Assembly closes on high note

People in Dong Tam Commune in southeastern Binh Phuoc Province's Dong Phu District use their new water supply. The new Law on Water Resources requires the State to adopt and invest in scientific research and development in water resources management. — VNA/VNS Photo Pham Do

HA NOI — The National Assembly concluded its month-long third session yesterday after lawmakers discussed and passed 13 laws and a number of resolutions.

Addressing the closing ceremony, NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung affirmed the session had been a success.

"The National Assembly requests the Government and all sectors to continue implementing necessary measures and mobilising all resources to fulfil socio-economic tasks for the year 2012 and the targets set by National Assembly resolutions," he said.

He stressed the need to carry out economic restructuring and complete mechanisms on capital and asset management among State groups and corporations.

The Government and relevant agencies should pay attention to helping businesses access credit capital and develop new markets, Hung said, adding that they needed to have roadmaps on fighting monopoly in the electricity and coal sectors, solve problems in land management and prevent wasteful land use.

The Chairman asked relevant sectors and agencies to ensure implementation of NA resolutions and report session outcomes to voters nationwide to gain feedback.

The National Assembly yesterday adopted a new Law on Advertising, a Law on the Sea and an amended Law on Water Resources and two new resolutions making a final settlement of the State budget for 2010 and to enhance the effectiveness of law and policy on public investment in agriculture and rural development.

Under the new Law on Advertising, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has been assigned to take State oversight role over commercial advertising.

Among products prohibited to advertise are dairy products for children under 12 months old and dietary supplements for children under six months old.

Advertising of alcoholic beverages above 15 proof was also prohibited.

The new Law on Water Resources is intended to encourage water conservation and would require that the State adopt and invest in scientific research and development in water resources management, protection and development.

Under the resolution on final settlement of the State budget for 2010, also passed by deputies yesterday, public spending in 2010 totalled neary VND851 trillion (US$41.5 billion). The year saw a budget deficit of over VND109 trillion ($5.3 billion) – equivalent to 5.5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP).

The resolution to enhance the effectiveness of laws and policies on public investment in agriculture and rural development calls for a doubling in public spending over the next five years, with a focus on key regions, poor districts and provinces, agricultural products with competitive advantages, and the national food security programme.

All of the measures passed yesterday morning with over 95 per cent of deputies voting in favour. Later in the morning, deputies passed an amended Marine Law with 99.2 per cent in favour.

Deputies yesterday afternoon endorsed several resolutions, including one on decreasing enterprise income tax by 30 per cent in 2012, and another on no-confidence motions.

At a press conference yesterday, Nguyen Hanh Phuc, head of the NA Office, noted that it had already passed a resolution on interpellation to be used as a foundation to monitor the implementation of ministerial promises delivered during the session.

The resolution requested ministers to report on their progress in dealing with voter concerns, according to Phuc. — VNS