According to Phan Duc Hieu, Deputy Head of the the Central Institute for Economic Management, Government Resolution No.02/ND-CP on key measures and tasks to improve the business environment and boost national competitiveness in 2021 is considered Resolution 02 of 2020 plus 4, with the inheritance and promotion of existing achievements and adding four new key contents in direction and administration.

Mr. Phan Duc Hieu

How do you assess the spirit of Government Resolution 02/ND-CP of 2021?

This year, we see that the Resolution 02 is very short– it only has three pages. However, the form cannot show the spirit of the Resolution and the Resolution 02 of 2021 is considered the Resolution 02 of 2020 plus 4.

Because Resolution 02 of 2019 has been drafted for 2019-2020, so far, all goals and contents have remained, but continued to promote the implementation of tasks that have not yet been completed in 2020.

The resolution focuses on four new key contents of the Government:

The first key content is that the handling of the problem is conducted in an interdisciplinary manner, rather than being handled in a scale or a sector. Businesses are managed by interdisciplinary agencies and many problems cannot be solved by a ministry or sector.

The second key content is afocus on digital transformation. If previously businesses did not participate in digital transformation, there are still opportunities, but now, if they do not implement changes, they will be eliminated. For example, currently, the digital document, digital invoice and digital commerce is applied, if businesses still use traditional platforms, they will not be able to connect and trade. So this matter must be completed.

The third key content is that the foundation to boost digital economic development is the promotion of digital government. This also creates a motivation for businesses to change. In addition, the Government implements digital transformation, businesses will have opportunities in providing services. This key content has high efficiency.

In the context of 2020 with the Covid-19 pandemic, the fourth key content of the Government is to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic to implementthe “dual goal”, so solutions have been provided to respond to the pandemic. The Government has also emphasized that institutional reform is still a key task to help businesses be more flexible in coping with production and business activities.

It can be said that the four key solutions of the Government in Resolution 02 are fundamental and in the long term, showthegreat determination and effort inthe Prime Minister’s statement .

In your opinion, what is the impact of the reduction in business conditions? 

Recently, when business conditions are cut, there wasconcern about the formality, but even if it is formal, it is still effective. Because many unclear business conditions have been abolished, helping to reduce many risks for businesses,and enhancing peace of mind in business operations. However, it can be said that this is the first phase. The reductionof many business conditions has a positive impact.

Resolution 02 and Resolution 68/NQ-CP on the Government's program on reduction and simplification of regulations related to business activities for 2020-2025 continues to control and enhance efficiency of business conditions. Resolution 68 not only requires the reductionand abolishment of regulations on business conditions but also requires reductions toall unnecessary business conditions.

Therefore, in the future, the reduction will no longer face a debate. I think that this is a great effort and a big step for the Government.

What difficulties will the reform process face, especially when the Government has required to identify the focal point for performance?

The current difficulty is that the Government assigns works for ministries and sectors, so the control of performance must be conducted effectively. However, in my opinion, this control has been implemented by the working team of the Prime Minister headed by Minister and Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung. If the working team performs drastically and directly works with each agency, ministry and sector and provides specific requirements on deadlines and quality, this will contribute up to 90% of the success of the Resolutions. If the urgency and supervision are not conducted, performance will be forgotten.

Regarding the assignment of the focal point for the performance, it is difficult to determine who will be the leading agency.

For example, the specialized inspection reform project is assigned to Customs as the focal point. This is a huge reform when creating consensus among ministries and sectors, avoiding overlaps for business activities.

However, many cases do not always reach such consensus. So in my opinion, when it is impossible to identify the leading agency, thereshouldbean independent agency to chair and advise the ministries and sectors for the most effective solution.

How do you assess the ability to achieve the goals set out in Resolution 01/NQ-CP and Resolution 02/NQ-CP of the Government this year?

There must bean ambitious goal, so we will have appropriate solutions. The setting of the goal will show the determination of ministries and sectors, I believe that the Government will complete the goal. Moreover, in 2020, the Government continuouslytookadditional measures to achieve the goal showing the implementation capability in 2021. For example, the Government issued Resolution 02 oninstitutional reform. In the middle of the year the Government continued to issue Resolution 68 with requirements on the stronger scope and level of reform.