decision the Government's program of action for implementation of the Political Bureau's Resolution No. 54-NQ/TW of September 14, 2005, on socio-economic development and defense and security maintenance in the Red River delta, which consists of 12 provinces and cities: Ha Noi, Hai Phong, Ha Tay, Hai Duong, Hung Yen, Bac Ninh, Vinh Phuc, Quang Ninh, Thai Binh, Ha Nam, Nam Dinh and Ninh Binh, up to 2010 and orientations toward 2020.

Article 2.- This Decision shall take effect 15 days after its publication in "CONG BAO."

Article 3.- Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government-attached agencies and presidents of People's Committees of the Red River delta provinces and cities shall have to implement this Decision.

PROGRAM

OF ACTION FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POLITICAL BUREAU'S RESOLUTION No. 54-NQ/TW OF SEPTEMBER 14, 2005, ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND DEFENSE AND SECURITY MAINTENANCE IN THE RED RIVER DELTA UP TO 2010 AND ORIENTATIONS TOWARD 2020
(Promulgated together with the Prime Minister's Decision No. 191/2006/QD-TTg of August 17, 2006)

The Red River delta consists of 12 provinces and cities: Ha Noi, Hai Phong, Ha Tay, Hai Duong, Hung Yen, Bac Ninh, Vinh Phuc, Quang Ninh, Thai Binh, Ha Nam, Nam Dinh and Ninh Binh. In furtherance of the Political Bureau's Resolution No. 54-NQ/TW of September 14, 2005, on socio-economic development and defense and security maintenance in the Red River delta up to 2010 and orientations toward 2020 (hereinafter referred to as Resolution No. 54 for short), the Prime Minister promulgated this Program of Action for direction, management and use as a basis by administrations of all levels, all branches and enterprises of all economic sectors to orientate their activities, ensuring the fast, efficient and sustainable development of the Red River delta, with the following principal contents:

I. OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM

The basic objectives of the Program are to create a uniform foundation for coordinated actions of administrations at all levels and all branches for the successful materialization of the Political Bureau's Resolution No. 54-NQ/TW, and to create a prerequisite for socio-economic development in leaps and bounds in the Red River delta, thus making worthy contributions to the national development in the context of globalization and international economic integration.

The Government's Program of Action for implementation of the Political Bureau's Resolution No. 54-NQ/TW aims to achieve the following objectives set for the Red River delta:

1. General development objectives

To bring into the fullest play potentials and comparative advantages in natural resources, human resources as well as the intellect of the intelligentsia and entrepreneurs; and to bring into play the people's spirit of industriousness, creativity and thrift in order to promote the fast, sustainable and high-level development of the Red River delta which takes the lead in national industrialization and modernization and sees typical cultural and social development throughout the country; to ensure political stability and firm defense and security; to continue affirming its role as a driving-force economic region which makes great contributions to national economic growth and promotes and supports the development of other regions, especially those meeting with difficulties; to create a balanced and harmonious development in localities and sub-regions of the Red River delta.

2. Specific development objectives

By 2020, to basically complete the development of high-quality human resources, the formation of a modern economic structure and rationally developed infrastructure and urban systems, and to achieve the following principal objectives:

- The region's GDP shall increase by 11-12%/year in the 2006-2010 period and around 11%/year in the 2011-2020, accounting for around 23-24% by 2010 and 26-27% by 2020 of the country's GDP.

- The poor household rate shall fall by 2%/year on average.

- To raise economic competitiveness in order to surmount challenges and make use of opportunities for promotion of market development and expansion, ensuring an annual export value growth rate of over 18%, so that the region's export value shall account for over 20% of the total export value of the whole country by 2010.

- State budget revenues shall increase by 17%/year on average.

- The percentage of trained laborers shall be over 55% by 2010 and over 80% by 2020. To reduce the unemployment rate to 6.5% by 2010 and to control it at 4% afterwards.

- The average annual technology renewal rate shall be 20%.

- To protect the environment and sustainable development.

