Resolution No. 13/NQ-CP dated February 08, 2018 of the Government on the Government’s regular meeting - January 2018

THE GOVERNMENT

Resolution No. 13/NQ-CP dated February 08, 2018 of the Government on the Government’s regular meeting - January 2018

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated June 19, 2015;

Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 138/2016/ND-CP dated October 01, 2016 promulgating the working regulation of the Government;

Based on the discussion of the Cabinet members and the conclusion of the Prime Minister at the Government’s January meeting,held on February 02, 2018

DECIDES

1. Regarding the draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Education

The Ministry of Education and Training shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Justice, the Government Office and concerned ministries and agencies in collecting comments of the Government members and feedbacks of the Government Office to revise and finalize the draft Law and report to the Prime Minister before submitting it to the National Assembly.

2. Regarding the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Higher Education

The Ministry of Education and Training shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, the Government Office and concerned ministries and agencies in collecting comments of the Government members, the delegates at the meeting, and feedbacks of the Government Office, then revise and finalize the draft Law and report to the Prime Minister before submitting it to the National Assembly.

3. Regarding the Government s proposal for the law and ordinance making program in 2019, and revised law and ordinance making program in 2018

The Government approved the proposed law and ordinance making program in 2019 and the revised law and ordinance making program in 2018.

The Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall quickly collect comments of the Ministry of Justice and the Evaluation Council, finalize the list of proposals so that the Government could consider and approve before February 15, 2018.

The Ministry of Justice shall coordinate with concerned ministries and agencies in, collecting comments of the Cabinet members, finalizing the Government s proposal on the law and ordinance making program in 2019 and the revised law and ordinance making program in 2018, and report to the Prime Minister before submitting them to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

4. Regarding the proposal for revision of Labor Code

The Government agreed to approve the proposal for revision of the Labor Code.

The Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs shall assume the prime responsibility for and coordinate with the Ministry of Justice, the Government Office and concerned ministries and agencies in collecting comments of the Government members and evaluation feedbacks of the Ministry of Justice and the Government Office, thereby, finalizing the related dossiers for the development of the draft Law as stipulated by law.

5. Regarding the proposal for the development of a draft Law on Reserve Forces

The Government agreed to approve the proposal for the development of the draft Law on Reserve Forces.

The Ministry of National Defence shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Justice, the Government Office and other concerned ministries and agencies in, collecting comments of the Cabinet members, and fulfilling the related dossiers for the development of the draft Law as stipulated by law.

6. Regarding the proposal for the development of a draft Law amending and supplementing a number of regulations on planning

The Government agreed to approve the proposal for the development of the draft Law amending and supplementing a number of regulations on planning.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall assume the prime responsibility for developing the draft Law and submit it to the Government for consideration at the Government’s regular meeting in March 2018, and submit it to the 14^thNational Assembly for consideration and approval at its 5^thworking session.

7. Regarding the promulgation of a Decree on non-compulsory social insurance of occupational accidents for non-contractual employees

The Government agreed with the proposal of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs to suspend the promulgation of the Decree on non-compulsory social insurance of occupational accidents for non-contractual employees.

The Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with concerned ministries and agencies in, continuing the study and finalization of the draft Decree, ensuring its feasibility, and present it to the Government at a suitable time.

8. Regarding the draft Resolution on the establishment of the Committee for State Capital Management at Enterprises

The Government approved the draft Resolution on the establishment of the Committee for State Capital Management at Enterprises at the proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The Ministry of Home Affairs was assigned to assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Government Office and other concerned ministries and agencies in, collecting comments of the Government members, finalizing the draft Resolution and submit it to the Prime Minister for signing.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment was assigned to expeditiously complete the draft Decree on the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of the Committee for State Capital Management at Enterprises, and submit it to the Government in the first quarter of 2018.

9. Regarding the implementation of the autonomy mechanism for science and technology organizations for which the autonomy mechanism has not yet been approved under Decree No. 54/2016/ND-CP

The Government agreed with the proposal of the Ministry of Science and Technology to allow public science and technology organizations, for which the autonomy mechanism has not yet been approved, to continue implementing the mechanism stipulated in Decree No. 115/2005/ND-CP dated September 05, 2005 of the Government stipulating the mechanism of autonomy and self-responsibility for public science and technology organizations and Decree No. 96/2010/ND-CP dated September 20, 2010 of the Government amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Government s Decree No. 115/2005/ND-CP dated September 05, 2005, till the end of December 31, 2018.

