Stronger efforts required to tackle cumbersome procedures
Ministries and sectors have to make drastic moves to streamline administrative procedures and apply information technology to help Vietnam’s business climate indexes reach or surpass ASEAN-6 averages.
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (centre) speaks at the meeting (Photo: VNA)
Ministries and sectors have to make drastic moves to streamline administrative procedures and apply information technology to help Vietnam’s business climate indexes reach or surpass ASEAN national averages of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc made the request at a meeting of the Government’s Steering Committee for Administrative Reform in Hanoi on August 5.
Participants reviewed that in the first half of 2015, the Government, ministries and sectors simplified 4,431 of the 4,723 administrative procedures, accounting for 93.8 percent.
While stepping up the implementation of the ASEAN single-window mechanism, the Ministry of Finance also coordinated with the Ministry of Transport to officially carry out the national single-window mechanism at five international seaports in Hai Phong city, Quang Ninh province, Da Nang city, Ho Chi Minh City and Ba Ria – Vung Tau province.
The national mechanism was also deployed in about 50 percent of district-level localities nationwide. Information technology was widely applied in handling procedures and the Ministry of Industry and Trade piloted the online granting of certificates of origin.
The General Department of Vietnam Customs also expanded the application of the national mechanism. As a result, the time it took businesses to pay taxes in the first six months was cut by over 50 hours from 167 hours down to below 117 hours per year, surpassing the Government target of 121.5 hours.
At the meeting, the Steering Committee pointed out that some agencies lack appropriate interest levels in administrative reform. Meanwhile, many officials and civil servants are scared of being held accountable, undermining their creativity and initiative.
Deputy PM Phuc, who is also Head of the committee, ordered ministries, sectors and localities to raise the sense of responsibility of the heads of all-level State administrative agencies for administrative reform, enhance inspections and strictly deal with officials and civil servants who create obstacles for citizens and businesses while performing duties.
Administrative procedures must be standardised and popularised while procedure handling outcomes need to be published online, he added.-VNA
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung requested the General Department of Taxation slash the tax payment time to 171 hours in 2015 at any cost while chairing a meeting in Hanoi on March 31.
Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Economic Committee Nguyen Van Giau said the country has made a step forward in completing institutions for the market economy with the promulgation of a series of laws including the Law on Land Use, Law on Business, Law on Real Estate Trading and Law on Construction.
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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
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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.
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The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
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General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the VPA’s General Staff and Deputy Minister of National Defence reaffirmed Vietnam’s unwavering gratitude for Cuba’s invaluable support during its struggle for independence and nation-building efforts, and pledged to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Cuba as it navigates current challenges.
Vietnam is a country with which Russia shares a special relationship. In the 1950s and 60s, particularly during Vietnam’s struggle for independence, the two countries forged a deep bond. While much has changed over time, the friendship and cooperation between our nations have endured, said Russian President Vladimir Putin.
For 50 years, Vietnam and New Zealand have worked together to uphold peace and prosperity for their peoples and the region. The friendship, cooperation, and mutual understanding Vietnam and New Zealand nurtured have grown from a seed into a deeply rooted, strong, and thriving tree, she stressed.
Since the Strategic Partnership was established in 2020, Vietnam and New Zealand have witnessed steady growth in the relations. Beyond the remarkable 40% increase in bilateral trade over five years, political relations and multilateral interactions, particularly within the CPTPP framework, have remained highly positive.
Known as the “four pillars for Vietnam’s ascend”, the Pobiburo's Resolutions 57, 59, 66, and 68 focus on cultivating a robust national entrepreneurial spirit, unlocking resources for innovation across society, and accelerating the development of digital economy, knowledge-based economy, green economy, and circular economy, propelling Vietnam forward rapidly and firmly on the path of modernisation and international integration.
Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang cleared up deputies' concern regarding how to spur socio-economic growth, renew traditional growth motives and establish new momentum for development.
Vietnam proposed several priorities: narrowing the digital divide, strengthening women’s leadership in the digital economy and AI governance, and mobilising sustainable financing for gender equality initiatives in line with each country’s national priorities and context. Vietnam also advocated for genuine women’s participation and leadership across all areas of public life.
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (centre) speaks at the meeting (Photo: VNA)
