Chairwoman of the National Assembly (NA), Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân speaks at a conference held by the SAV in Hà Nội yesterday to consider its tasks in 2018.— VNA/VNS Photo Trọng Đức

HÀ NỘI — Chairwoman of the National Assembly (NA), Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân, has highlighted the need to promote the independence of the State Audit Office of Việt Nam (SAV) and its auditors, aiming to ensure the transparency of its operations

The top legislator made the statement at a conference held by the SAV in Hà Nội yesterday to consider its tasks in 2018.

Addressing the event, Ngân spoke highly of the significant results obtained by the SAV, which she said, had contributed actively to prevention of corruption and wastefulness.

The audit office focused on evaluating macro-economic issues and auditing pressing issues of concern to the people,  patching legal loopholes and better serving the administration and management of public finance and public assets, she stated.

The leader asked the SAV to closely follow the Law on State Audit in its operations, promptly make a comprehensive assessment of the Law on State Audit in order to propose necessary adjustments and supplements, and finalise documents guiding the implementation of the Law on State Audit.

She also instructed the sector to improve the capacity, knowledge and skills of auditors and fight against those who violate regulations or commit wrongdoing.

The SAV should also increase international co-operation to access modern audit contents, methods and techniques.

State Auditor General Hồ Đức Phớc said the sector would spare no efforts to fulfil its tasks.

NA Chairwoman Ngân presented the Independence Order, third class, to former State Auditor General Nguyễn Hữu Vạn and the Labour Order, second class, to State Auditor General Phớc.

In 2017, through auditing, the SAV detected and proposed financial corrections worth VNĐ43.6 trillion (US$1.92 billion).

Through its audit activities, it also recommended the adjustment, supplementation, replacement and withdrawal of 96 legal documents to prevent losses and waste.

Under the Law on State Audit, the SAV is a specialised agency for examining State finance established by the NA. It performs its duties independently and is subject only to laws. Its functions extend to auditing financial statements, auditing compliance with laws, and auditing the performance of every institution that manages and uses State assets. — VNS