II. SPECIFIC TASKS AND SOLUTIONS

To achieve the set objectives, administrations at all levels and all branches should further carry out comprehensive reform and concurrently coordinate with one another in performing the following tasks and solutions:

A. COMPLETING THE REVIEW AND ADJUSTMENT OF THE MATER PLAN ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PLANNINGS ON DEVELOPMENT OF BRANCHES, DOMAINS AND KEY PRODUCTS TILL 2020

To expeditiously complete the review, adjustment or elaboration of the master plan on socio-economic development, branch development plannings and plannings on key products in the direction of raising the planning quality, tapping to the utmost the region's potential and advantages for its fast and sustainable development. The ministries, branches and localities shall concretize plannings into investment programs, projects and plans.

Requirements on planning review, adjustment or elaboration shall be as follows:

- Thoroughly grasping and concretizing the tasks set forth in the Political Bureau's Resolution No. 54, attaching importance to the harmonious development of branches, localities and sub-regions and satisfying the international economic integration conditions. At the same time, clearly identifying key geographical areas, branches, products and works in which investment must be prioritized so as to create a breakthrough in the region's development.

- Attaching importance to the planning quality, taking into full account the market elements, international economic integration, adopting a long-term vision, and ensuring fast and sustainable development.

- A vision towards 2020 must be drawn up in the plannings and appropriate steps must be taken, clearly specifying tasks to be completed in five years (2006-2010). Harmonizing infrastructure plannings (referred to as hard planning) and plannings on service systems and key products (referred to as soft planning).

- Ensuring modernity in the plannings on urban centers, which must be designed in the system of urban-center chains and satellite urban centers, attaching importance to environmental and landscape protection, step by step raising the people's living standards.

- Clearly specifying the list of key works and modes of mobilizing capital for each work in the plannings on development of the socio-economic infrastructure system (communication, power, telecommunications, irrigation, industrial parks, educational and training establishments, medical examination and treatment establishments, cultural works, etc.). The orientation for development of production and business branches must be clearly stated and domains in which development investment shall be concentrated by the State must be identified to serve as a basis for development investment by all economic sectors.

- Clearly determining investment programs and projects eligible for priority investment in five years (2006-2010), capital demand and the structure of mobilized capital of each program or project, as well as solutions, mechanisms and policies for mobilizing investment capital. Selecting and putting important schemes and projects in a priority order before incorporating them in annual plans, while keeping up with the WTO entry roadmap to which Vietnam has committed.

B. WORKING OUT FIVE-YEAR (2006-2010) IMPLEMENTATION PLANS OF BRANCHES AND LOCALITIES FOR INFRASTRUCTURE CONSTRUCTION INVESTMENT

The concerned ministries, branches and localities shall assess results and efficiency of infrastructure construction investment and urban development in the past years and work out plans on definite completion of investment in key projects as well as plans on investment in important infrastructures in the 2006-2010 period and up to 2020, with priority given to the development and modernization of the traffic network, infrastructures of industrial parks, tourism, clean water supply, waste treatment, environmental protection and housing.

C. WORKING OUT FIVE-YEAR (2006-2010) IMPLEMENTATION PLANS OF BRANCHES AND LOCALITIES FOR KEY BRANCHES AND PRODUCTS

The Red River delta's plan on development of key branches and products in the 2006-2010 period has set forth the objective of fast and sustainable development on the basis of strongly restructuring the economy and products, and bringing into full play the region's comparative advantages based on high and advanced technologies, on the guiding principle of building branches and turning out products, which can make a breakthrough, have high competitiveness on the domestic and international markets and bring about great domestic added value and high efficiency.

For industry:

To select, upgrade and modernize existing production establishments on the basis of their efficiency and competitiveness; to promote the development of high technologies, clean technologies and biotechnology; to attach importance to the development of a number of key industries which can make a breakthrough, such as information technology, electronics, machine building, shipbuilding, manufacture of telecommunications equipment, power, steel, materials (especially new materials), and pharmaceuticals; to pay attention to the development of labor-intensive light industries. To bring into the fullest play the key role of industrial parks. To prioritize the development of base industries (mechanical engineering, metallurgy, etc.) and supporting industries.

