THE GOVERNMENT
Resolution No. 138/NQ-CP dated December 31, 2017 of the Government on the meeting between the Government and provinces and the Government’s regular meeting - December 2017
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 delegates attending the meeting, the Cabinet members and the conclusion of the Prime Minister at the Government’s meeting with provinces and the Government’s regular meeting,held on December 28 and 29, 2017
RESOLVES
1. Regarding the socio-economic situation in 2017, the implementation of the Government’s Resolution No. 01/NQ-CP dated January 1, 2017 on major tasks and solutions guiding implementation of the socio-economic development and State budget plan in 2017.
The Government unanimously agreed that: Under the leadership of the Party, the supervision of the National Assembly, with the determination and efforts of all sectors, levels, the business community and the people, the socio-economic situation in 2017 witnessed positive changes and achieved important and comprehensive results in all fields. For the first time in many years, all 13 out of the 13 targets set by the National Assembly were achieved and outperformed, contributing to strengthening the trust and creating an energetic atmosphere in the whole society. These achievements were highly appreciated by the international community. GDP growth reached 6.81%, the highest rate since 2007. Macroeconomic stability was maintained. Inflation was kept under control. In principle, the major balances of the economy were guaranteed. Credit growth was about 19%. Exchange rates, the foreign exchange market, the value of the Vietnamese dong were relatively stable. State foreign exchange reserves reached the all-time high of USD 52 billion. International credit rating agencies raised Vietnam s ratings on banking activities from stable to positive. State budget revenue increased significantly. Overspending and public debt were maintained within the limits approved by the National Assembly. The stock market observed many developments, reaching over 950 points, the highest level since 2008. Despite negative impacts by natural calamities, storms and floods, the agricultural sector observed steady recovery, reaching 2.9% growth, more than twice as fast as the growth rate of 2016. The industry and construction sector also grew 8%. The services sector grew by 7.44%. International tourists to Vietnam reached 12.9 million, increasing by 29.1%. The economic structure witnessed positive shifts towards strengthening linkages, promoting effectiveness, potential and advantages of each region. Exports touched USD 213.8 billion. Total import-export turnover reached nearly USD 425 billion, the highest level ever. Export surplus reached USD 2.7 billion. The total newly registered and increased capital of foreign direct investment (FDI) was nearly USD 30 billion, up 44.2% year-on-year. Disbursed capital reached USD 17.5 billion, up 10.8% year-on-year. Enterprise development achieved many positive results with 126.7 thousand newly established enterprises with the total newly registered and increased capital of VND 3.16 trillion. International ratings on competitiveness, business environment, innovation, sustainable development improved sharply, reaching the highest level ever. The fields of education, culture, society, information and communication were attentively transformed, which contributed to creating social consensus. Social security and welfare policies were well implemented, especially policies for people with meritorious services to the Revolution, the poor. Many activities of gratitude were organized on the occasion of the 70thanniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day. Disaster preparedness and response succeeded in mobilizing the active participation of both the political system, the business community and the people. Anti-corruption, thrift practice and anti-waste were promoted. Defense and security were maintained. Social order and safety were guaranteed. Foreign affairs and international integration continued to be promoted proactively and effectively, achieving many important results. Vietnam successfully hosted the APEC Year 2017, especially the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, practically contributing to socio-economic development, creating positive imprints and raising the position and role of Vietnam in the international arena.
Besides the above-mentioned results, our country s economy still had to face with many difficulties and challenges. Economic restructuring and transforming the growth model and the quality of growth remained slow. Labor productivity and competitiveness were not satisfactory. Room for fiscal and monetary policies was limited amid huge demand for resources for investment development, social security, national defense and security. Production and business efficiency of many State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) remained low. Administrative procedures in some areas remained cumbersome. Urban management and development were still limited and inadequate. Environmental pollution recovery remained slow. The life of ethnic minority people in deep-lying, remote and disadvantaged areas was still difficult. There were complicating developments in security and order in some areas. Degradation in morality and lifestyles were also an issue highly concerned by society. The management of information network security remained insufficient. Natural disasters, epidemics, climate change and world situation witnessed unpredictable developments.
Recognizing 2018 as the hinge year for the implementation of the Resolution of the 12thNational Party Congress and the National Assembly s Resolution on the five-year Socioeconomic Development Plan 2016-2020, the Government agreed on the theme of 2018 - "Discipline, integrity, action, creativity, and efficiency". The Government requested ministries, agencies and localities to continue to take advantage of their achievements in the past, avoid subjectivism, and promptly overcome limitations and weaknesses, take advantage of opportunities, overcome difficulties, challenges; continue solidarity, strong innovation, dynamism, determination to build the administration system of effectiveness, efficiency, cleanness, and integrity; double effort to drastically and fruitfully implement resolutions of the Party, the National Assembly, and the Government right from the beginning of the year, strive to successfully achieve the objectives and tasks of socio-economic development and the State budget plan for 2018 and for the five-year period from 2016-2020.