The Ministry of Science and Technology was assigned to coordinate with ministries, sectors and localities in guiding public scientific and technological organizations to formulate autonomy plans according to Decree No. 54/2016/ND-CP dated June 14, 2016 of the Government promulgating the autonomy mechanism of public science and technology organizations to ensure
synchronous approval and implementation from January 01, 2019.

10. Regarding the socio-economic situation in January 2018, the implementation of Resolution No. 01/NQ-CP on major tasks and solutions guiding the implementation of the socio-economic development plan and State budget plan in 2018.

The Government unanimously agreed that: Following the success of 2017, the socio-economic situation in January 2018 continued to record positive improvements. Macroeconomic stability was maintained. Inflation was kept under control. Money and foreign exchange markets were stable. Lending interest rates tended to decrease. Industrial production continued to improve.
Industrial production index moved up by 20.9% over the same period last year, especially that of manufacturing and processing industry increased by 23.8%. The service sector grew quite well. Total international arrivals increased by 42%. Disbursement of foreign investment was relatively good. Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) rose to 53.4 points, the highest in ASEAN, reflecting consumers’ and social confidence. In particular, export turnover reached US$19 billion, up 33.1% year on year, of which exports of domestic economic sector increased at a rate approximately equal to that of the foreign-invested sector. The number of newly established enterprises, the number of enterprises returning to operation, and registered capital increased over the same period. Social welfare policies, policies for people with meritorious services and social beneficiaries were actively implemented, especially for people in disadvantaged areas and areas affected by natural disasters. National defense and security were maintained. Social order and safety were guaranteed. Foreign affairs achieved many positive results. Especially, the extraordinary sports performance of the U23 Vietnam football team contributed to arising national pride, patriotic spirit, uniting the people, creating a new atmosphere in the whole society, and affirming the position of Vietnam in the continent and the world.

Besides the above-mentioned achievements, the country’s economy still faced a number of difficulties and challenges. Consumer price index rose sharply over the previous month. Although Purchasing Managers Index improved, the proportion of Vietnamese goods consumed was lower than that of imports. Unpredictable cold and unfavorable weather conditions adversely affected agricultural production and the life of the people, especially people in remote and ethnic minority areas. Traffic order and safety situation, fire and explosion remained complicated. At the same time, some ministries, sectors and localities were slow to promulgate action programs to implement the Government s Resolution No. 01/NQ-CP.

The Government required ministries, agencies and localities not to be subjective, neglected, and/or satisfied with the results achieved. Instead, it is required to regularly monitor to have a precise overview of the situation in order to take timely responses amid the ever-changing world. Adhere to the Government s guiding principle throughout 2018 of "Discipline - Integrity – Action - Creativity - Effectiveness". Continue serious implementation of the Resolution No. 01/NQ-CP dated January 01, 2018, quicken the promulgation of action programs, specific guiding documents, and at the same time promote acceleration and inspection activities to overcome stagnation in the performance of tasks. Stay innovative, creative, and determined in action, creating strong and synchronous changes in all fields. And, focus on the following contents:

- Expeditiously clarify tasks to realize the socio-economic development and budget plan and the Public investment plan in 2018 and speed up disbursement at the beginning of the year.

- Each ministry, sector and locality shall develop quarterly growth scenarios for 2018 in which solutions and tasks should be specified and quantified, then report to the Prime Minister in February 2018. At the same time, the quarterly growth scenarios of the respective ministries, sectors and localities shall be sent to the Ministry of Planning and Investment for synthesis and report to the Prime Minister before March 15, 2018.

- The Government shall continue to consider institutional building, administrative reforms and improvement of the business environment as the top priorities in 2018 and the following years. Ministries, agencies and localities shall regularly review, amend, supplement or review regulations that are no longer appropriate, obstructing development, especially regulations related to investment, business, land, environment, planning, special administrative-economic units, to create a business investment environment that is healthy and conducive to production and business.

- The Government shall continue to identify 2018 to be the year of business cost reduction. In the first Quarter of 2018, operating interest rates in line with macroeconomic conditions, inflation and monetary market, creating favorable conditions for credit institutions to continue reducing their lending rates; reduction of fees, especially freight, logistics fees. The Ministry of Transport shall expeditiously settle BOT projects, propose appropriate charge levels to ensure harmony between interests of the State, enterprises and the people; coordinate with functional forces to resolutely handle seriously those who incite protests against the Party s or State s policies.

