Striving to achieve a growth target of 6.5% in 2024.

Attending the session were Deputy Prime Ministers Tran Hong Ha and Tran Luu Quang; Ministers and heads of ministerial-level agencies and government agencies; representatives of the leadership of several committees, commissions, and agencies of the Central Party and the National Assembly; leaders of several economic groups; and Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh presides over the regular Government meeting in March 2024 and the Government Conference with localities. Photo: Duong Giang/TTXVN

Most sectors performed better than the same period in 2023.

The meeting focused on discussing and evaluating the socio-economic situation in March and the first quarter of 2024, setting tasks for April and the second quarter of 2024; the direction and management work of the Government and the Prime Minister; the situation of public investment disbursement and the three national target programs; supplementing the results of the implementation of the socio-economic development plan for 2023; and the results of the implementation of Resolution No. 110/2023/QH15 of the sixth session of the 15th National Assembly …

Leaders of ministries, sectors, and localities assessed that, in the past period, the Government and the Prime Minister have directed ministries, agencies, and localities to implement policies decisively, with a focus on key areas, closely adhering to reality, and firmly grasping the situation. Ministries, sectors, and localities have promptly implemented tasks and responded with policies more promptly with high political determination; becoming increasingly proactive, steadfast, flexible, responsible, and effective; promptly resolving difficulties and obstacles, and focusing on handling outstanding issues as well as newly arising ones.

Thanks to this, the socio-economic situation in March 2024 continued its positive recovery trend; March's results were better than January and February; overall, in the first quarter, most sectors achieved better results compared to the same period in 2023. Many international organizations and experts continue to highly appreciate the results and prospects of the Vietnamese economy, with the ADB forecasting 6% growth in 2024, and HSBC forecasting 6.3% growth; the business environment ranking in 2023 increased by 12 places. The value of Vietnam's national brand reached US$431 billion, ranking 32nd out of 100 strongest national brands in the world. The happiness index in 2024 ranked 54th, an increase of 11 places compared to 2023.

Delegates noted that, alongside achievements, there are still many difficulties and challenges that need to be overcome, such as: Production, business, and enterprises still face many difficulties and challenges; inflationary pressure and exchange rates are issues of concern; the financial and monetary markets and banking system still harbor potential risks; many key highway and road projects, especially in the Mekong Delta and the South, are experiencing a shortage of sand for foundation filling, affecting project progress; and the lives of a segment of the population remain difficult...

Local leaders proposed that the Government and the Prime Minister direct relevant ministries and agencies to implement several recommendations, such as: promptly approving important projects in the area, especially infrastructure development projects; land allocation and conversion of land use; further concretizing programs and schemes, especially the decentralization of procedures for projects under the three national programs and targets, and the scheme to build one million social housing units; addressing the shortage of flights to meet travel needs; and finalizing regulations on marine aquaculture…

After listening to the opinions of the delegates and the responses from the ministries and agencies, concluding the session, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that in March and from the beginning of the year until now, the Government, ministries, agencies and localities have focused on directing the decisive and flexible implementation of tasks and solutions according to the Resolutions and Conclusions of the Central Committee, the Politburo, the Secretariat, the National Assembly, and the Government, especially the directives of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

The Prime Minister outlined "10 positive aspects" of socio-economic development in the past period. These included: GDP growth in the first quarter reached 5.66%, higher than the same period in 2020; the stock market recovered positively, with the VN Index increasing by over 13%, trading value increasing by 28.2%, and market capitalization increasing by 12.2% compared to the end of 2023; macroeconomic stability continued to be maintained, inflation was controlled, and major balances were ensured; exports continued to increase significantly, resulting in a large trade surplus, contributing to the balance of payments; the service and tourism sectors recovered strongly; the state budget and financial situation continued to improve significantly; development investment continued to yield positive results, creating momentum for economic growth; and enterprise development continued to increase with a positive trend.

Simultaneously, cultural and social fields have been prioritized; social security has been ensured; people's lives have improved; administrative reform has been emphasized, especially the reduction and simplification of administrative procedures; the fight against corruption and negative practices has been intensified; political and social stability has been maintained, national defense and security have been upheld, and social order and safety have been ensured; and foreign affairs and international integration have been promoted.

Representatives from ministries, departments, and government agencies attended the meeting. Photo: Duong Giang/TTXVN.

Implement the "5 resolutions," "5 guarantees," and "5 initiatives."