Ministries, agencies and localities shall have to focus on well preparing the conditions for the people to celebrate the Lunar New Year in 2018, prevent the occurrence of hunger among the people, especially in areas affected by natural disasters, areas of difficult socio-economic conditions, and minority areas. Strictly implement the Directive No. 16-CT/TW dated December 22, 2017 of the Secretariat on the organization of the Lunar New Year 2018, Directive No. 48/CT-TTg dated December 27, 2017 of the Prime Minister on strengthening management and administration to stabilize market prices and ensure social order and safety on the occasion of the Lunar New Year 2018, the Official Letter No. 1882/CĐ-TTg dated 08/12/2017 on ensuring traffic order and safety during the Lunar New Year 2018, and Spring Festival 2018.
Ministries and ministerial-level agencies shall, according to their respective functions and powers, be assigned to take initiative in settling petitions of their respective localities. For cases falling beyond their competence, ministries and ministerial-level agencies shall report to the Prime Minister for consideration. The Government Office shall synthesize, monitor, urge and inspect the settlement of petitions of localities.
2. Regarding the Government s Resolution on a number of major tasks and solutions guiding the implementation of the socio-economic development and the State budget plan for 2018
The Government unanimously agreed to promulgate the Resolution on a number of major tasks and solutions to implement the socio-economic development and the State budget plan in 2018 with 09 categories of solutions and 242 specific tasks. Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies and People s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities shall expeditiously promulgate specific programs and action plans and directives, clearly defining specific tasks to be implemented, timeline of each task, with clear assignment of responsibilities; organize the drastic and synchronous implementation and conduct regular inspection and accelerate the implementation progress, organize monthly/quarterly performance reviews.
Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies and Governmental bodies and the Chairmen of the local People s Committees shall bring into full play their individual role and responsibility, monitor the actual situation, actively exercise management according to their authority, promptly have plans and solutions suitable to arising problems to create robust changes in each sector and each area in 2018.
The Government proposed that the National Assembly, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, People s Councils at all levels, mass organizations and the people supervise the implementation.
3. Regarding the review of the performance of the Government and the Prime Minister in 2017
The year 2017 was featured with both numerous advantages and difficulties/challenges. Specifically, the world and regional situation witnessed many complicated and unpredictable developments, such as natural disasters, storms and floods causing severe damage. Under the motto of building an enabling Government of integrity and action in service of the people and enterprises, the Government has strengthened public trust and consensus and created new motivation for national economic development.
In performing duties, the Government and the Prime Minister brought into full play their collective strength in association with promoting the significance of individual responsibility, solidarity, unanimity, unity and determination to renovate leadership and management in association with intensifying administrative discipline and order. The Government and the Prime Minister successfully led the State administrative apparatus in a smooth and uniform manner, closely coordinated with the Party s and National Assembly s agencies, judicial agencies, the Vietnam Fatherland Front and mass organizations in performing their tasks, strived to achieve goals and targets, timely solved problems arising, and actively implemented the medium and long-term goals, achieved comprehensive results and created important imprints in many fields.
The Government Office was assigned to collect comments from the delegates to the meeting, finalize and promulgate a report on performance review of the Government and the Prime Minister in 2017.
4. Regarding the implementation of the Government s Resolution No. 19-2017/NQ-CP dated February 06, 2017
The Government required ministries and sectors, especially localities, to continue to focus on improving business environment indicators, especially the low-ranking ones; accelerate labor productivity and competitiveness of each sector, each domain, and area under their management scope; be determined to make Vietnam one of the 4thmost competitive economies in ASEAN.
The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Government Office, the General Secretary of the National Council for Sustainable Development and Competitiveness Improvement and the concerned ministries and agencies in elaborating a draft Resolution on continuing implementation of the tasks and solutions to improve the business environment and raise the national competitiveness in 2018 and submit it to the Government for consideration and promulgation in January 2018.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade shall promptly submit to the Prime Minister to promulgate the Decision amending and supplementing the Prime Minister s Decision No. 35/2015/QD-TTg dated August 20, 2015 promulgating the list of essential commodities and services for which contract forms and general transaction terms must be registered so as to remove a number of banking services from the list, including: inland debit cards, open and use payment account service applicable to individual customers, and personal loans for consumption purposes.