For services:

To prioritize the rapid and efficient development of high-quality services; to develop services in a comprehensive and sustainable manner, with a special attention paid to such services as finance, banking, tourism, entertainment and recreation, technology transfer, telecommunications and information technology, international transportation, mass transit, training and healthcare.

For agriculture, forestry and fishery:

To further accelerate the restructuring of agriculture and rural economy in the direction of combining commodity production with processing, and realizing industrialization and modernization. To bring into full play the region's geo-political, geo-economic, soil, ecosystem and climate advantages to raise productivity, quality and competitiveness of commodity farm produce, develop a clean agriculture and high technologies in order to step by step form large-scale commodity production and turn out diversidied products, yielding high economic and social benefits; to attach importance to the planting of coastal protective forests and encourage people to plant trees for natural disaster prevention and mitigation. To develop craft villages and rural industrial and service clusters.

D. PERFECTING GENERAL INSTITUTIONS AND MECHANISMS AND POLICIES FOR MANAGEMENT OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POLITICAL BUREAU’S RESOLUTION No. 54

Under the Government's direction and within the ambit of their respective functions and tasks, the concerned ministries, branches and localities shall coordinate with one another in perfecting mechanisms, policies and institutional frameworks on management of effective implementation of the Political Bureau's Resolution No. 54. To pay special attention to the coordination mechanisms and policies on land, finance, training of human resources, treatment of solid waste, hazardous waste, hospital waste, industrial wastewater, rational use of water resources, administrative reform, etc. To make the political system clean and strong and build a contingent of capable managerial officials; and at the same time, to adopt a policy on mobilization of all resources to satisfy development requirements.

E. COMMUNICATION AND PROPAGATION

The mass media agencies and concerned local administrations shall organize the notification, dissemination and propagation of the Government's Program of Action for implementation of the Political Bureau's Resolution No. 54.

F. TASKS OF MINISTRIES, MINISTERIAL-LEVEL AGENCIES, GOVERNMENT-ATTACHED AGENCIES AND LOCALITIES

Basing themselves on the Political Bureau's Resolution No. 54, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-attached agencies and localities should, right in 2006, concentrate their efforts on reviewing and adjusting plannings, concretizing them into plans, proposing mechanisms and policies and working out plans for the implementation thereof.

1. The Planning and Investment Ministry shall:

- Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with other concerned ministries, branches and localities in, studying and elaborating a master plan on socio-economic development of the Red River delta, a master plan on socio-economic development of Ha Noi area and plannings on the region's economic zones, industrial parks and export processing zones on the basis of integrating branch plannings with the master plan on socio-economic development up to 2020, clearly identifying specific steps till 2010.

- Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with concerned ministries, branches and localities in, formulating and submitting to the Government and the Prime Minister for consideration and promulgation particular mechanisms and policies as well as regional management plans for effective implementation of the set plannings and plans.

- Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with concerned ministries, branches and localities in, formulating a mechanism for coordination between the Red River delta and the northern key economic region with other regions throughout the country.

- Formulate mechanisms and policies for attraction of investment, especially foreign investment capital sources, ODA capital and investment capital for key works.

- Elaborate a scheme on reorganization and renewal of state enterprises.

- Work out plans on organization of investment promotion and draw up a list of projects calling for investment in the region and localities, including priority programs and projects with specific commitments, for attracting transnational conglomerates and encouraging investment in high technologies.

2. The Construction Ministry shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with other concerned ministries, branches and localities in:

- Expeditiously finalizing the planning on construction of Ha Noi capital region, and reviewing and adjusting the planning on the system of urban centers being sub-region centers as well as new urban centers toward modernity.

- Drawing up a plan on water supply and drainage systems (satisfying the water supply and drainage demand and putting a definite end to inundation in urban centers, especially Ha Noi and Hai Phong cities); a plan on cemeteries; a plan on the system of works for treating wastewater and assorted wastes (including also urban garbage, industrial and medical waste, solid waste and hazardous waste); studying and proposing the building of plants to treat hazardous waste for the whole region.

- Coordinating with the Transport Ministry in elaborating a scheme on development of the system of belt roads linking localities with Ha Noi.

