Deputies discuss socio-economic situation

They also reviewed the 2011-2015 period, from which they are developing and working on the plan for 2014 to 2015.

Most ideas valued the Government's efforts in monitoring the economy to reach the set targets of curbing the inflation, stabilising the macro-economy and ensuring social welfare.

In the first nine months of this year, important results in socio-economic development have been harvested. However, deputies also asked the Government to take effective solutions to this year's plan.

Deputy Tran Hoang Ngan from Ho Chi Minh City said that the ongoing global economic downturn had brought many opportunities for the economy while FDI attraction has been maintained, with some rises, and the country is expected to receive over US$11 billion in remittances in 2013. In addition, exports have increased by 15-16%/year and this year's import spending is forecast not to exceed US$1 billion.

Deputies also analysed the economy's weaknesses, including unsustainable economic stability and inflation, difficulties in balancing the budget, production and trade, as well as bad debts.

They stated the sluggish implementation of economic restructure, growth model shift, shortcomings in institutional reform, health care, culture and society, and failure in narrowing the rich-poor gap.

Deputy Tran Thi Quoc Khanh from Hanoi said that the Government's report on the socio-economic situation had not analysed shortcomings and pressing social issues. She urged the NA to further its oversight role.

Deputy Vo Thi Dung from Ho Chi Minh City shared the viewpoint with deputy Khanh, saying that the Government's report had not clarified how the rich-poor gap was and how to narrow it.

Regarding the Government's future plan, deputy Truong Trong Nghia from Ho Chi Minh City suggested a national council on restructuring the economy be stabilised with the participation of the Government, the NA and experts.

Also from Ho Chi Minh City, Deputy Tran Du Lich said that the future plan on economic restructure should be medium and long-term, particularly a plan for the 2014-2015 period.

Deputy Ngo Thi Minh from Quang Ninh province asked the Government to get NA deputies fully updated and informed about the public debt and specific measures to effectively manage the public debt.

Deputy Pham Xuan Thang from Hai Duong province asked whether the public debt, which is still within permissible limits, is safe, and required to be informed about specific criteria of the public debt's safety.

Many deputies suggested that the key task for the 2011-2015 socio-economic development plan should be to focus on stabilising the macro-economy and restructuring the economy.

(Source: Nhandannewspaperonline)