(Chinhphu.vn) - On the afternoon of April 3 in Hanoi, after the regular Government meeting on the same morning, the Government Office held a regular Government press conference in March 4.
Regular Government press conference in March 3 – Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
The press conference was chaired by Minister, Chairman of the Government Office Tran Van Son, Government Spokesperson.
Also attending were representatives of leaders of relevant ministries, branches and agencies along with a large number of reporters and editors from central and local press and news agencies.
Information about the regular Government meeting in March, the Government Spokesperson said:
The regular Government meeting in March 3 and the Government's online conference with localities took place today (April 2024) under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to evaluate the socio-economic situation in March. and the first quarter of 3; implementation status of 4 National Target Programs; disbursement of public investment capital along with a number of other important contents; Set out key tasks and solutions and breakthroughs in the coming time.
In the first quarter of 2024, the world situation continues to evolve rapidly, complicatedly, and unpredictablely; Political instability in some regions escalated; The world economy is forecast to slow down... Domestically, opportunities, advantages and difficulties, challenges are intertwined, but difficulties and challenges are more.
In that context, the Government, ministries, branches and localities have focused on directing the drastic and flexible implementation of tasks and solutions according to the Resolutions and Conclusions of the Central Committee, the Politburo and the Secretariat. letter, the National Assembly, and the Government, focusing on directing the organization of a joyful, healthy, safe, economical, and respectful Lunar New Year, not leaving anyone without a Tet; Promote the work of building and perfecting institutions, organizing many important conferences with the business community, experts, scientists, and international organizations; Effectively deploy many foreign affairs and international integration activities...
Discussed at the meeting, leaders of the Government, ministries, branches and localities agreed: the socio-economic situation in March 3 will continue the positive recovery trend; March results were better than January and February; Overall, in the first quarter, most fields achieved better results than the same period in 2024. Notably:
GDP growth in the first quarter reached 5,66%, higher than the same period from 2020 to present (GDP in the first quarter of 2020 - 2023 increased by 3,21%; 4,85%; 5,12%; 3,41%, respectively). ). All three areas are developing well (agriculture increased by 3%; industry and construction increased by 2,98%; services increased by 6,28%).
Some localities had high increases in processing and manufacturing industries over the same period (Quang Ninh increased by 39,9%; Phu Tho increased by 27,7%; Bac Giang increased by 24%; Thanh Hoa increased by 18,6%; Ha Nam increased by 17,9%; Ninh Thuan increased by 17,4%; Tay Ninh increased by 14,4%; Hai Duong increased by 12,8%).
The macroeconomy continues to be stable, inflation is controlled, major balances are guaranteed (export enough, trade surplus of 8,08 billion USD; making enough food - exporting over 2 million tons of rice, worth 1,37 billion USD; energy and food security, labor supply and demand are guaranteed).
The average consumer price index in the first quarter increased by 3,77%, below the threshold assigned by the National Assembly (4-4,5%) and lower than the same period (4,18%). Exchange rates are managed proactively and flexibly; Interest rates continue to trend downward.
Exports continue to increase, trade surplus is large, contributing to ensuring the balance of payments. Import-export turnover in March reached 3 billion USD, up 65% over the previous month and 35,6% over the same period; Overall, the first quarter reached 12 billion USD, an increase of 178%, trade surplus was 15,5 billion USD.
The service and tourism sectors recovered strongly. Total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue in March increased by 3% over the same period; Overall, the first quarter increased by 9,2%. The number of international visitors in March reached nearly 8,2 million, an increase of 3% over the same period; Overall, in the first quarter, there were over 1,6 million visits, an increase of 78,6% and an increase of 4,6% compared to the same period in 72 (the year before the COVID-3,2 epidemic).
The financial situation - State budget continues to improve clearly. State budget revenue in the first quarter reached 31,7% of the yearly estimate, up 9,8% over the same period. Public debt, government debt, the country's foreign debt and state budget deficit are well controlled, much lower than the prescribed limit.