3. The Industry Ministry shall:

- Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with other concerned ministries, branches and localities in, studying, reviewing, adjusting and supplementing the master plan on development of the region's industries (especially base industries and supporting industries) and key industrial products up to 2020.

- Elaborate a planning on development of the system of power generation establishments, power transmission grids, power distribution grids, and the development of new and renewable energy sources for the provinces and cities in the region.

- Plan the locations of oil refinery and petrochemical plants.

- Formulate mechanisms and policies for development of key products.

- Coordinate with the Science and Technology Ministry in studying the construction of industrial nurseries at national, regional and provincial levels.

4. The Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry shall:

- Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with other concerned ministries, branches and localities in, studying, reviewing, adjusting and supplementing the planning on agricultural development in the direction of combining commodity production with processing, especially the planning on hi-tech agricultural areas and concentrated specialized cultivation and husbandry areas for production of commodity farm produce suitable to the region's conditions and market demands.

- Review and adjust the planning on irrigation works, sea dikes and river dikes (including the plan on flood drainage for Ha Noi) and formulate projects eligible for priority investment for the implementation of the planning.

- Elaborate a planning on forestry development in combination with the increase of forest coverage, improvement of landscape and the environment, and development of coastal protective forests.

- Coordinate with the Construction Ministry in elaborating a planning on rural development in combination with the formation of medium- and small-sized urban centers (district towns and townships).

- Formulate a project on development of hi-tech agricultural areas for production of commodity agricultural and forest products for export, creation of jobs and generation of incomes for people whose agricultural land is recovered for industrial and urban development, and socio-economic infrastructure construction.

5. The Fisheries Ministry shall:

- Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with other concerned ministries, branches and localities in, studying, reviewing, adjusting and supplementing the planning on sea fishing and aquaculture combined with processing and development of fishery service provision as well as the system of storm shelters for fishing ships and fishermen. Draw up a list of projects eligible for priority investment for implementation of the planning.

- Elaborate a scheme on upgrading and modernization of aquatic product processing establishments in the direction of industrialization and modernization, ensuring food hygiene and safety and protecting the ecological environment for gradual regional and international integration.

- Elaborate a scheme on expansion and upgrading of fishery job-training schools.

- Elaborate a scheme on mechanisms and policies for development of concentrated aquaculture areas.

- Formulate policies for promotion of fishing, rearing and processing of aquatic products for export.

6. The Transport Ministry shall:

- Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with other concerned ministries, branches and localities in, studying, reviewing, updating and supplementing the planning on development of road, waterway, railway and airway transport networks in the region, with importance attached to the system of important inter-provincial and inter-regional roads.

- Plan and invest in the building of general depots and the system of roads linking general depots with ports and arterial traffic routes.

- Organize the implementation of the planning and projects on expressways and coastal roads, railway sections linking industrial centers and important traffic hubs, first of all investment in expressways from Ha Noi city to Hai Phong, Ninh Binh, Viet Tri and Hoa Lac.

- Continue with and complete the upgrading of national highways linking the Red River delta with the midland and mountainous areas and for the development of economic corridors with China.

- Elaborate a planning on the urban traffic system, especially the traffic system of Ha Noi city and the system of roads linking Ha Noi with its vicinities, the investment in the development of mass transit in big cities. Accelerate the construction of bridges spanning the Red River and commence as soon as possible the investment in the urban railway system in Ha Noi city.

- Finalize the planning on the system of seaports (including military ports). Elaborate a scheme on renovation and upgrading of river ports and transport routes in the region's main rivers. Invest in upgrading and expanding Hai Phong port and elaborate a scheme on building of a port at Lach Huyen estuary (if conditions permit).

- Complete the second terminal (T2) of Noi Bai international airport, upgrade Cat Bi international airport and study the building of a new airport in Van Don (Quang Ninh province).

- Formulate mechanisms and policies for investment in development of various transport modes and major traffic works.

7. The Post and Telematics Ministry shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with other concerned ministries, branches and localities in, studying, elaborating and submitting to the Government and the Prime Minister:

- A planning and plans on construction of modern telecommunications infrastructure combined with the application and development of information technology.

- Mechanisms and policies for development of telecommunications and information technology.

