Government conference sets socio-economic tasks for next year

Cabinet members met in Hanoi with provincial and municipal leaders from throughout the country on December 22 to implement the National Assembly (NA) resolution on 2012 tasks for socio-economic development and the State budget.

Despite challenges and difficulties in 2011, Vietnam has made great strides in curbing inflation, stabilizing the macroeconomy and ensuring social welfare, thanks to the Government’s strict guidance and great efforts by the business community, as well as the entire society.

GDP growth in 2011 is estimated at nearly 6 percent and CPI hit 18 percent, in which CPI in December has risen by 0.53 percent. Key economic sectors continue to recover and maintain their growth with exports increasing 25 percent and the trade deficit dropping to 10.4 percent. The State budget’s revenue soared 13.4 percent compared to estimates and over-budget spending fell to 4.9 percent.

Greater attention has been paid to implementing social policies, helping reduce the household poverty rate by 2 percent and create more than 1.6 million jobs.  Remarkable progress has been seen in other areas such as education and training, science and technology, health care, culture and information, sports, administrative reform and corruption prevention and control.

In his speech at the meeting, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung asked the delegates to contribute their opinions on the 2011 socio-economic targets, both those achieved and those not yet accomplished. He also underscored the need to seek effective measures to deal with weaknesses in the Government’s management and guidance over the past year.

Continuing to restructure the national economy, enhance administrative reform, ensure political security and social safety,and protect sovereignty and national territorial integrity are also among the key socio-economic tasks for next year, Mr Dung noted.

The meeting will close on December 23.

(VOVNEWS)