The Government will focus on boosting economic development and ensuring social welfare, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc told voters in Kiến An Ward in northern Hải Phòng City yesterday.– VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

HẢI PHÒNG – The Government will focus on boosting economic development and ensuring social welfare, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc told voters in Kiến An Ward in northern Hải Phòng City yesterday.  

The PM briefed the voters on Việt Nam’s socio-economic achievements so far this year. Exports expanded by 21 per cent above the planned figure to over US$200 billion. The country has a trade surplus of $2.8 billion, along with over $47 billion in foreign currency reserves in the first 11 months of 2017.

He also noted that more than 120,000 new firms have been set up, while Việt Nam has attracted over $33 billion in foreign direct investment this year for the first time. Meanwhile, the number of poor households has been reduced significantly and defence and security have been ensured, he said. The APEC Economic Leaders’ Week 2017 and related meetings were held successfully, he added.

Voter Hoàng Đình Chiến asked the PM to describe the Government’s management in 2018 to ensure sustainable growth and complete the 2015-2020 plan.

PM Phúc said that in the coming time, along with overcoming the consequences of disaster and ensuring national security, the Government will also work hard to improve social security and welfare. At the same time, the Government will apply drastic measures to combat corruption and wastefulness.

Answering voter Đinh Đặng Hùng on solutions to develop high technology agriculture, the PM said that the cabinet will continue gathering voters’ opinions on the adjustments to the Law on Land, thus facilitating the development of hi-tech agriculture on a large scale.

Meanwhile, voter Nguyễn Đức Hạnh showed interest in the Party and State’s policy in protecting sovereignty over seas and islands and cooperation in exploiting maritime resources.

The Government leader stressed said that Việt Nam resolutely safeguards national sovereignty over seas and islands in line with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982.Việt Nam will continue using peaceful measures and negotiations combined with protest to protect this sovereignty, he stated.

Recalling the EU’s issuance of a yellow card to Vietnamese seafood, the PM said he hopes fishermen will abide by international law in fishing activities. He asked Hải Phòng locals to take the pioneering role in the work.

On the same day, Deputy Prime Minister Vương Đình Huệ met voters in central Hà Tĩnh Province’s Đức Thọ District.

Huệ praised achievements made by people and authorities of the district, particularly in building new style rural areas.

Regarding the construction of safe water projects in rural areas, Huệ said the Government had a plan to provide preferential policies in terms of land lease to lure investors in building safe water supply stations at a low cost. He instructed social policy banks to provide businesses with low-interest loans to implement these projects.

In order to help promote sustainable agricultural development and ensure incomes for local people, the Government would organise models of production linkage in co-operation with businesses and adjust policies on agricultural insurance, he said.

At the meeting, local voters voiced their concerns about infrastructure damage from natural disasters, hampered people’s daily activities. They also said illegal sand exploitation along La River has affected the environment and harmed local agricultural production.

The deputy PM said he would entrust relevant Government agencies or local authorities to address these concerns. — VNS