Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chairs a two-day government-to-locality teleconference, which opened in Hanoi on December 30, to review Vietnam’s socio-economic development in 2019 and map out plans for 2020.
Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong (fourth from right), Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (third from right), and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (fourth from left) at the conference (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chairs a two-day government-to-localityteleconference, which opened in Hanoi on December 30, to review Vietnam’s socio-economic development in 2019and map out plans for 2020.
The event alsosaw the presence of Party GeneralSecretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong and Chairwoman of the NationalAssembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.
In his openingremarks, PM Phuc said this year is the second year in a row that Vietnam has accomplished all 12 majorgoals for socio-economic development and even surpassed five of the goals.
He askedministries and localities to discuss action plans for 2020 which should focuson how to achiever higher targets next year, further removebarriers to improve business climate, identify new growth engine for 2020 andthe following years and what needs to be done to effectively foster decentralizationand local self-governance.
Delegates are scheduled to discuss 2019 socio-economic growth report, theimplementation of the Government’s Resolutions No.1/NQ-CP and No.2/NQ-CP, areview report on the government’s leadership and management, and draftresolutions on major tasks and solutions for socio-economic development and State budgetestimate for 2020 and on improving business environment and nationalcompetitiveness next year.
Deputy PMTruong Hoa Binh said this year’s GDP growth was at 7.02 percent, among thefastest in the region and the world and exceeding the target of 6.6 – 6.8 percent set by the NA.
Inflation was wellcontained – at 2.79 percent – a three-year low. Foreign reserve hit about 79billion USD and the total State budget collection exceeded 1,400 trillion VND (60.7 billion USD) with overspending estimated at about 3.44 percent of the GDP.Public debt declined to 56.1 percent of GDP.
The country’stotal social development investment made up 33.9 percent of the GDP with the non-State sector’s investment expanding to 46 percent.
Despite theglobal economic downturn, the country enjoyed a record high of 517 billion USDin foreign trade, with exports growing by 8.1 percent, and gained a tradesurplus of over 9.9 billion USD for the fourth year in a row./.
The labour, invalids and social sector made significant contributions to the socio-economic development of the country in 2019, said National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hailed comprehensive progress in the information and communications sector this year during its conference in Hanoi on December 28.
One of the fastest economic growth rates in the region, the signing of free trade and investment protection deals with the EU, and the Politburo’s first-ever resolution on foreign investment attraction were among the top 10 economic events of Vietnam in 2019.
Below is a recap of ten of the year’s most consequential headlines impacting consumers, investors and financial markets worldwide chosen by the Vietnam News Agency.
Vietnam is deeply concerned about the escalating and complex conflict in the Middle East, which poses a serious threat to the lives and safety of civilians, as well as to regional and global peace and stability.
The Vietnamese Embassy advises the Vietnamese community living, studying, and working in Israel to strictly comply with directions from the Home Front Command and local authorities.
Lawmakers are set to vote on revisions and amendments to a broad spectrum of legal frameworks and impactful resolutions during the final week of the 15th NA's 9th session.
The State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs (SCOVA) has served as a bridge connecting and uniting the community with the homeland, becoming a trusted source of support for Vietnamese expats in times of hardship.
The programme to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses has achieved notable results, with nearly 263,000 housing units addressed to date, including 225,000 houses inaugurated and 38,000 under construction. Thirty-eight provinces and cities across the nation have already fulfilled their targets.
Stronger efforts and determination are required to achieve and surpass the set targets, especially in the eradication of makeshift and dilapidated houses nationwide, the acceleration of public investment disbursement, and the implementation of nationally important transport projects, PM Pham Minh Chinh noted.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
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.
Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong (fourth from right), Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (third from right), and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (fourth from left) at the conference (Photo: VNA) 