5. Regarding the implementation of the Government s Resolution No. 35 / NQ-CP dated May 16, 2016
The Government requested ministries, agencies and localities, according to their respective functions and tasks, to continue improving the mechanisms and policies on investment and support to small- and medium-sized enterprises and cooperatives, individual business households. To focus on the comprehensive reform of specialized inspection activities. To cut and simplify by 50% of the list of goods, products and specialized inspection procedures, cut and simplify by 50% of business investment conditions according to their competence or propose to competent authorities according to their competence as stipulated by law. To regularly organize policy dialogues with enterprises, and promptly handle the feedback and proposals of enterprises.
The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Steering Committee for Enterprise Renewal and Development and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry in, reviewing the implementation of Resolution No. 35/NQ-CP. To report and propose to the Government and the Prime Minister solutions to improve the effectiveness of the implementation of the Resolution.
6. Regarding the review and removal of problems and limitations of the current regulations on investment and business environment and social welfare policies
Ministries and ministerial-level agencies shall review, draw up a plan and identify clearly the timeline for amendments to and promulgation of legal documents under their authority, especially the legal documents enlisted in the law and ordinance building programs for 2018 and 2019, and the program to develop documents detailing the implementation of laws and ordinances in 2018 in order promptly remove any problems and limitations in the existing legal regulations related to land, construction, housing, investment, business, and social security policies. To strengthen administrative discipline and order in legal institutional development and law enforcement organization, preventing withdrawal, deferral, and delays in the development of draft legal documents as programmed.
Localities shall renovate the dialogue, reception and handling of feedback and proposals of individuals, organizations and enterprises on problems and limitations in the implementation of mechanisms, policies and laws. To send their feedbacks and proposals to ministries and specialized management agencies for handling according to their competence and concurrently to the Ministry of Justice for synthesis.
7. Regarding the implementation of the Prime Minister s Directive No. 16/CT-TTg on strengthening the capacity to access the 4thIndustrial Revolution
The Government requested ministries and sectors to urgently issue action plans to implement Directive No. 16/CT-TTg by 2020 and orientations to 2025; review the key strategies and tasks under their management scope so as to adjust them in line with the development trend of the 4thindustrial revolution; identify technologies that need to be prioritized for development in the medium and long-term; select and propose a number of key products with competitive advantages in the sectors and domains under their management.
- The Ministry of Science and Technology shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Information and Communications and the concerned ministries, agencies, enterprises and international partners in developing a report on the current status and impact scenarios of the 4thIndustrial Revolution for Vietnam. On that basis, the Ministry shall develop a draft Resolution on enhancing capacity to access the 4th Industrial Revolution and submit it to the Government for approval in 2018.
- The Ministry of Science and Technology shall report to the Prime Minister on the development, approval and implementation of the national key program on the 4thIndustrial Revolution.
- The Ministry of Education and Training shall assume the prime responsibility for and coordinate with the concerned ministries and agencies in studying and formulating policies to promote training and development of human resources on the main technologies of the 4thIndustrial Revolution, as well as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) training in school education.
- The State Bank of Vietnam shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Industry and Trade in, studying and adding enterprises that invest in technology innovation, research for the development, transfer, and application of transferred technology in the fields of information technology and the technologies of the 4thIndustrial Revolutionto the group of high technology enterprises, which is one of the five priority fields for preferential credit, and report to the Prime Minister.
- The Ministry of Information and Communications shall direct news and press agencies to promote communication and information about successful models in research, application and development of the 4thIndustrial Revolution products and services.
8. Regarding the reform of administrative procedures
The Government required state administrative agencies to effectively implement the one-stop-shop and the Inter-agency one-stop-shop mechanisms in performing administrative procedures. To cut down on unnecessary meetings, administrative paperwork and reporting. To continue reviewing, cutting down and simplifying administrative procedures related to specialized inspection and business conditions, and reducing the cost for enterprises. To review and handle feedbacks and proposals of the people and enterprises via the Vietnam Government Portal, rectify the acts of harassment, neglecting and ignorance of cadres and civil servants in performing public duties.
The Advisory Council for Administrative Procedure Reform of the Prime Minister shall continue to organize policy dialogues between state management agencies and enterprises and to study and propose to the Prime Minister solutions to problems related to mechanisms, policies and administrative procedures in an effective and practical manner.
