Minister of Finance Hồ Đức Phớc presents the Government's proposal seeking authorisation from the National Assembly to use VNĐ18.22 trillion (US$715.6 million) sourced from the increased sum of the 2023 central budget collection for 14 public investment projects. — VNA/VNS Photo An Đăng

HÀ NỘI — The Government has proposed the National Assembly (NA) allow the use of VNĐ18.22 trillion (US$715.6 million) sourced from the increased sum of the 2023 central budget collection for 14 public investment projects.

As part of its ongoing seventh session, the parliament on June 27 deliberated the use of the general reserve of the central budget-funded medium-term public investment plan 2021-25 for public investment projects. The reserve under discussion is equivalent to the increased revenue of the 2023 central budget collection.

Delivering a report on the reserve use, Minister of Finance Hồ Đức Phớc said a total of VNĐ26.9 trillion sourced from the increase of the 2023 central budget collection is set to be allocated to 20 projects in four areas, namely national defence (VNĐ2 trillion), security (VNĐ4 trillion), transport (VNĐ19.38 trillion), and judicial reform (VNĐ1.52 trillion).

As much as VNĐ18.22 trillion falls within the NA’s jurisdiction and will be provided for 14 public investment projects, he went on.

Therefore, the Government proposed the NA give the green light to the use of that VNĐ18.22 trillion.

Reading the verification report, Chairman of the NA’s Committee for Financial and Budgetary Affairs Lê Quang Mạnh said the Government’s proposal accords with regulations in the Law on Public Investment and the NA’s Resolution No. 29/2021/QH15.

He noted a majority of the committee members held that the parliament should permit the completion of investment procedures and the making of investment policies for the projects on the basis of the increased sum of the 2023 central budget collection, the capital sources for 2026-30, and other sources to ensure funding.

They also asked the Government to hold responsibility for project effectiveness and capital sources to guarantee sufficient funds. However, not all deputies agreed with the Government’s proposed allocation of capital for the projects, according to Mạnh. — VNS