A medicine production line at the Trà Vinh Pharmaceutical Co. JSC. in Trà Vinh Province. The Government last month managed to divest its VND219.5 billion (US$9.74 million) worth of shares of the company. — VNA/VNS Photo Vũ Sinh

HÀ NỘI – The Government should not let the long-break of Tết (Lunar New Year) holidays distract them from getting work done, the Prime Minister said yesterday.

During the regular monthly cabinet meeting yesterday afternoon, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc asked the Government to complete drafts on the guide to implement 2017 plans, which recently went under scrutiny at the National Assembly (NA).

The second meeting session of the NA this year in late October discussed 14 draft laws presented by ministries and commented on the Government’s draft plans on socio-economic development and estimated state budget spending in 2017. NA deputies also questioned other macroeconomic plans including those on the national economic restructure as well as state investment in the medium- and long-term.

“(The Government) must seriously get down to work from the first day of the New Year, and not let the relaxing attitude (of Tết) distract them,” the PM said.

Office work often slows down and stagnates during the one-month period before and after the Tết holiday.   

Regarding the recent VNĐ/USD exchange rate fluctuation, PM Phúc said even though it is not worrying, a close watch must be kept so as to promptly deal with sudden changes. He asked ministries to thoroughly handle bad and public debt, poor-performing banks, and loss-making projects. 

They also have to make precise forecasts and assessment of the international situation that impacts the country’s development, he added. 

He also ordered ministers to hold to the promises they made while fielding NA deputies’ questions at the parliament’s second session. 

As there are only two months left before Tết, the cabinet should discuss preparation work for the biggest and most important festival, particularly for the people living in remote and disaster-hit areas, the PM noted. 

At the meeting, the Government mulled over a draft law on measurements and maps, a draft plan on special economic zones, and a draft resolution on the implementation of some benefits for professional soldiers, defence workers, and public servants. 

They also listened to a report on the signing of a trade promotion and facilitation agreement in the Cambodia-Laos-Việt Nam Development Triangle Area. – VNS