Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and his economic advisory team discussed measures to tackle shortcomings and realise the 7-per cent growth target set for 2019 at a session in Hà Nội on Saturday.— VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and his economic advisory team discussed measures to tackle shortcomings and realise the 7-per cent growth target set for 2019 at a session in Hà Nội on Saturday.

According to the team, the potential of the Vietnamese economy remains extensive, with new opportunities emerging. With suitable solutions to optimise opportunities and better tap potential, growth momentum can be sustained over the next two years.

They presented three growth scenarios, which project average annual growth rates for 2018-20, at 6.86 per cent, 6.91 per cent, and 7.06 per cent, respectively. 

The advisors said in 2019, the economy could grow 6.9-7 per cent, with inflation kept under 4 per cent. Towards those goals, they said the processing-manufacturing and services sectors must achieve higher growth than in 2018 and must be considered the two main drivers of the economy. More drastic measures are also needed to promote the development of the private sector.

They calculated that private investment must account for 15 per cent of GDP in order to achieve the 2019 growth target, adding that the sector boasts untapped potential and the Government should focus more on fostering its development.

The team recommended that the Government give priority to the implementation of policies and measures designed to address four main bottlenecks – which are the implementation of big-scale projects, breakthrough of the private sector, investment in agriculture, and mobilisation of social resources.

Pressure should be put on ministries, sectors and localities in the implementation of the tasks they have been assigned, they said, adding that a set of standards to assess their performances should be built and regularly monitored by a Government working group.

Looking at significant changes ahead, the experts said it is possible to achieve both high growth and macro-economic stability.

Taking into account the recommendations, PM Phúc agreed with their proposal on the application of 5G technology and assigned the Ministry of Information and Communications to work on the task.

He asked the advisory team to work with Singapore in building an innovation centre following the Singaporean model.

The PM directed the Ministry of Planning and Investment to select suitable recommendations to be included in drafts of the Government’s Resolution No 1 on management measures for 2019 and Resolution No 2 on competiveness improvement.

The Government leader lauded the team’s collaboration with relevant agencies to research an economic growth model for 2021-30. He asked the experts to give feedback on the draft strategy on socio-economic development for the 2021-30 period and the socio-economic development plan for the 2021-25 period.

He requested the advisors to gather more scientists and economic experts to make recommendations to the Government and himself during the preparation of documents for the Party’s 13th Congress. 

Underscoring his willingness to listen to advice, the PM suggested that the group continue monitoring the Government’s policies and collaborating with ministers, sectors and businesses for prompt proposals. — VNS