Clearly outlining five existing shortcomings and limitations, along with five causes and five lessons learned, and emphasizing the guiding principles for direction and management, the Prime Minister requested that ministries, sectors, and localities closely adhere to the resolutions, directives, and guidance of the Central Party Committee, the Politburo, the Secretariat, key leaders, the National Assembly, the Government, and the Prime Minister. They must resolutely not back down in the face of difficulties, maintain their resolve, and remain steadfast in achieving the set goals with greater determination, greater effort, and more decisive and effective action; prioritizing internal strength as the fundamental, strategic, long-term, and decisive factor, while considering external forces as important and breakthroughs; promoting the spirit of solidarity, self-reliance, and self-improvement, viewing difficulties and challenges as driving forces for progress; and focusing on removing obstacles, promoting production and business, and creating jobs and livelihoods for the people.

Furthermore, it is essential to closely monitor domestic and international developments; enhance analytical and forecasting capabilities; effectively mobilize and utilize all resources; harmoniously and closely combine internal and external resources, central and local levels, and national strength with the strength of the times; promote decentralization, delegation of power, and resource allocation; improve implementation capacity while strengthening inspection and supervision; strengthen unity and cohesion; maintain administrative discipline and order; promptly address shortcomings in policy responses of some agencies and units; adhere to principles of action while being proactive, flexible, and creative in leadership and management based on practical developments; promptly resolve bottlenecks, difficulties, and obstacles; proactively resolve issues within authority without relying on others; and promptly propose and recommend solutions for issues beyond authority. In all cases, political and social stability must be ensured; national defense and security must be strengthened. Strengthening foreign relations, international integration, and promoting information and communication to combat corruption and negative practices, thereby fostering social consensus.

To demonstrate the effectiveness of his directives and policies, the Prime Minister stated that without strong determination, great effort, and decisive action, the implementation of electronic invoices in the petroleum business would hardly have reached the current 99.6%; similarly, after many years of delays, the construction of the 500 kV transmission line, circuit 3, from Quang Trach to Pho Noi, will be completed by the end of June after just over half a year of implementation.

Regarding the main tasks and solutions for the coming period, emphasizing the goal of achieving a 6.5% growth target in 2024, the Prime Minister requested the implementation of "5 resolutions," "5 guarantees," and "5 initiatives."

This includes upholding the spirit of "5 resolutions," which are: A determination to overcome all difficulties and challenges; a determination to act decisively, without saying no, without saying it's difficult, and without saying yes without doing it; avoiding complacency, negligence, and a lack of vigilance, with the motto "not arrogant in victory, not discouraged in defeat"; a determination to protect officials who dare to think and act for the common good; thinking truthfully, speaking truthfully, acting truthfully, and achieving real results; a determination to improve the investment and business environment, remove obstacles, promote production and business for enterprises, and ensure that people and businesses truly benefit; and a determination to strive to the highest possible results in 2024.

According to the Prime Minister, the "five guarantees" that must be effectively implemented are: ensuring the synchronized, decisive, and effective implementation of tasks and solutions according to the conclusions of the Central Committee, the Politburo, key leaders, and resolutions of the National Assembly and the Government; ensuring macroeconomic stability, major economic balances, and inflation control; ensuring the healthy, open, and transparent development of various markets such as the real estate market and the capital market; ensuring the full conditions for implementing the new salary system from July 1, 2024; ensuring social security, safety, and people's well-being; strengthening the fight against corruption, negative practices, and waste; and firmly protecting independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.

Along with that, the head of the government also requested a focus on implementing "5 key areas of focus": Boosting economic growth in all sectors, including renewing traditional growth drivers and promoting new ones; promoting economic transformation towards green transformation, developing the digital economy, circular economy, knowledge economy, sharing economy, and emerging industries and sectors. Boosting the mobilization of all social resources for investment and development; resolving difficulties and obstacles, creating favorable conditions for production and business, creating jobs and livelihoods for the people; avoiding creating additional barriers for people and businesses; and addressing and resolving long-standing issues and projects. Boosting three strategic breakthroughs: improving institutions; developing a synchronous and modern infrastructure system; and developing human resources to serve development in the new era. Strengthening foreign relations and international integration, consolidating and enhancing Vietnam's position and prestige in the international arena; promptly concretizing and effectively utilizing international treaties and agreements of high-level leaders. Promoting the application of science and technology; fostering innovation and entrepreneurship; accelerating national digital transformation, and effectively implementing Project 06 and the National Data Center.

Assigning specific tasks to each ministry, sector, and locality, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested and expressed confidence that ministries, sectors, and localities would grasp the situation thoroughly, respond with timely policies; maintain unity and consensus; actively and proactively resolve issues according to their functions, duties, and authority; manage decisively and effectively; and coordinate closely... to successfully implement the assigned tasks.

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