- The Ministry of Finance shall coordinate with other ministries, agencies and localities to closely monitor market price fluctuations, ensure adequate supply of goods, especially essential goods in areas affected by natural disasters, remote and isolated areas. In the short term, increase in tax, prices, fees for essential goods and services managed by the State shall be suspended. The
specialized price-management ministries shall closely monitor market price movements and have a coordinating mechanism to ensure the balance of supply and demand of essential commodities, guide localities to register, have a roadmap on price adjustment of some essential services in order to stabilize market prices and control inflation. The State Bank of Vietnam shall have synchronous solutions to stabilize the exchange rate, foreign exchange market and strictly control electronic money transactions. The Ministry of Finance shall closely direct the State Securities Commission to ensure the good performance of the national stock market and reduce the negative impacts of the world and regional securities markets.

- Ministries and agencies shall coordinate with the Government Office in proposing the organization of a number of national thematic conferences to discuss solutions to key issues in the context of the country’s international integration and development, such as labor productivity, the 4^thIndustrial Revolution (Industry 4.0), shared economy, tourism economy, private economic development, etc. At the same time, to synthesize and evaluate the implementation results of mechanisms, policies and solutions already proposed from previous conferences to create substantial changes in the implementation of mechanisms and policies in practice, then report to the Prime Minister in the first quarter of 2018.

- Leaders of ministries, sectors, and localities shall continue to direct the implementation of the Directive of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee (CPVCC) and the Prime Minister s Directive on the preparation of conditions for the people to welcome the Lunar New Year, in which attention should be paid to directing the implementation of policies to
ensure social security and welfare, caring for the material and spiritual life of policy beneficiaries, the poor and those in particularly difficult circumstances, workers in industrial zones and export processing zones and people in deep-lying, remote and special difficulty areas, in border areas, on offshore islands and in areas affected by natural calamities and storms, etc. to let people have the opportunity to celebrate the Lunar New Year cozily and merrily, prevent
occurrence of hunger and inability to afford Lunar New Year. To intensify epidemic prevention and control, and coordinate closely to control food safety and ensure the health of the people.

Organize watch shifts during the Tet holiday for a timely report of the situation and necessary solutions against urgent issues, ensure the smooth and uninterrupted operation of activities, not to affect the life and business and production activities of the people and enterprises. Public officials, civil servants and public employees must strictly adhere to the administrative and labor discipline and order, urgently focus on solving and handling their work right after the Tet holiday. Not to organize any wasteful pilgrimage and celebration, which could negatively affect their work.

- The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall coordinate with localities in intensifying the management and organization of festivals to preserve and promote the national cultural identity; inspect, detect and strictly handle negative acts at festivals and tourist spots, not to trigger public outrage and ensure safety for tourists during the Lunar New Year.

- The Ministry of Public Security shall intensify their work to have a better grasp of the situation, ensure political security and actively fight against all plots and activities of hostile forces and against crimes, not to be passive and unprepared. To coordinate in ensuring traffic order and safety. To intensify fire and explosion prevention and firefighting. To curb serious traffic accidents and traffic jams. To prevent the occurrence of illegal racing, stockpiling, buying, and use of all kinds of firecrackers during the Lunar New Year 2018.

- The Ministry of National Defence shall direct forces to grasp the situation, to intensify the control and take initiative in implementing plans on the protection of sovereignty, ensuring the security of border, sea and islands.

- The Ministry of Information and Communications shall direct news agencies, the press, grassroots information systems to promote information and communication on the results of socio-economic development, to ignite trust among the people, investors, creating enthusiasm and excitement, motivate the spirit and generate motivation for competition in production and business right from the beginning of the year, especially right after the Tet holiday, to encourage determination to work together to achieve the tasks on socio-economic development in 2018. At the same time, to have solutions to prevent bad news on the social network, strictly handle objects spreading bad news, distorting the truth, affecting the prestige of the Party and the State.

- Ministries and ministerial-level agencies shall base on the Planning on Press, which had already been concluded by the Politburo, to reorganize their respective news agencies, ensuring that each Ministry or ministerial-level agency has only one news agency (there may be more than one publication). At the same time, there are plans to receive reports of enterprises and associations under their State management in order to well manage and at the same time create conditions for the newspapers to develop according to the principles and objectives.

- Ministries, sectors and localities shall closely coordinate with the Vietnam Fatherland Front and mass organizations in performing their tasks in order to bring into full play the strength of the great national unity bloc and mobilize the entire population, unions and associations to strive to successfully fulfill the socio-economic development and budget tasks in 2018.