- It shall perform the state management of investment projects on development of the post and telecommunications system, ensuring uninterrupted inter-provincial transmission to centers of cities, provincial towns and townships, and satisfying the demand for information and communication with all communes in the region.

- It shall perform the state management of investment projects on development of information technology industry and application of information technology in all domains of socio-economic management and development, step by step building an information-based society in the region.

8. The Science and Technology Ministry shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with other concerned ministries, branches and localities in, studying and submitting to the Government and the Prime Minister:

- A planning on development of science and technology in direct service of production (science and technology for enterprises and production establishments), with special importance attached to the elaboration of a planning on building of scientific and technological infrastrutures in direct service of production. Key programs and projects and specific solutions should be clearly determined, and specific steps and tasks should be identified in order to help functional branches and concerned localities organize the implementation of the planning according to the set schedule for science and technology to quickly become a direct production force.

- Organizing the construction and early operation of provincial, regional and national technological zones (also referred to as industry-nuturing zones, technological nurseries, enterprise nurseries, hi-tech agricultural zones, hi-tech parks, etc.) which shall become the mainstay of the scientific and technological infrastructure system in direct service of production.

- Mechanisms and policies for promotion of scientific and technological development, including mechanisms and policies for promotion of development of technological zones and products, technological renewal and application of scientific and technological advances. Particularly, enterprises shall be encouraged to develop science and technology in direct service of production.

- Programs on training of highly skilled technical workers and the system of schools and centers for training of technological workers to satisfy the development requirements of industrial parks and technological zones in the region.

9. The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with other ministries, branches and localities in the region in, studying and submitting to the Government and the Prime Minister:

- The reviewed and adjusted land use planning of the whole region and each regional locality up to 2020; and integrated planning on use and protection of natural resources especially coal, limestone for cement and building material production.

- A project on renovation and protection of the urban and rural environment.

- Reviewed and supplemented land mechanisms and policies for the development of the real estate market.

- Finalized topographic maps of 1 / 2,000 scale for urban centers of the region.

- A plan on supply of storm forecast information in service of maritime activities and operation of fishing ships and boats.

10. The Trade Ministry shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with other concerned ministries, branches and localities in, studying and submitting to the Government and the Prime Minister:

- A planning on development of the region's commercial infrastructure (especially the system supplying market forecasts and commercial information; trade centers, trade fairs and exhibitions).

- A list of commercial infrastructure works eligible for the State's support capital, and investment support mechanisms and policies.

- The region's program of action for organization of trade promotion and brand development activities, formulated on the basis of the Regulation on formulation and implementation of the national program on trade promotion in the 2006-2010 period (promulgated together with the Prime Minister's Decision No. 279/2005/QD-TTg of November 3, 2005).

- Mechanisms and policies for product sale, export and import suitable to the context of international economic integration in each period.

11. The Foreign Affairs Ministry shall assume the prime responsibility for working out a plan on attraction of overseas Vietnamese to take part in the development of the region and a program on propagation of the policy on the region's development.

12. The Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs Ministry shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with other concerned ministries, branches and localities in, studying and submitting to the Government and the Prime Minister:

- The reviewed, supplemented and adjusted planning on the network of job-training establishments, especially centers for high-level job training for the whole region.

- Particular mechanisms and policies for the region to develop job training, job creation, poverty alleviation, drug addict detoxification and social welfare.

13. The Education and Training Ministry shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with other concerned ministries, branches and localities in, studying and submitting to the Government and the Prime Minister:

- The adjusted planning and a new planning on development of the network of universities, colleges and professional intermediate schools.

- A scheme on building a university in Ha Noi capital into a high-quality training center and open universities which shall provide correspondence training up to the standards of leading universities in the region (Southeastern Asia); a scheme on building specialized universities in neighboring provinces of Ha Noi city and other provinces in the Red River delta; a scheme on building a university town in Hung Yen; and specific mechanisms and policies for training of human resources, attraction and use of talents.

- A scheme on training and fostering of talents, and mechanisms and policies for assurance of education and training socialization.

