Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc anwers questions of deputies at the National Assembly’s Q&A session (Source: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc cleared up a range ofissues of public concern at the National Assembly (NA)’s Q&A session onNovember 18.
This was the second time the Government leader had taken the floor at the NAhearing.
Meeting the expectations of deputies and voters nationwide, the PM spent twoand a half hours answering questions frankly and honestly.
Opening the session, PM Phuc reported that the country’s socio-economicdevelopment in 2017 has seen positive achievements, fulfilling and surpassingall the 13 targets.
The Government has taken numerous measures to reform administrative procedures,he said, adding that 14 resolutions on this matter have been issued.
Regarding the reshuffle of the contingent of State officials and civil servantsunder the resolution of the Politburo, since 2015, 30,000 personnel have beencut down, the PM said.
He revealed the Government’s determination to reduce at least 2.5 percent ofpersonnel in the whole political system per year by 2021, towards a modern,transparent and effective administrative apparatus.
Responding to a question on measures to narrow the gap between the rich and thepoor, and between rural and urban areas, PM Phuc said the Government will stepup economic restructuring, increase productivity, quality and efficiency, aswell as provide training and jobs for people in remote areas.
Regarding the promotion of the role and contributions of the private economicsector, he stressed the need to improve the business climate towards opennessand transparency, ensure an equal access to resources, and simplify procedures.
“It is necessary to create a space for private businesses to develop and boostcooperation between Vietnamese and foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprises,”he said.
Affirming the role of FDI businesses in promoting the country’s economy byincreasing exports, generating jobs and transferring technologies andmanagement skills, the Government leader noted that the FDI sector is part ofthe Vietnamese economy.
However, he also pointed out several shortcomings of the sector such as mediumtechnology, transfer pricing, tax evasion and environmental violations.
“We must strictly punish any violations. We do not need investment at anycost,” he stressed.
About the growth quality of Vietnam, PM Phuc affirmed that the economic growthhas improved remarkably with a relatively high speed for a long time and a positivestructure of narrowed agriculture and increased industry.
The export turnover may reach 210 billion USD this year, an annual rise of 21percent compared to the set plan of 7 percent. The competitiveness indexclimbed five places while the locals’ life expectancy increased to 73.7 yearsfrom 72.9 years in 2010, making Vietnam a country with the highest lifeexpectancy in Asia, he added.
Clarifying the concept of the growth-enabling Government, the Cabinet leadersaid the task of this kind of government is to actively design policies andlaws serving the national development.
Heaffirmed the Government’s determination to create a favourable business climatethat will not only lead the ASEAN region but also be similar to those indeveloped countries.
“This is a government of action that heightens individual responsibility, setsup rules and immediately dismisses any officials who fail to meetrequirements,” he noted.
Regarding a question related to the hot issue of corruption, the PM assertedthere are no “prohibited zones” in dealing with corruption, adding that theexecutive and judicial systems will coordinate better with each other inhandling corruption cases and make public investigation results.
The Party and State always consider corruption prevention an important task andthe Politburo set up a Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption led by the PartyGeneral Secretary, he said.
The Government is collecting feedback to complete the revised Anti-CorruptionLaw, closely supervising the settlement of violations, and raising theawareness of officials and civil servants.
In addition, it will continue to perfect institutions, step up transparency,build the e-government and enhance power control in an effort to fightcorruption, he added.
During the session, the PM also fielded questions on enhancing the capacity ofcivil servants in handling administrative procedures, investment in culture,policies for ethnic minority people, equitisation of State-owned enterprisesand forest protection.-VNA
VNA
