Government convenes March meeting

PM Dung gave an overall evaluation of the first-quarter performance this year, saying that socio-economic situation has recorded positive developments, creating a stimulus for better results to be achieved in the following quarters.

According the Ministry of Planning and Investment's report, the consumer price index (CPI) in March was the lowest compared with the same period of many past years and the gross domestic product (GDP) rose higher than the same period of the two previous years. Positive results were obtained in all areas.

Government members agreed with the report and stated shortcomings should be fixed, particularly in production, trade, aquaculture, food price declines and real estate market.

Concluding the meeting, PM Dung urged ministries, agencies and localities to thoroughly grasp the Government's directions to fulfill effectively their assigned tasks.

He asked for further capital for key projects, particularly No.1 and No.14 National Highways and stressed the importance of maintaining macro-economy stability, monitoring market prices and repeating Ho Chi Minh City's price stabilization model.

Further efforts should be intensified to ease difficulties in production and trade, improve the investment environment and attract further investment in hi-tech and clean technologies, said PM Dung.

He asked relevant agencies to enhance the expansion of local and international markets and boost negotiations on free trade agreements with partners in order to promote trade and investment exchanges.

He required higher resolve in restructuring public investment, banks and enterprises while focusing on agricultural reorganization to ensure sustainable development and implement effectively new-style rural area construction programme.

PM Dung requested for further administrative reforms, safer transportation, fewer traffic accidents and crimes.He highlighted the requirements for ensuring social welfare, improving vocational training and job creation in rural areas, as well as measures to reduce poverty fast and sustainably.

PM Dung asked the Ministry of Health to enhance TB prevention and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to develop a specific plan on organizing the 2019 Asian Games and submit to the Government leader within one week for close directions.

In addition, the Ministries of Planning and Planning, Finance and other relevant agencies were requested to address pressing issues in building flood-resilient homes and suspension bridges while improving their communications to create social consensus to realise the set socio-economic targets.

(Source: News.chinhphu.vn)