Development investment continues to achieve positive results, creating motivation to promote economic growth. Disbursement of public investment capital reached 13,67% of the year's plan, higher than the same period (10,35%). FDI investment attraction reached 6,17 billion USD, up 13,4% over the same period; Realized FDI capital reached 4,63 billion USD, an increase of 7,1% and the highest in the past 5 years.
Enterprise development continues to increase with a positive trend. In March 3, there were 2024 thousand newly registered enterprises, an increase of 14,1% compared to February; Overall, in the first quarter, there were 64,3 thousand newly registered enterprises, an increase of 2% and 36,2 thousand enterprises returned to operation, an increase of 6,9% over the same period.
Cultural and social fields are emphasized; Social security is guaranteed; People's lives are improved. In the first quarter, 93,6% of households were assessed to have stable income or higher than the same period. The care of social protection beneficiaries, poor households, people with meritorious services to the revolution... is well organized (According to reports from localities, the total amount of support for the above subjects in the first quarter was nearly 20 trillion VND and more than 17,7 thousand tons of rice).
Administrative reform is emphasized, especially reducing and simplifying administrative procedures; prosecuted and tried many major economic and corruption cases, contributing to strengthening trust among the people.
Political - social stability, national defense - security are maintained, social order and safety are guaranteed. Foreign affairs and international integration have been promoted. The country's prestige and position continue to be enhanced.
Many international organizations and experts continue to highly appreciate the results and prospects of Vietnam's economy (ADB forecasts that Vietnam will grow by 2024% in 6, HSBC Bank forecasts a growth of 6,3%; Standard Bank forecasts that Vietnam will grow by 6,7%. Chartered forecasts an increase of 6,8%; S&P forecasts an increase of 8%; Human Development Index (HDI) increases XNUMX levels...).
Besides affirming that the achieved results are basic, our country still has shortcomings, limitations, difficulties and challenges that need to be focused on responding, handling and overcoming, among which are: (1) The pressure to direct macroeconomic management, especially inflation, interest rates, and exchange rates is still high (noting that the exchange rate between USD and Vietnamese Dong and the difference in domestic and foreign gold prices tend to increase); (2) Some industrial production sectors have recovered slowly, the food service and entertainment sectors have not recovered clearly; (3) Production and business activities in some fields are still difficult, the number of businesses withdrawing from the market is still high; (4) Public investment capital has not been fully allocated, there is still a risk of lack of sand for ground leveling for traffic projects and key constructions; (5) Social order and safety in some areas and the crime situation, especially high-tech crimes and online fraud, are still complicated...
Minister, Chairman of the Government Office Tran Van Son, Government Spokesperson provides information to the press - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
Concluding the meeting, on the basis of analyzing the causes, lessons learned and analyzing the international, regional and domestic situation in the coming time, the Prime Minister stated his viewpoints on directing management and recommending Recommend ministries, branches and localities to implement the highest and best performance, strive to achieve and exceed goals and targets in 2024, especially growth targets in the spirit of "Year of determination", "Year of assurance". courage” and “The year of stepping up”. Specifically:
– “Five determinations” are:
(1) Determined to overcome all difficulties and overcome all challenges.
(2) Be determined to do it, don't say no, don't say it's difficult, don't say yes but don't do it; Do not be subjective, negligent, or lose vigilance with the motto "don't be arrogant in winning, don't be discouraged in defeat".
(3) Determined to protect officials who dare to think and act for the common good; At the same time, promote the prevention and fight against corruption and negativity.
(4) Determined to improve the business investment environment, remove difficulties and obstacles, strengthen decentralization and decentralization, cut administrative procedures, and reduce compliance costs for people and businesses.
(5) Determined to strive the highest to achieve the best results in 2024, especially promoting growth drivers.
– Implement well the “5 Guarantees” which are:
(1) Ensure synchronous, drastic and effective implementation of tasks and solutions according to Resolutions and Conclusions of the Central Committee, the Politburo, key leaders, the National Assembly and the Government.
(2) Ensuring macroeconomic stability, major balances of the economy and controlling inflation, creating a foundation and favorable conditions for rapid and sustainable socio-economic development.