14. The Health Ministry shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with other concerned ministries, branches and localities in, studying and submitting to the Government and the Prime Minister:

- A planning on development of the region's healthcare network, with efforts concentrated on the finalization of the scheme on building high-quality medical centers of international standards and specialized medical centers of regional standards in Ha Noi, Hai Phong and Nam Dinh, which can provide high-quality medical services to people and foreigners, combining the development of medical services with tourism for medical examination and treatment and convalescence purposes for international tourists. A plan on consolidation of the network of medical examination and treatment establishments and grassroots healthcare network in islands and difficulty-hit communes.

- Mechanisms and policies for intensification and acceleration of healthcare socialization.

15. The Culture and Information Ministry shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with other concerned ministries, branches and localities in:

- Elaborating and implementing a scheme on cultural and information development; studying and formulating a planning on grassroots culture and information institutions in provinces and cities and a planning on radio and television development in regional provinces and cities in line with the national radio and television planning.

- Elaborating a scheme on conservation and embellishment of relics, including the ancient citadel.

16. The Home Affairs Ministry shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the concerned localities in, working out a plan on strengthening of regional localities' organizational structures and personnel engaged in the planning work in the direction of well realizing the administrative reform scheme. It shall coordinate with the Planning and Investment Ministry in perfecting regional operation coordination mechanisms and models under the approved general planning.

17. The Justice Ministry shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with other concerned ministries, branches and localities in, reviewing the system of legal documents, and mechanisms for management of socio-economic development and defense and security maintenance.

18. The Defense Ministry shall:

- Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Public Security Ministry and the concerned localities in, elaborating a general planning on defense establishments (the system of defense industry establishments, ports, warehouses and storing yards, building of border-guard posts and border-patrol routes, etc.)

- Direct the provincial/municipal military commands in working out, reviewing, adjusting, supplementing and perfecting defense plans, then submitting them to competent authorities for approval.

- Elaborate a planning on the system of border-guard posts and stations in border areas and islands, and the construction of infrastructures in service of defense, security and socio-economic development in land border areas and island districts and communes having strategic positions up to 2010 and with orientations toward 2020, then submit it to the Government for approval.

19. The Public Security Ministry shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with other concerned ministries, branches and localities in elaborating schemes on:

- Assurance of national security and social order and safety in service of the region's socio-economic development.

- A management mechanism for improving the prevention and combat of crimes and social evils, especially drug addiction, prostitution, gambling, cross-border trafficking in women and children.

- It shall coordinate with the Transport Ministry and the National Committee for Traffic Safety in elaborating a scheme on assurance of traffic order and safety.

20. The Finance Ministry shall:

- Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the concerned ministries, branches and localities in, elaborating a scheme on particular financial mechanisms and policies, with attention paid to budgetary revenues and regulations, issuance of project bonds, setting up of a regional development fund, support funds for the development of social housing fund, especially the building of dwelling houses for poor people and industrial-park workers.

- Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the State Bank of Vietnam in, reviewing and supplementing credit mechanisms and policies in service of the development of small- and medium-sized enterprises on the principle that credits shall be provided together with training supports and business consultations, etc., through the system of banks and the credit guarantee funds for small- and medium-sized enterprises.

- Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs Ministry, the Industry Ministry, the Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry and the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry in, formulating policies for peasants to contribute capital to enterprises in industrial parks, export processing zones or economic zones with agricultural land areas upon the conversion of their use purpose.

21. The Population, Family and Children Committee shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the concerned ministries, branches and localities in, elaborating schemes on intensification of family planning, raising of population quality, protection, care and education of mothers and children.

22. The Nationality Committee shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the concerned ministries, branches and localities in, studying and elaborating a scheme on socio-economic development in ethnic minority areas; and formulating policies for socio-economic development in mountainous, border and island communes.

23. The Physical Training and Sports Committee shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the concerned ministries, branches and localities in, elaborating a scheme on development of physical training and sports; a planning on the system of physical training and sport facilities to satisfy the requirements of organization of national and international competitions.

24. The State Bank of Vietnam shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the concerned ministries, branches and localities in, studying, elaborating and submitting to the Government and the Prime Minister a scheme on development of the system of banks and credit institutions for the region to satisfy the requirements of international economic integration in each period.

