Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam expects to fulfill all socio-economic developmenttargets in 2019, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc told the National Assembly inHanoi on October 21.

In presenting a report on socio-economic situation in 2019 and socio-economicdevelopment plan for 2020 at the eighth session of the 14th-tenure NationalAssembly, the PM said 2019 is expected to be the second consecutive year whenthe country achieves all 12 major objectives, with five surpassed.
 
He said the economic growth is forecast to be higher than the target, whilemacro-economic stability is maintained and inflation kept under control, andmajor economic balances are strengthened.

The national gross domestic product (GDP) is projected to expand by 6.8 percentthis year, one of the highest growth rates in the region and the world, the PMsaid, stressing that the results are attributable to great endeavours of administrationsat all levels, all sectors and the entire nation amidst challenges toagriculture and difficulties faced by export activities.

Over the past time, Vietnam has maintained the macro-economy firmly in the faceof uncertainties of the global financial and monetary markets, with theconsumer price index (CPI) growing less than 3 percent, lower than the settarget, PM Phuc said.

The building of new-style rural areas has reaped outstanding achievements, hereported, adding that by the end of this year, about 53-54 percent of communesand 110 districts are set to win the status, meeting the target set for 2020 nearlytwo years ahead of schedule.

The Government leader also highlighted outcomes in other areas like Partybuilding and rectification, political system consolidation and the combatagainst corruption and wastefulness.

Mentioning recent complex developments in the East Sea, including seriousinfringements upon Vietnam’s waters, PM Phuc affirmed that the Party and State haveresolutely and persistently struggled against the violations by many measuresin line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention onthe Law of the Sea, while maintaining a peaceful environment, friendship andcooperation with other countries.

However, apart from these above-said achievements, there still remain weaknessesand challenges that need great efforts to be addressed in the time ahead, hepointed out.

Regarding the socio-economic development plan for 2020, PM Phuc said the year2020 is of significance as it marks the 90th founding anniversary ofthe Communist Party of Vietnam, the 75th National Day and the 130th birthday of late President Ho Chi Minh. All-level Party congresses will also beheld in the year, towards the 13th National Party Congress.

He listed the overall goals for 2020, which are stabilizing the macro-economy;controlling inflation; improving productivity, quality, efficiency andcompetitiveness of the national economy, accelerating reform and perfection of institutions,creating a favourable, open business environment, stepping up economicrestructuring in combination with growth model reform, speeding up theimplementation of major national projects, promoting the role of key economiczones and major urban areas, developing high-quality human resources, andspurring economic growth rapidly and sustainably.

Vietnam will try its best to well perform its roles as ASEAN Chair in 2020 and anon-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 term, whilefirmly protecting national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity anda peaceful and stable environment for development, and improving the country’sprestige and position in the international area, PM Phuc said.

He presented some major targets set for next year, including a GDP growth rateat about 6.8 percent, poverty reduction of 1-1.5 percent and health coverage of90.7 percent, among others.

In an assessment report, head of the NA’s Economic Committee Vu Hong Thanhsuggested increasing the rate of trained labourers to serve the target ofhigh-quality human resources development.

Besides, the committee recommended paying more attention to the progress andquality of drafting laws, law enforcement, effective streamlining of administrativeprocedures, the transparent and strict handling of violations in performingpublic duties, environmental protection and the fight against diseases andcrimes./.