PM said to increase socio-economic development
Ha Noi, Feb.2 (VNA) -- Prime Minister Phan Van Khai has described the year 2001 as the start of a stage in which Viet Nam will boost socio-economic development to match its progress to international economic integration.
"2001 must be the beginning of a stage in which Viet Nam accelerates socio-economic growth in order to make its 2001-2005 five-year plan and 2001-2010 ten-year strategy successful and match its progress to international integration, including its fully-fledged entry into the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) by 2006", Khai said.
Addressing a three-day Cabinet meeting, which began in Ho Chi Minh City on Feb.1, to discuss measures for implementation of the 2001 socio-economic plan, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to raise the efficiency of development investment and the expansion of markets for product consumption.
"Investment for development is a decisive factor having a direct impact on the growth of an economy, but our mistakes and weakness in investment and capital construction remain a burning question of concern," he told the meeting.
Khai called for an increase in state budget revenues and a reduction of regular expenditures, describing them as crucial for development investment.
He also urged every ministry and agency to strictly observe financial discipline as part of the effort to avoid wasteful spending, unplanned revenue and expenditure and unlawful tax exemptions.
"Investment structures must be implemented by combining production and the market while fully exploiting potential and increasing efficiency and competitiveness," he said, describing it as vital to Viet Nam's economy.
The Prime Minister said: "In addition to policies and measures to beef up exports, more effort should be made to increase information about markets, increase trade promotion and find more markets, including preparations for the implementation of the Viet Nam-US Trade Agreement."
"Besides such important national programmes as poverty alleviation and hunger elimination, employment provision and social evils and traffic accident prevention, further discussions should be centralized on measures to step up the development of education and training, science and technology, environment and healthcare protection," he said.--VNA
