HÀ NỘI – The Government is determined to maintain the trust it has built with people and the whole political system since it began the 14th tenure nearly 10 months ago, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has said.

He made the remark at the Cabinet’s regular January meeting yesterday, asking all sectors and authorities at all levels to immediately get down to work after the freshly concluded weeklong Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday.

The Cabinet would push ahead toward building an incorruptible and action-oriented Government to serve people and enterprises, he stressed, noting that it would continue implementing Resolution 35 on developing the business community and Resolution 19 on facilitating the business climate.

He urged ministers to foster hi-tech agriculture amid increasing climate change impacts, protecting the environment during economic development and ensuring inclusive growth.

Each Government member would need to carry out his/her tasks in a more drastic manner while giving directions with regard to global changes such as the resurgence of protectionism and nationalism. They should pay heed to difficulties caused by unpredictable natural disasters to take appropriate measures for ensuring people’s livelihoods, he added.

At the meeting, Minister-Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tiến Dũng said goods supplies for Tết with stable prices and good quality satisfied consumption demand. Meanwhile, the crackdown on smuggling ramped up prior to Tết had controlled counterfeits.

On the occasion of Tết, local authorities sent the State President’s gifts worth over VNĐ431 billion (US$19 million) to more than 2 million people with recognised contribution to the nation and delivered 14,114 tonnes of rice to more than 297,000 needy families. Localities also spent over VNĐ1 trillion ($44.2 million) from their budget to assist disadvantaged people during Tết.

Dũng said although serious congestions did not occur, there were 368 traffic accidents during Tết from January 26 to February 1, killing 203 and injuring 417 others. These numbers respectively increased by 84, 21 and 142 from the 2016 Lunar New Year.

PM Phúc said the entire political system joined hands in ensuring a peaceful and healthy Tết for people nationwide, especially low-income earners, and policy beneficiary families. However, he expressed concerns about the rise of road accidents.

The Cabinet chief requested all-level authorities and sectors, especially culture, sports and tourism agencies to ensure security and order at spring festivals. He also underlined that officials and civil servants must not participate in festivals during work hours or use public cars to go to festivals.

At the session, participants also discussed a draft decree on goods, services and areas that are monopolized by the State, a draft law on forest protection and development, and a draft programme on law making for 2018.--VNS