Decision No. 538/QD-TTg dated June 16, 2005 of the Prime Minister establishing the Vietnam-US-high-level advisory council for raising Vietnam's competitiveness

DECISION

ESTABLISHING THE VIETNAM-US-HIGH-LEVEL ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR RAISING VIETNAMS COMPETITIVENESS

THE PRIME MINISTER

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

At the proposal of the Ministry of Planning and Investment (Official Letter No 3872/BKH-DTNN of June 10,2005),

DECIDES:

Article 1:

To establish the Vietnam-US-High-Level Advisory Council for Raising Vietnams Competitiveness.

The Council is composed of members stated in the enclosed list. In the course of implementation the Councils composition shall be supplemented or adjusted to suit the practical situation and operation objectives.

Article 2:

The Councils major operation objectives are to make objective and independent assessments and proposals in order to advise the Prime Minister and governmental agencies on raising the competitiveness of the Vietnamese economy in general and of economic branches and domains in particular.

The Councils major activities are:

1. To study and propose measures to develop the economy and competitiveness of Vietnam.

2. To act as a main body in synthesizing, and creating conditions for the Vietnamese and US enterprises to give, comments on formulating policies to improve Vietnams business environment, in order to raise the competitiveness of the Vietnamese economy and enterprises.

3. To study and propose new cooperation mechanisms with a view to promoting the economic-trade and investment cooperative relations between Vietnam and the US and between enterprises of the two countries.

4. To study and propose issues on enhancing competition and promoting the bilateral economic relations between Vietnam and the US, especially stepping up the attraction of US companies investment in Vietnam.

Article 3:

The Working Regulation and annual plan of the Advisory Council shall be defined at the general meeting of the Advisory Council.

The Advisory Council shall organize biannual meetings, alternately in the US and Vietnam.

In cases of necessity, the Council may also invite experts, researchers, enterprises or concerned Government officials to attend the meetings.

Article 4:

The Secretariat shall be its assisting and major body in carrying out activities of the Advisory Council.

A leader of the Ministry of Planning and Investment shall be the head of the Secretariat.

The head of the Secretariat shall issue a decision on the setting up and membership of the Secretariat.

Article 5:

The Ministry of Finance shall allocate funds for regular activities of the Advisory Council and the Secretariat.

Article 6:

Under the authorization of the Prime Minister:

- The Minister of Planning and Investment shall have to sign letter to invite members of the Vietnamese side.

- The Vietnamese ambassador in the US shall have to sign letters to invite members of the US side.

Article 7:

This Decision takes effect after its signing.

Article 8:

The Minister of Planning and Investment; Foreign Affairs; Finance; Industry; Agriculture and Rural Development; Post and Telematics; and Transport, the State Bank of Vietnam, and the chairperson of Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry shall have to implement this Decision.