Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc emphasised the settlement of institutional and legal bottlenecks as the main task for the new Government at the Cabinet’s regular meeting in Hà Nội yesterday. – VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI – Completing the building of effective institutions was the first issue under discussion at the Cabinet’s regular meeting in Hà Nội yesterday. 

In his introductory remarks, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc emphasised the settlement of institutional and legal bottlenecks as the main task for the new Government. 

The leader blamed red tape in administrative procedures as one of the root causes of the country’s sluggishness in growth, and admitted the failure to create optimal conditions for development. 

He stressed the need for Cabinet members to focus on institution building to seek solutions to existing problems, especially during the effectuation of the Law on Enterprises and the Investment Law, while they are mulling over draft laws and ordinances. 

Minister and head of the Government Office Mai Tiến Dũng reported that by May 31, the Government had issued only 14 documents guiding the implementation of laws, well shy of the target of 51. Additionally, 91 circulars and 13 joint circulars have yet to be issued as scheduled. 

Out of 49 decrees needed for the amended Law on Enterprises and the Investment Law, only 35 were submitted to the Government, he said. 

Prime Minister Phúc requested ministries which have been behind in submitting documents to account for their delay. 

Without the decrees, it would be hard to bring laws into life, especially in the context that a string of laws will take effect from July 1, the Government leader noted. 

Heads of ministries and agencies must take responsibility for the slow completion of legal documents, he said, affirming the Government’s resolve to finish the work before July 1.

The Prime Minister underscored the need to ensure the quality and quantity of legal documents, and assigned the Minister of Justice, and the Minister and head of the Government Office to run an inter-sectional working session on this matter. 

He also asked ministries to realise Resolution 19 on investment climate improvement and Resolution 35 on business development, to simplify business and investment requirements and scrap licences that are no longer reasonable. 

The Cabinet’s May meeting takes place on June 1-2. VNS