(3) Ensuring healthy development, openness and transparency of all types of markets.
(4) Ensure full conditions to implement the new salary regime from July 1, 7.
(5) Ensuring political stability, social order and safety, social security, security, safety, and people's safety; Firmly protect independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.
– Focus on implementing the "Year of Acceleration" is:
(1) Promote economic growth in key industries and fields;
(2) Promote mobilization of all resources to promote production, create jobs, create livelihoods for people, contributing to promoting economic growth;
(3) Promote 03 strategic breakthroughs;
(4) Promote foreign affairs activities, international integration, consolidate and enhance Vietnam's position and reputation in the international arena. Urgently concretize and effectively exploit international treaties and agreements of senior leaders.
(5) Promote the application of science and technology, innovation, and startups from the Central to all localities.
At the same time, the Prime Minister emphasized specific tasks and solutions, including:
– Operate monetary policy proactively, flexibly, promptly and effectively; Coordinate synchronously, harmoniously and closely with reasonable, focused and focused expansionary fiscal policies and other policies.
– Ensuring adequate supply of credit capital to serve the economy; Closely monitor bad debt situation and ensure system safety.
– Continue to take measures to reduce lending interest rates.
– Improve the efficiency of bad debt handling; capacity, operational efficiency, stability and safety of the banking system.
– Maintain stable foreign currency and gold markets. Strive to continue to increase state foreign exchange reserves.
– Strive to drastically increase revenue and save state budget expenditure. Focus on deploying the use of electronic invoices, especially in catering, service, and petroleum retail businesses. Create clear changes in preventing revenue loss and tax arrears (striving to reduce arrears to 3-4%).
– Urgently research and submit to competent authorities for consideration and promulgation of regulations on tax extension and reduction of land rent and water surface rent; promulgate according to authority the policy to reduce fees and charges in 2024.
– Drastically implement tasks and solutions to upgrade Vietnam's stock market as soon as possible.
– Accelerate progress and effectively implement national, regional and provincial planning implementation plans to create new motivation and promote growth. Implement plans to implement electricity planning VIII; Soon promulgate a direct electricity trading mechanism, a self-supply, self-production and self-consumption mechanism; Ensure adequate supply of electricity, gasoline and oil for production and consumption, and absolutely avoid electricity shortages.
– Strengthen price and market management; Control inflation according to set goals, while promoting growth.
– Promote economic transformation in all fields towards green transformation, development of digital economy, circular economy, knowledge economy, sharing economy and emerging industries and fields (sold chips guidance, artificial intelligence, hydrogen...). Promote national digital transformation; Effectively deploy Project 06 and the National Data Center.
– Strictly implement the arrangement of district and commune-level administrative units for the period 2023-2030 according to the Conclusions and Resolutions of the Politburo, National Assembly and Government.
– Regarding institutional improvement: Closely coordinate with relevant agencies; ensure the quality and progress of projects and contents submitted to the Central Committee at the 9th Session and the National Assembly at the upcoming 7th Session. Accelerate the progress of construction and promulgation of documents guiding the implementation of the Land Law, the Law on Credit Institutions, the Law on Real Estate Business, the Law on Housing... (striving to complete in April 4). Research to amend and supplement Decree No. 2024/114/ND-CP on management and use of official development assistance (ODA) and concessional loans from foreign donors to reduce procedures and speed up Promote disbursement of ODA capital.
+ Promote the reduction and simplification of administrative procedures and business conditions that are unnecessary and inconsistent with the practice and applicability of businesses.
– Regarding infrastructure: Focus on developing traffic infrastructure systems, digital transformation, and responding to climate change, drought, and saltwater intrusion. Determined to complete the 500 KV circuit 3 line project in June 6 and inaugurate 2024 expressways Cam Lam - Vinh Hao and Dien Chau - Bai Vot on April 2, 30.
– Regarding human resource development: Promote human resource training, focus on high-quality human resources, meet needs and welcome the wave of high-tech investment in Vietnam.
Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
Investment Newspaper reporter: Currently, the Real Estate Business Law and the Housing Law have been passed. Please ask the Ministry of Construction how it has a roadmap for implementing these two laws?
Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Van Sinh responded at the press conference - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Van Sinh: Regarding the implementation roadmap of two law projects recently approved by the National Assembly, the Real Estate Business Law and the revised Housing Law. For these two laws, the Government has issued a plan and list of tasks to develop guiding documents under the law.
Regarding the Housing Law, the Ministry of Construction is assigned to develop 3 Decrees, 1 Circular and 1 Decision including: Decree detailing and guiding the implementation of a number of articles of the Housing Law; Decree on renovating and rebuilding apartment buildings; Decree on social housing development and management; The Circular details a number of articles of the Housing Law; Decision of the Prime Minister promulgating standards and norms for public housing.
In addition, with the Housing Law, the Ministry of National Defense was assigned to develop a Circular detailing a number of articles of the Housing Law in the Vietnam People's Army; The Ministry of Public Security will develop a Circular detailing a number of articles of the Law on Housing in the People's Police
For the Law on Real Estate Business, the Ministry of Construction is assigned to develop 2 Decrees and 1 Circular including: Decree detailing and guiding the implementation of a number of articles of the Law on Real Estate Business; Decree on construction, management and use of information systems on housing and real estate markets; Circular promulgating the Framework Program for training and fostering knowledge in practicing real estate brokerage and operating real estate trading floors.
The Ministry of Finance develops a Circular regulating the use of funds to build, investigate, collect information, update, maintain and operate information systems and databases on housing and real estate markets. products; Guidance on determining prices for providing information and data services on housing and real estate markets in accordance with the law on prices; Provide guidance on management and use of proceeds from providing information and data services on housing and real estate markets.
In addition, the Government also assigned localities a number of regulations related to the Housing Law, requiring localities to urgently specify locations and locations for housing development according to projects; Regulations on roads for firefighting vehicles to perform firefighting tasks where there are multi-storey apartments; Regulations on supporting and resolving the sale, purchase, and lease of social housing for subjects specified in Clauses 2 and 3, Article 76 of the Housing Law 2023; Regulations on criteria for commercial housing construction investment projects in special type, type 1,2, 3, and XNUMX urban areas in which the investor of the commercial housing project must reserve a part of the residential land area for the project. The project has invested in building technical infrastructure; Regulations to support social housing investment within the area; Regulations on renting social housing built by individuals; Regulation of rental prices for accommodation in industrial parks; Regulations on coordination in providing housing information between agencies competent to carry out certification procedures and local State management agencies to ensure consistency in housing information...
Immediately after the Prime Minister issued a plan to implement these two laws, the Ministry of Construction sent documents to localities to implement related tasks. At the same time, we also worked directly with the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of National Defense to implement the above tasks.
As for the group of tasks related to the Ministry of Construction on the development of Decrees and Circulars guiding the two Law projects, the Ministry of Construction has urgently established a Drafting Committee to develop drafts of the Decrees. Currently, we have posted the draft content on the Government's Electronic Information Portal and the Ministry of Construction's Electronic Information Portal to collect public opinions from people, businesses, ministries, localities, and associations. Association, VCCI, Vietnam Fatherland Front...
In addition, the Ministry of Construction also organized many seminars in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. In particular, regarding the Decree on renovating and rebuilding apartment buildings, the Ministry of Construction has directly worked with Hanoi, Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh City to get opinions from these localities because these are localities with many old apartments. …
Up to this point, the Ministry of Construction has received many opinions from localities, businesses, associations, ministries, branches... We have recorded, synthesized and absorbed the opinions. It is expected that the Ministry of Construction will send the Ministry of Justice on April 20 for appraisal opinions. After that, the Ministry of Construction will fully absorb and expect to report to the Government in early May for consideration and approval of Decrees related to the two Law projects.