9. Regarding e-Government development
The Government requested ministries, agencies and localities to continue fulfilling timely their assigned tasks in Resolution 36a/NQ-CP dated October 14, 2015; focus on building and improving mechanisms and policies for the application of information technology, information network safety and e-Government development according to their competence or report to competent authorities for promulgation; build and perfect the e-Government architecture of ministries, sectors and localities in a uniform and consistent manner with the e-Government architecture framework of Vietnam. To strive to achieve the goal of 100% of the units under ministries and provincial people s committees processing their work in a network environment by the end of 2018; focus on effectively deploying the electronic one-stop-shop information system at ministries, sectors and localities. At the same time, to study international experiences in the building, operation and exploitation of information systems and national databases to support the direction and administration of the Government and the Prime Minister.
- The Ministry of Information and Communications shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with ministries, sectors and localities in, reviewing and advising the Prime Minister in directing the unified development of national databases, connecting to the National Public Service Portal, data sharing between ministries, sectors and localities. To ensure the safety of the information network, the link between ensuring information security and the development of e-Government at all levels. The Ministry of Information and Communications shall provide specific direction on the dissemination of outcomes of socio-economic development, national defense, security and foreign affairs in 2017. The Ministry shall take resolute measures to handle cases reporting negative, false, fabricated, slandered, and defamed news in various forms on social networks.
- The Ministry of Public Security shall focus on developing the national population database that could be shared to perform administrative procedures in 2018.
- The Government Office shall expeditiously complete and put into operation the National Public Service Portal in 2018.
- The Ministry of Information and Communications and the Ministry of Education and Training shall focus on implementing measures to raise rankings of Vietnam’s e-Government development indicators like online public services, telecommunication infrastructure and human resources. To timely provide accurate relevant information to the United Nations evaluation agencies to support the update on the development and deployment of e-Government in Vietnamese Government agencies.
10. Regarding the performance of tasks assigned by the Government and the Prime Minister, and inspection results of the Prime Minister’s Working Group
The inspection of the Working Group under the direction of the Prime Minister became one of the highlights reflecting the spirit of the Government, "to walk the talk", creating momentum in the performance of public duties. Clear improvements have been made in tightening discipline and order. Many obstacles in the fulfillment of tasks were timely removed. The number of overdue tasks reduced remarkably, contributing to accelerate the effective implementation of the key tasks of 2017.
The Government required ministries, agencies and localities to continue to strengthen administrative discipline and order, proactively and drastically implement the tasks assigned by the Government and the Prime Minister, with special regard for the responsibility of heads of organizations and the performance of their tasks.
The Working Group shall continue to monitor and urge ministries, agencies and localities in carrying out the tasks assigned by the Government and the Prime Minister, the Party and the National Assembly in order to promptly put guidelines and policies into practice. In 2018, the Working Group shall focus on inspecting institutional building, realization of the targets on socio-economic development and state budget plan, improvement of the investment environment, economic restructuring and regional integration, development and implementation of projects on the establishment of special administrative-economic units, facilitation of business activities as well as other key tasks. After each examination, proposals for commendation ministries, agencies and localities for the good performance of assignments or critiques, reviews ministries, agencies and localities have not yet been seriously implemented.
11. Regarding the reports on inspection and settlement of complaints and denunciations, corruption prevention in 2017, and the public administration reform in 2017
The Government Inspectorate and the Ministry of Home Affairs shall collect comments of the Cabinet members and delegates to the meeting, finalize and issue these reports so that ministries, sectors and localities can organize the implementation thereof.
12. Regarding the implementation of the Government s law and ordinance making program and the progress of promulgating documents detailing the implementation of laws and ordinances in 2017, and tasks in 2018
Due to heavy task on legal development in 2018, the Government required ministers and heads of ministerial-level agencies shall stay focused on and improve the quality of this task in an innovative manner; assigning specific responsibilities, regularly checking and urging; to concentrate resources on this work, especially the review, evaluation, research and drafting of laws; to draw up appropriate plans and roadmaps, ensure the quality and progress of submitting to the Government, and limit the maximum application for adjustment of tempo. To take initiative in and closely coordinate with relevant agencies and agencies of the National Assembly throughout the process of studying, drafting, especially the process of receiving, adjusting and finalizing laws and ordinances. Seriously adhere to the views of the Government when discussing and revising bills at National Assembly agencies; to promptly report to the Prime Minister on major changes in the revision of viewpoints and policy orientations already approved by the Government. In the drafting process, it is necessary to consider and restrict the incorporation of too specific provisions in laws and ordinances while proactively develop relevant Decrees on the detailed implementation of laws and ordinances.