11. Regarding the development of the Project on a shared economy model

The Government unanimously agreed to develop a Project on the shared economy model.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment was assigned to develop the Project, ensuring its scientification, feasibility, and proper orientation, and report to the Government at its regular meeting in June 2018.

Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue was assigned to direct the development of the Project.

12. Regarding the pilot manpower export to the Republic of Korea for a definite term under the cooperation agreements between localities of Vietnam and the Republic of Korea

The Government unanimously agreed with the proposal of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs to allow the pilot manpower export to the Republic of Korea under cooperation agreements between localities of the two countries for a definite term of 02 years from January 01, 2018.

The Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs shall assume the prime responsibility for guiding localities to sign, deploy and ensure the lawful rights and interests of laborers while the ministry is responsible for considering and proposing legal grounds and creating favorable conditions for laborers to work abroad for a definite time.

13. Regarding the evaluation of the performance of managers and the evaluation and classification of persons holding management titles and positions at the Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (SBIC)

Due to objective conditions in the restructuring process, the Government unanimously agreed with the proposal of the Ministry of Transport to temporarily allow to exclude the business classification norm when carrying out performance evaluation for managers and classification of persons holding management titles and positions at the parent company - SBIC.

14. Regarding extension of the deadline for dissolution of Tanh Linh Forest One-Member Limited Liability Company

The Government unanimously agreed to extend the deadline for dissolution of the Company by June 30, 2018 to resolve remaining land and financial issues to ensure the interests of the State and employees, and prevent the rise of any related complaints and denunciations.

The Provincial People s Committee of Binh Thuan was requested to direct the dissolution in accordance with laws and regulations and the above-mentioned time limit.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development was assigned to guide, urge and inspect the process.

15. Regarding a number of problems in the application of regulations on sea dumping and allocation of sea areas for sea dumping

The Government unanimously agreed with the proposal of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to allocate sea areas for sea dumping of dredging waste in the absence of a sea planning mentioned in Report No. 114/TTr-BTNMT of December 20, 2017.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall be responsible for guiding provincial-level People s Committees to resolve the allocation of sea areas for sea dumping to organizations and individuals; and coordinate with the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Finance in identifying temporary resolution plans for allocation of sea areas used for defense and security
purposes, ensuring strict management and control.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment was requested to expeditiously complete the development of a national sea planning scheme in accordance with the Law on Planning and submit it to the Government; coordinate with concerned ministries, sectors and provincial-level People s Committees in reviewing and proposing amendments and supplements to laws and regulations on sea dumping and allocation of sea areas in 2018, ensure comprehensiveness, consistency, and alignment with practicality.

16. Regarding the assignment of State management tasks over clean water in Hanoi to the Hanoi Department of Construction

The Government unanimously agreed to allow the Municipal People s Committee of Hanoi to assign the city’s Department of Construction as the pilot agency to assist the People s Committee in carrying out the state management over clean water in the city.

The Ministry of Home Affairs was assigned to conduct a comprehensive review and propose a coherent assignment of tasks by specialized agencies under provincial- and district-level People s Committees in the process of amending Decree No. 24/2014/ND-CP, Decree No. 37/2014/ND-CP and specialized decrees, ensuring that it conforms to principles of uniformity and non-duplication.

17. Regarding the proposal on the competence of the Prime Minister to consider and decide on the signing of documents and agreements on cooperation in the name of the Government.

Since the Law on International Agreements had not been promulgated, the Government agreed with the proposal of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs on the assignment of the Prime Minister for consideration and decision on:

- In the name of the Government, signing documents and agreements on cooperation, which are not international treaties. The Prime Minister shall propose the State President to sign documents or agreements, which are not international treaties, on behalf of the State;

- Promulgating Decisions on the order and procedures for the signing and implementation of international agreements, which are not international treaties, in the name of the State or Government.

18. Regarding a number of investment mechanisms and policies for the construction of some sections of the North-South Expressway

The Government unanimously agreed to promulgate a resolution on the construction of some eastern sections of the North-South Expressway.

The Ministry of Transport was assigned to assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Government Office in, collecting written comments of concerned ministries and agencies, finalizing the draft Resolution, and reporting to Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung and Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue for review before submitting it to the Prime Minister in February 2018./.

For the Government

The Prime Minister

Nguyen Xuan Phuc