NA Standing Committee comments on Government’s thrift practice, wastefulness control
Members of the National Assembly (NA)'s Standing Committee offered their opinions on a Government report on the implementation of thrift practice and wastefulness prevention in 2021.
The meeting of the NA Standing Committee on April 25 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Members of the National Assembly (NA)'s Standing Committee offered their opinions on a Government report on the implementation of thrift practice and wastefulness prevention in 2021.
Delivering the report on April 25, Minister of Finance Ho Duc Phoc said that last year, the Prime Minister and ministries, sectors and localities had applied comprehensive measures to facilitate resources for socio-economic development.
Despite difficulties, Vietnam recorded economic growth of 2.58 percent, while completing seven out of its 12 socio-economic targets, with State budget collection reaching 16.4 percent of the target, he said.
Particularly, the PM and the Government directed ministries, sectors and localities to take drastic efforts to cut at least 50 percent of spending on the organisation of conferences and working trips, along with a 10 percent cut to other expenditures. The Government proposed the use of over 14.6 trillion VND (635.2 million USD) saved thanks to these cuts in 2021 for COVID-19 prevention and control.
In 2021, the total saved by the State budget reached over 72 trillion VND, according to the report.
Regarding the management of public debts, last year, public debts accounted for 43.3 percent of GDP, while Government debts made up 39 percent of GDP and the country’s foreign debts about 21.7 percent of GDP.
The official said positive results were seen in the implementation of thrift practice and waste prevention as well as resolutions in the field.
He said that this year, the Government will prioritise resources for COVID-19 prevention and control in harmony with socio-economic development, while tightening financial-budget discipline to maximise income and minimise spending.
Delivering a verification report, Vice Chairwoman of the NA Finance-Budget Committee Pham Thuy Chinh pointed to a number of shortcomings in the Government’s performance in thrift practice and wastefulness prevention, including the slow issuance of an overall programme in the field.
NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue asked the Government to clarify its detailed limitations and shortcomings for discussion, especially those in public investment and national target programmes.
NA Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Hai underlined the need to specify measures to promote thrift practice and wastefulness prevention and control, focusing on adjustments to related laws and regulations.
The NA Standing Committee asked the Government to listen to these ideas as it completes its report./.
State budget collection was estimated to exceed 276.66 trillion VND (12.11 billion USD) in the first two months, up 7.7 percent from the same period last year, according to the General Department of Taxation.
The State budget revenue from export and import reached 107.3 trillion VND (nearly 4.7 billion USD) in the first quarter of 2022, up 22.44 percent year on year.
Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai has signed a decision approving the public debt strategy until 2030, which sets a target of keeping it at under 60 percent of the GDP and Government debts not exceeding 50 percent of the GDP in 2030.
Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai has approved the sovereign credit rating improvement project by 2030, part of an effort to make Vietnam a developing and upper-middle-income country with modern industry, heightening the country’s international reputation and reducing credit risks.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
The meeting of the NA Standing Committee on April 25 (Photo: VNA) 
