Nguyến Đức Kiên, vice chairman of the National Assembly’s Economics Committee delivers a speech at the forum. — VNA/VNS Photo Tường Vi

THỪA THIÊN-HUẾ — Việt Nam’s socio-economic situation has shown positive signs with the economy maintaining growth momentum in the first months of 2019, according to Nguyễn Đức Kiên, vice chairman of the National Assembly (NA)’s Economics Committee.
Global trade and investment growth is likely to fall short of the pace projected by international economic and financial institutions this year, harming the country’s economy, Kiên told a two-day forum titled “Socio-economic Situation of Việt Nam in 2019” which ended on Friday.

The government’s efforts to reform, remove barriers for the domestic economy and utilise opportunities from international economic integration would determine the country’s economic situation in 2019, he added.

The forum was hosted by the Germany-based Hanns Seidel Foundation in cooperation with the NA to assess major socio-economic issues in Việt Nam. It also aims to make recommendations to boost the country’s development.

Participants discussed four main topics, namely Việt Nam’s economic situation in 2019 and impacts of free trade agreements, major issues of Việt Nam’s economy in 2019, major socio-cultural issues of Việt Nam in 2019, and recommendations for Việt Nam’s socio-economic development in 2020.

According to reports at the event, the global economy is in a period of “high uncertainty” as about 70 per cent of economies, mostly developing, are projected to experience economic slowdown in the wake of escalating trade tension between major nations.

However, a positive outlook has remained for Việt Nam’s economy as the macroeconomy has been stable, inflation is under control and the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in the first half of the year expanded 2.64 per cent, the lowest over the past three years. The six-month Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 6.76 per cent, lower than a year ago but higher than the same period in 2011-17.

The participants also highlighted major social issues, notably violence against children, child sexual abuse and school incidents that have sparked public outrage.

Child sexual abuse and violence occurred in most cities and provinces nationwide, said Hoàng Thị Tây Ninh, Child Rights Governance (CRG) Programme Manager at Save The Children. Close to 3,000 cases were reported from 2017-18, involving 3,400 offenders and 3,200 victims, she noted, adding that child sexual abuse accounted for more than 50 per cent of the cases.

She said it was critical to develop and reinforce the local child protection system and facilitate community-based child protection mechanisms. She also urged improving the capacity of social workers and volunteers and enhancing inter-sectoral coordination in this matter while authorities must strengthen education and communications to raise public awareness of child rights and child rights-related law and policies. — VNS