Reporter Vu Duy Cuong (VTV Electronic Newspaper): According to Hanoi City Police, Ms. Bui Thi Hoai Anh, Director of Thanh Xuan branch of Maritime Bank (MSB), was arrested for allegedly defrauding 338 billion VND from 8 customers. Please ask, if the customer does not have any errors in the transaction for MSB staff to take advantage of and turn into fraud, when will the customer receive a refund of the money deposited at the bank?
Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam Dao Minh Tu responded to the problem at MSB Bank - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam Dao Minh Tu: The State Bank has received the report of MSB Bank. This incident was not discovered by the customer. Through controlling its operations, it was MSB Bank that discovered these risks and proactively sent the file to the Ministry of Public Security to investigate this incident from the beginning. October 10.
The investigation process of the Ministry of Public Security is being implemented urgently, determining whose responsibility as well as the errors are, MSP Bank's, Ms. Bui Thi Hoai Anh's individual or others'. related. To determine right, wrong and responsibility, we must wait for the results of the police investigation.
We believe that in this case, the investigating police agency will have full conclusions to determine responsibility. However, one principle is that the legitimate rights of customers are always protected. If the bank or Ms. Bui Thi Hoai Anh personally commits violations, they must be responsible for the customer's deposit.
Through this, we would like to say that in addition to the specific regulations that all parties, including banks as well as customers, must comply with, they also need to always pay attention to the deposit because there are also regulations of the Bank. The state requires commercial banks. Customers also need to have a mechanism to notify and control their deposit balance in their account as well as check their account, not just depositing savings and then withdrawing their savings, then we care. to that deposit. This is also a way for us to further enhance our customers' rights as well as protect confidential information during card use, account opening as well as transactions, money transfers, and transactions. payment to ensure the security of information and content, we have also repeatedly raised the issue and the media has also communicated very actively and fully.
Reporter Vu Duy Cuong (VTV Electronic Newspaper): This is not the first time an incident has occurred where bank employees took advantage of their position to appropriate money from depositors' savings. I would like to ask the State Bank if there is a gap in the bank's operational process and what solution is needed to protect depositors?
Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam Dao Minh Tu: Recently, there have been stories about money being lost in accounts, violations that could be due to individuals, groups or banks. However, if we say that the flaw is of a systemic nature, I affirm that it is not, but may only occur in some banks; Some organizations, units or transaction offices violate due to the management methods of those units or due to violations and negative actions of individuals and bank officials, and may also be due to their own negligence. There are even cases of colluding with bank officials to commit violations. These are some of the incidents that have taken place in recent times, but each incident has been learned by the State Bank from common experience and given instructions to overcome in a timely manner.
From the perspective of the mechanism and regulations of the State Bank, we also review them regularly. All regulations related to opening payment accounts, money transfer issues as well as savings issues of people and businesses have been fully regulated by the system of legal documents and have also been implemented. Clearly define the responsibilities of commercial banks in providing services related to the security of people's accounts and savings deposits as well as specific regulations on responsibilities to depositors or depositors. create an account.
Reporter Hoang Yen (Vietnam Financial Times): The Ministry of Planning and Investment is proposing to develop a Law on Industrial Parks and Economic Zones. I would like to ask what new content is expected in this law to create conditions for Vietnam to build large industrial parks to meet the requirements of supply chain development as well as green economic development according to current directions?
Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Do Thanh Trung answers issues surrounding the proposal to develop a Law on Industrial Parks and Economic Zones - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Do Thanh Trung: The Ministry of Planning and Investment is proposing to develop a law, the proposed name is the Law on Industrial Parks and Economic Zones. We have sent the Ministry of Justice for appraisal opinions, then will receive the Ministry of Justice's comments to complete the proposal for the development of this draft law.
At this step, the Ministry of Planning and Investment is proposing 6 groups of policies in the content of the law, to ensure how to promote the development of industrial parks and economic zones, meeting the requirements of industrialization and modernization. country today, but at the same time, it also meets new trends in the world such as green economy, digital economy, circular economy, green energy...
6 policy groups focus on support policies, specifically:
The first is a group of policies to support projects to realize industry linkages and industry clusters within the scope of industrial parks and economic zones. We have experience and have implemented a number of projects like this in some areas, but have not deployed them on a large scale.
