Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc chaired the socio-economic sub-committee of the 13th National Party Congress on Thursday in Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

HÀ NỘI — Science and technology, innovation and people's aspirations have been selected as “breakthrough strategies” to ensure the growth of Việt Nam by the country's socio-economic committee.

Chairing the sub-committee’s sixth plenary meeting on Thursday, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc said the sub-committee must draw experience from other countries – especially those in the region with similar conditions, to arrive at the best solutions to ensure the fast and sustainable development of the country.

PM Phúc said the Việt Nam Communist Party Central Committee’s 11th plenum held in October last year had given feedback to the sub-committees for the National Party Congress.

They included two reports from the socio-economic sub-committee on reviewing the socio-economic strategy for 2011-20 and building a strategy for 2021-30, and a report on the implementation of the socio-economic strategy for 2016-20 period and tasks and orientations for 2021-25.

Deputy prime ministers and standing members of the sub-committee had held several meetings with experts and scientists to listen to their feedback “on the spirit of renewal, progression and revolution,” the Government leader said.

The editorial group of the sub-committee had also worked with representatives from reputable international organisations in Việt Nam to include their opinions in the report, to avoid “backwardness” and “falling out of step” with regional and global developments.

The sub-committee discussed in length the generalisations the editorial group had put in the report, which stated that Việt Nam in the last ten years had made a range of important achievements across many areas, especially from 2016-20, with remarkable growth and globally recognised highlights.

Regarding weaknesses and shortcomings,  PM Phúc ordered “deeper analysis” in all sectors – especially the collective economy, agriculture restructuring efforts, tourism development, infrastructure, environmental protection, climate change response and other hot-button social and cultural issues that had emerged in recent times.

He demanded an objective look that was free from “blackening” or irrational optimism.

Another topic of discussion was the fast-changing international situations and pressure from both traditional and non-traditional threats on the economy as the country integrates deeper into the world. Việt Nam in 2018 posted trade value equal to over 200 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Production (GDP) – the highest level for any nation with a population of 50 million or higher, according  to a report from the World Bank.

Regarding priority goals and measures, PM Phúc asked that the sub-committee to discuss measures to realise the country's potential and expedite efficient use of resources to develop all areas, from the economy and social and cultural progress, to defence and external affairs. — VNS