25. The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the concerned ministries, branches and localities in, studying, reviewing, adjusting and supplementing the planning on tourist development and working out plans on investment up to 2010 for the system of high-quality tourist resorts and entertainment and recreation centers; elaborating a scheme on tourist promotion and advertisement. It shall propose a plan on training of human resources for the region's tourism.

26. The Vietnam Television Station shall assume the prime responsibility for organizing the expansion of television coverage to mountainous, border and island districts under its development planning up to 2010, which was approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 767/QD-TTg of August 8, 2005.

27. The Radio Voice of Vietnam shall assume the prime responsibility for organizing the expansion of radio coverage to mountainous, border and island districts under its development planning up to 2010, which was approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 287/QD-TTg of November 19, 2003.

28. Other ministries and branches shall, within the ambit of their respective functions, review and adjust their development plannings and relevant issues in the spirit of the Political Bureau's Resolution No. 54 on socio-economic development and defense and security maintenance in the Red River delta up to 2010 and orientations toward 2020, and the Prime Minister's Decision No. 145/2004/QD-TTg of August 13, 2004, on major orientations for socio-economic development in the northern key economic region up to 2010 and a vision toward 2020.

29. For localities

The People's Committees of the provinces and centrally-run cities in the region shall base themselves on the Political Bureau's Resolution No. 54 to coordinate with the concerned ministries and branches in:

- Reviewing the general plannings on socio-economic development, the planning on general economic zones, border economic zones, industrial parks, export processing zones, entertainment and recreation centers, the system of urban centers and population quarters in their localities up to 2010 and orientations toward 2020 in the spirit of the Political Bureau's Resolution No. 54.

- Working out specific investment plans up to 2010, clearly determining priority domains, solutions to mobilizing and using capital for each program or project.

- They shall coordinate with the Defense Ministry and the Planning and Investment Ministry in organizing the execution of investment projects on construction of infrastructures in coastal, island and border communes meeting with exceptional difficulties; and at the same time coordinate with the Public Security Ministry in executing the project on additional supply of equipment, means and resources to grassroots public security forces.

G. IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE

The ministries, branches and provinces and centrally-run cities in the region shall expeditiously organize the implementation of this Program in the spirit of the Political Bureau's Resolution No. 54 and perform, within the ambit of their state management functions, their assigned tasks according to the set schedule.

In 2006, they shall have to complete the following:

- A regional coordination mechanism.

- Financial, investment, water source use and protection and waste treatment mechanisms and policies.

- Branch and domain plannings, and plannings of provinces and centrally-run cities.

- A list of priority programs and projects calling for investment.

- A master plan on the region's socio-economic development.

- Organization of investment promotion.

Basing themselves on this implementation schedule, the ministries, branches and provinces and centrally-run cities in the region shall closely coordinate with one another through the Office of the Steering Committee for coordination of development of key economic regions (address: 65 Van Mieu street, Ha Noi) in actively organizing the performance and completion of the above-said tasks according to schedule, and reporting to the Prime Minister and the Office of the Steering Committee on an annual and biannual basis.

III. ORGANIZATION OF IMPLEMENTATION

1. Basing themselves on the Political Bureau's Resolution No. 54, the Government's Program of Action, and their assigned functions and tasks, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government-attached agencies and presidents of People's Committees of the provinces and centrally-run cities in the region shall direct the elaboration of programs of action in their respective ministries, branches or localities; execute schemes and projects, supplement and perfect mechanisms, policies and organizational structure according to the Government's assignment.

2. Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government-attached agencies and presidents of People's Committees of the provinces and centrally-run cities in the region shall concentrate on directing and intensifying the inspection and supervision of the performance of the tasks specified in the Program of Action, promptly propose solutions and policies suitable to the practical situation and report on performance results to the Prime Minister.

3. The Planning and Investment Ministry is assigned to assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Government Office and the Office of the Steering Committee for coordination of development of key economic regions in, urging and supervising the implementation of the Government's Program of Action for implementation of the Political Bureau's Resolution No. 54. The Planning and Investment Ministry shall sum up and report on implementation results of this Program of Action to the Prime Minister.