The second group of policies is a group of policies to support types of industrial parks with high expertise, specialization, and specificity. For example, there are types of supporting industrial parks, specialized industrial parks, high-tech industrial parks, eco-industrial parks... These zones have specific characteristics and have superior policies, so they We must also have criteria and regulations to select secondary investments in these industrial parks, to ensure the targeted development of specialized industrial parks.
The third policy group is the policy group to develop modern, smart industrial parks and attract new investment fields such as digital economy, green economy, chips, semiconductors, materials industry, and innovation. innovation... At the same time, it must be associated with new trends in energy use, especially green energy and renewable energy in these areas.
The fourth group is the development of urban areas of complex nature, here are industrial parks associated with urban development and services. We take industry as the main goal, both creating jobs and promoting the development of industrialization, modernization, and economic restructuring. Urban and service areas are places that both provide value-added services and are a living place for experts and workers, creating social public services, for the community, and for businesses in urban areas. this industrial park.
Fifth are additional preferential policies and regulations related to taxes, fees, financial policies, capital... especially for businesses in the ecosystem operating in specialized industrial zones, to ensure businesses are encouraged to invest here and encourage the development of this industrial park.
Finally, through these policies, we aim to adjust, change, amend and supplement regulations related to administrative procedures. This is one of the measures that we have both tested and have new regulations to both create more favorable conditions for investors and businesses to invest in this area and also provide a place to draw lessons. and experience, to help with the larger problem of improving the business investment environment across the country.
Reporter of Ho Chi Minh City Law Newspaper: The Prime Minister requires that by March 31, the system of petroleum retail stores must issue electronic invoices to buyers or their operating licenses will be revoked. At the Government meeting this morning, gasoline retail stores nationwide issued 3% of invoices and completed it within 96,99 months instead of 3 years. This morning, the Prime Minister highly appreciated this result and considered it a lesson in executive direction. Could the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Industry and Trade tell us the results and lessons learned from this implementation?
Deputy Director General of the General Department of Taxation Dang Ngoc Minh - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
Deputy Director General of the General Department of Taxation Dang Ngoc Minh: After nearly 4 months, by April 2, nationwide, 4/15.931 stores had issued sales invoices to people. There are only 15.935 stores left in remote areas. According to the plan, next week the installation will be completed to reach 4% of stores issuing retail gasoline invoices in accordance with the Government's direction.
In the coming time, the General Department of Taxation will continue to coordinate with the Department of Industry and Trade as well as local departments and agencies to continue monitoring the activities of gas stations in issuing retail invoices.
Regarding lessons learned, first, with electronic invoices, we already have Tax Management Law No. 38, Decree on electronic invoices No. 123 as well as the guiding circular of the Ministry of Finance, the legal foundation. implemented from 2021, up to now all businesses and basic business households have implemented 100% electronic invoices. The tax agency also has a technology platform that stores 7,5 billion transactions of people and businesses from 2021 to present.
During the implementation process, it can be seen that petroleum is a commodity under special management by the State. Following the Government's direction in recent times, there have been 4 telegrams directing the entire system on this. The tax sector also advises the Ministry of Finance to issue documents directing the entire system of tax authorities as well as coordinate with local Departments of Industry and Trade to synchronously deploy 63 Tax Departments as well as 115 Tax Sub-Departments to closely monitor activities. of gas stations.
Second, we have a developed information technology infrastructure system along with the synchronous implementation of Project 06 chaired by the Ministry of Public Security, which has promoted digital transformation at petroleum businesses. We appreciate technology companies that have timely solutions to support petroleum businesses. Petroleum businesses have also been aware of the meaning of digital transformation, so they have invested appropriately in improving technology at gas stations.
We also appreciate the involvement of the entire political system and the support of the media and information system to raise consumer awareness so that consumers understand the need to issue invoices. Promote digital transformation at each enterprise.
