Hanoi (VNA) – “Although there remain manydifficulties and challenges, the outcomes obtained last year were encouraging,giving favourable conditions for the country to enter a new stage ofdevelopment with new opportunities,” Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Tronghas said.

He made the remarks during an interview withVietnam News Agency (VNA) on the threshold of the Lunar New Year.

The domestic and global situation also posednumerous difficulties and challenges in 2016, he said, noting natural disasterssuch as floods, drought and saltwater intrusion along with serious marinepollution in four central provinces, which heavily affected nationalsocio-economic development and people’s lives.

Facing those facts, thanks to consensus,solidarity and resolve of the entire Party, people and army, Vietnamsuccessfully held many important events, particularly the 12th National PartyCongress and the election of deputies to the 14th National Assembly andall-level People’s Committees for 2016-2021.

The State apparatus was consolidated, ensuringstability for the implementation of set targets and tasks, he said, adding thatunder the leadership of the Party Central Committee and the Politburo, thewhole political system became involved in the work and made improvements tomany social aspects.

The content and spirit of the Resolution of the12th National Party Congress was institutionalised through resolutions,directives and action plans. The National Assembly, Government, sectors andauthorities at all levels have been working hard to improve, the Party leadersaid.

As a result, Vietnam posted a good GDP growthrate (6.21 percent), successfully kept the macro-economy stable, controlledinflation, basically ensured big economic balances, and recorded the fastestrise in foreign reserves.

He noted that the private economic sectorthrived, foreign direct investment surged and total development investmentcapital surpassed set targets. The tourism sector welcomed a record 10 millionforeigners and 62 million domestic visitors in 2016.

The General Secretary told VNA that strides weremade in cultural and social aspects with a declining household poverty rate andan improvement in people’s material and spiritual life. The country paid heedto lawmaking and administrative reforms while strengthening defence-securityand safeguarding national sovereignty.

External activities and internationalintegration have been conducted in a comprehensive manner, intensifyingVietnam’s foreign relations and lifting its stature in the region and theworld. That has also helped to maintain peace, stability and favourableconditions for national development and protection, he noted.

He underlined enhanced Party consolidation andthe fight against corruption and wastefulness. A number of serious corruptionand economic-rule-violating cases were brought to trial. Irregularitiesrelating to personnel appointments were uncovered and many senior officialswere punished, moves which received strong public support.

General Secretary Trong stressed that growthmodel reforms aim to raise growth quality and ensure rapid and sustainabledevelopment in all economic, social and environmental spheres. Vietnam has topromote growth but not at all costs or by exchanging the environment foreconomic projects.

He described the marine pollution in fourcentral provinces, caused by Hung Nghiep Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Co. Ltd, as an“expensive lesson” which reminded Vietnam that it must carefully selectinvestment projects and prioritise ones that use high technology and ensureenvironmental safety.

Aside from fueling economic growth, it is alsonecessary to enhance living standards, promote social equality and ensure allpeople benefit from growth. Raising growth quality improves people’s livingconditions, he added.

The investment and business environment shouldcontinuously be improved, in each locality, to facilitate start-ups, hestressed, pointing to the must to bolster regional connectivity to fully tapthe respective locality’s potential and advantages in service of regional andnational fast and sustainable development.

In terms of Party reinforcement, the Party chief consideredit a difficult and complex task that is vital. Party building must be conductedin tandem with fostering economic growth, he said.

The leader called on the entire Party, peopleand army to augment solidarity and join efforts to bring into play theirpatriotism and Vietnam’s steadfastness, intelligence and traditions to realisethe Resolution of the 12th National Party Congress, build an incorruptible andstrong Party while promoting the country’s prosperity and people’shappiness.-VNA