HÀ NỘI — The 12th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Việt Nam discussed the socio-economic situation and State budget implementation in 2018 along with plans for 2019 during a morning session yesterday, chaired by Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc. 

Most Party Central Committee members expressed approval of the reports by the Government’s Party Committee on socio-economic and budget performance in 2018 and plans for next year, while analysing problems and recommending solutions. 

Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Bế Xuân Trường said from now to 2020, the most important thing was to make accurate forecasts on the future local and global economic situation and take appropriate measures to fulfil targets in development and national defence-security.

Trường said breakthroughs in development were needed for the country to overcome the middle-income trap. According to him, the key solution is to focus investment on high-tech industries. Only high technology could bring high productivity, quality and competitiveness, he said. 

The deputy minister underlined institutions as most important among the three strategic breakthroughs of institutions, infrastructure and human resources. He said appropriate institutions would help the country mobilise both domestic and foreign resources for development and to attract talented people. 

Secretary of Quảng Bình Province’s Party Committee Hoàng Đăng Quang emphasised that positive socio-economic outcomes in recent times despite numerous difficulties, especially natural disasters, have proven the efforts of the entire political system and the sound leadership of the Party, the Government, administrations and sectors. 

At the same time, he noted outstanding problems, one of which is the slow disbursement of public investment, and the inaction of some ministries and agencies.  

He proposed that the Party Central Committee conduct a mid-term review of the 12th tenure, focusing on major policies such as the three strategic breakthroughs, and economic restructuring in association with renewing the growth model. 

A comprehensive assessment of what has been done and what has not would provide lessons for the remaining tenure of the 13th National Party Congress, Quang said. 

He also suggested the early revision of several laws, including the Law on Public Investment and the revised Land Law. 

Chairman of the Việt Nam Farmers’ Union Thào Xuân Sùng urged the Party Central Committee to focus its leadership and resources on restructuring agriculture in combination with shifting the growth model and building new-style rural areas, with a view to raising agricultural productivity, and the quality and competitiveness of farm produce. 

In his opinion, efforts should be concentrated on building co-operatives and improving rural labour quality. 
Sùng said the country had been able to make good use of its internal strengths, especially those of the private economic sector. He proposed raising the target for GDP growth in 2019 to 6.7-6.9 per cent, saying such a target was feasible. — VNS