This is also a condition for us to more closely manage petroleum products and create conditions to strengthen governance in the petroleum sector in general, combating commercial fraud in the petroleum business. With this experience, in the coming time, the tax industry will continue to advise and support the Government in strictly managing e-commerce and deploying electronic invoices and service activities.
Reporter Dinh Nhung (Mekong Asean Magazine): Recently, the State Bank had to restart treasury bill offering activities. So, please let the State Bank know about the forecasts for the upcoming exchange rate scenario as well as the operating orientation to ensure macroeconomic stability?
Deputy Governor of the State Bank Dao Minh Tu discussed the issue of exchange rate management in the coming time - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
Deputy Governor of the State Bank Dao Minh Tu: The exchange rate issue is extremely hot, there have been price increases recently. So what will the management direction be in the near future? In this part, I would like to report as follows: First of all, the exchange rate in 2023 will have exciting times and managing the exchange rate in 2023 will also be difficult at times because world policies have directly impacted the economy. our country's economy. Our country's economy has great openness in the field of import and export and many international capital transaction activities. In early 2024, in the first quarter, the exchange rate will also get hotter. This is one of the issues that the State Bank believes deserves attention and is managed centrally.
Regarding the main reason for the recent increase in exchange rates, firstly, as you know, the Fed has not given a specific time when it can loosen monetary policy or lower interest rates. That's why the value of the USD in recent days has increased very high; An increase in USD price will impact the price reduction of other countries in the world and in the region. Therefore, it has an impact on Vietnam's currency in the exchange rate relationship with the USD.
Second, Vietnam's policy of lowering interest rates can be said to be very strong in recent times. Therefore, there has been a difference in interest rates between Vietnamese Dong and USD in the interbank market, which continues to remain negative, meaning that Vietnamese interest rates are lower than USD interest rates in the interbank market. . That is also one of the pressures causing the USD to heat up.
Third, in the first 3 months of the year there was also a positive signal that imports were relatively active, so the demand for foreign currency for imports was also greater than in the previous period. There are also a number of other policies that can impact exchange rate policy.
However, it can be said that we see that the exchange rate is still guaranteed to maintain stability and still ensure an open foreign exchange market, ensuring the general foreign currency balance as well as meeting foreign demand. Legal currency for businesses and import and export needs. This is one of the great stability that we are still maintaining.
It can be said that the depreciation rate of the Vietnamese Dong compared to the USD compared to other countries is still low. In 2023, the price will depreciate about 2,9%, however up to now we are calculating that in the interbank market the exchange rate between Vietnam Dong and USD has also increased by about 2,6%. But compared to other large countries, such as China's Yuan also depreciated with the USD by about 1,4%; Thai Bath Dong is about 5,93%; Korean Won is about 3,88%; The Japanese Yen has also depreciated by 7,52%... It can be seen that large countries and large economies are also affected by the exchange rate of the USD due to the US's USD policy.
However, we still believe that the exchange rate is one of the factors related to macroeconomic management and is very important. Because exchange rates not only affect the value of money and the purchasing power of Vietnamese people, but also greatly affect our policies, especially macroeconomic stability as well as inflation control. , psychological issues related to the market and investor confidence.
Therefore, the State Bank always attaches great importance to exchange rate management as one of the most important and focused tasks. In the coming time, we will continue to operate under a very flexible mechanism, ensuring that our management can adjust the exchange rate to be consistent with the general trend and also ensure the set goals. In addition, it is about stability, ensuring harmony between the foreign currency status and always maintaining a positive status as well as ensuring foreign currency balance for the legitimate needs of the economy.
To do that, of course there must be tools. In addition to the general monetary policy management tool that we are implementing, there are also other factors that we hope to receive from the media. How to create confidence in the market and when necessary, the State Bank still has to intervene and thus still ensure stability.
I also hope that we will try our best to communicate so that businesses and people can always see that exchange rate management is a task that the Government is very interested in and that the Prime Minister operates very aggressively, and the State Bank also always uses measures. tool in a positive way to ensure the goal as well as the stability of the exchange rate in the coming time.
Reporter of Ho Chi Minh City Law Newspaper: Please tell the Ministry of Public Security about the progress of Phuc Son Group's investigation of the case?