Regarding the tentative law and ordinance making program in 2019 and the revised program in 2018, ministries and ministerial-level agencies shall base on the Report No. 374/BC-BTP dated December 26, 2017 of the Ministry of Justice and proactively review the resolutions and guidelines of the Party Central Committee, the National Assembly and the Government, to determine which laws to be amended, supplemented first and specific timeline for amending each law project; to propose the formulation of draft Laws and submit them to the Government for approval and urgently complete the proposal according to the provisions of the Law on Promulgation of Legal Documents and send them to the Ministry of Justice before January 20, 2018 and submit to the Government for consideration and approval at the regular meeting of January 2018.
13. Regarding the proposal to develop draft laws amending and supplementing the laws relating to land, construction, housing, environment, business investment, specialized inspection and planning
The Government approved policies in the proposal to develop draft laws, including Law amending and supplementing some articles of the Law on Land, Law amending and supplementing some articles of the Law on Environmental Protection, Law on amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Minerals, the Law on Water Resources, the Law on Meteorology and Hydrology, the Law on Biodiversity and the Law on Natural Resources and the Environment of the Sea and Islands, the Law amending and supplementing some articles of the Law on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, the Law on Dykes, the Law on Irrigation, the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Land Road Traffic, the Law on Inland Waterway Navigation, the Maritime Code and the Law on Railways.
Leading ministries and agencies shall collect the Cabinet members’ comments and evaluation opinions of the Government Office, evaluation opinions of the Ministry of Justice, complete dossiers of the draft laws and send them to the Ministry of Justice to develop the law and ordinance making program in 2019 and revise the program in 2018.
On the proposal to build 09 draft Laws with simple and technical contents related to the Law on Planning, the proposal to amend and supplement a number of articles of the Law on Public Investment, the proposal to amend and supplement the Law on Tax Administration, leading Ministries and agencies shall promptly finalize the proposals and coordinate with the Government Office in collecting comments of the Government members, send them to the Ministry of Justice to synthesize and develop the law and ordinance making program in 2019 and adjust the program in 2018 for submission to the Government.
14. Regarding the draft Law on Vietnam Coast Guard
The Ministry of Defence shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Justice, the Government Office and concerned ministries and agencies in collecting the Cabinet members’ comments and the Government Office s verification opinions, and finalizing the draft Law. This shall be reported to the Prime Minister before being submitted to the National Assembly.
15. Regarding the proposal for revision of the Law on Civil Self-Defense and Militia Forces
The Government approved policies in the Proposal for revision of the Law on Civil Self Defense and Militia Forces. The Ministry of Defence shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with concerned ministries and agencies in, collecting comments of the Government Office s examination and finalization of dossiers and send them to the Ministry of Justice for synthesis. Meanwhile, the Ministry shall continue reviewing and improving policies in the course of law drafting and submit them to the Government according to regulations.
16. Regarding the proposal to revise the Law on People s Public Security Forces
The Government approved policies in the Proposal for revision of the Law on People s Public Security Forces. The Ministry of Public Security shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with concerned ministries and agencies in, collecting the verification opinions of the Government Office, complete the dossiers and send them to the Ministry of Justice for synthesis. Meanwhile, the Ministry shall continue reviewing and improving policies in the course of law drafting and submit them to the Government according to regulations.
17. Regarding revision of the 2015 Law on Promulgation of Legal Documents
The Ministry of Justice shall elaborate a proposal to amend and supplement the Law on the Promulgation of Legal Documents in 2015 and submit it to the Government for consideration, approval and supplement to the Government s Law and Ordinance Making Program in 2019, and to submit to the National Assembly Standing Committee.
18. Regarding the implementation of the economic restructuring plan for 2016-2020
The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with concerned ministries and agencies in, collecting comments of the Cabinet members, finalizing the report on the implementation of the economic restructuring plan for 2016-2020, which clearly identifies shortcomings, limitations, subjective and objective causes of these shortcomings and limitations in order to work out appropriate solutions to accelerate the economic restructuring and transformation of growth model in the 2018 – 2020 period.
The National Steering Committee on economic restructuring and growth model transformation shall rapidly consolidate the organization, finalize the working regulations to ensure its efficient operation, speed up monitoring and inspection of the organization of implementation at ministries, sectors, and localities, upscale good models and good practices. To periodically assess the implementation according to the working regulations of the Steering Committee.
19. Regarding the draft Decree on the management of multi-level business activities
The Government agreed with the proposal of the Ministry of Industry and Trade to amend and supplement a number of provisions to the draft Decree on the management of multi-level business activities. The Government Office shall coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade to complete the draft Decree and submit it to the Prime Minister for signing./.
For the Government
The Prime Minister
Nguyen Xuan Phuc
Vietnamese
Resolution 138/NQ-CP DOC (Word)
Resolution 138/NQ-CP PDF (Original)