Lieutenant General To An Xo, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Public Security
Lieutenant General To An Xo, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Public Security: Regarding the progress of the investigation of the Phuc Son Group incident, the Ministry of Public Security will continue to conduct the investigation according to the proposed plan. Currently, the investigation agency has recovered 55 billion VND and 1,6 million USD returned by the defendants. At the same time, many valuable assets of the related defendants were frozen and distrained.
Reporter Mai Thu (Youth Newspaper): Please ask the Ministry of Public Security: From the case of Mr. Dang Tat Thang, former Chairman of FLC Group and Bamboo Airways, there is information on his personal Facebook about Mr. Minh - Chairman of Him Lam Group being banned from leaving the country and the Ministry of Public Security. security has also been determined to be false. Please ask, how will this false information be handled when it has a negative impact on the stock market and there has been a sell-off of STB shares in the past 2 sessions.
It is known that Mr. Thang is in Australia. In case the individual provides false information abroad, what will be the next handling measures of the Ministry of Public Security?
In addition, please let the Ministry of Public Security know about the activities of criminals in cyberspace and how to handle this activity?
Lieutenant General To An Xo, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Public Security: False information will be governed by the Cyber Security Law, Criminal Law, Civil Law and other related laws in the spirit that all those who violate the law will be dealt with by law. There are no restricted areas, no exceptions.
Lessons learned from this case, firstly, it is necessary to promptly handle false information and malicious information. When false information appears, the relevant authorities must take immediate measures to handle it. , objected.
Second, coordinate with functional units to handle the matter according to the law and follow the correct procedures and regulations.
Third, we must strengthen propaganda and guide people and media workers to strictly comply with regulations.
Regarding sabotage in cyberspace and cybercrime, in the first quarter, sabotage activities of cybercriminals were very complicated, hostile forces engaged in opposition and political sabotage, Increased ideology, propaganda activities, distortions, and slander about the internal political situation, division and unity. Cyber criminals increase cyber attacks to steal information and commit fraud.
In the first quarter of 2024, the Ministry of Public Security detected more than 20 million warnings of cyber attack activities, an increase of 33% over the same period last year. In March alone, the Ministry of Public Security also detected more than 3 million warnings, an increase of 7% compared to February 6. Recently, the network systems of many agencies, organizations and businesses have been attacked by criminals, data stolen, interfaces changed, and administrative rights robbed. Even the Ministry of Public Security discovered dozens of gigabytes of data with confidential content stolen. Agencies, organizations, businesses, and units are heavily attacked by cybercriminals, not only in Vietnam but also in many countries around the world.
Regarding cybercrime, criminals taking advantage of cyberspace to organize gambling and gambling have also increased. In March, the Criminal Police Department prosecuted 3 cases involving 42 gamblers worth hundreds of billions of dong. Fraud and property appropriation online also occurred relatively large (252 cases), 605 subjects were arrested, and the amount of money appropriated by the victims was more than 377 billion VND.
From the above, the Ministry of Public Security requests units and businesses to strengthen security assurance work, this content was mentioned in the Government meeting. The Ministry of Public Security also wants people to participate in reporting crimes, not to believe, not to listen, and not to follow instructions over the phone or through services to be vigilant and avoid being scammed.
The Ministry of Public Security also asked for additional information: The investigation agency is conducting proceedings in the Xuyen Viet case, the Security Investigation Department - A09 has prosecuted the defendant, arrested the defendant for temporary detention of 3 defendants: ( 1) Mr. Tran Duy Dong, Deputy Director of the Department of Trade Promotion, Ministry of Industry and Trade on the charge of accepting bribes; (2) Mr. Dinh Tien Dung, Chief Accountant of Xuyen Viet Oil Company; (3) Mr. Nguyen Tan Long, Head of Sales Department of Xuyen Viet Oil Company; These 3 defendants are charged with two crimes: accepting bribes and giving bribes. This is the result of the investigation into the Xuyen Viet Oil case that reporters mentioned before.
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