VGP – PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc expressed the pleasure to witness important and comprehensive achievements in economics, trade, investment, culture, environment, national defence, security, and diplomacy in the first half of 2019. 

Photo: VGP/Quang Hieu 

The Government chief made the point today at the video-teleconference to review socio-economic performance in H1 and figure out solutions for  the rest of the year. 

PM Phuc highlighted important diplomatic events especially the official signing of the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), the EU-Viet Nam Investment Promotion Agreement (EVIPA), the successful election to become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) with high votes, proper preparation for the U.S.-DPRK Summit, successful organization of the 16th UN Day of Vesak. These events presented the image of Viet Nam as a country of peace loving, friendship, cooperation, and responsibility. 

Since the reform, Viet Nam’s prestige and status have been affirmed and consolidated, the PM stressed. 

He went on to say that the Government had spared no effort to keep a close watch on the domestic economy; build growth scenarios and monthly and quarterly regulatory options; extricate business difficulties; convene a series of national conference on international integration; boost production and export; develop private sector; accelerate the administrative reform, and build e-Government. 

In addition, besides economic field, other issues on society, the environment, national defense, security, and diplomacy were paid due attention. 

In the first half, the macro-economy was stable, said PM Phuc. Inflation rate was put under control. GDP growth pace, budget collection, investment, trade, import and import were on the rise. 

However, the PM hoped that ministerial and local leaders would spend time  pointing out limitations, weaknesses, and challenges; seeking solutions.

First of all, the outspreading of African swine fever virus occurred complicatedly in 60 out of 63 provinces and cities. Over 2.82 million pigs were culled, accounting for 10% of the total number. Large-scale and prolonged heat wave affected paddy cultivation. Possible drought risks would cause a serious water shortage for plants and animals as well as serious forest fires.

PM Phuc also noticed the high inventory level of the processing and manufacturing sector at 16.1%. 

A large number of key projects on energy, transport, and infrastructure failed to meet schedule, seriously affecting energy security. 

He also stressed the declining overseas shipment of agricultural products  due to price drops. The Government chief requested all levels, enterprises, business groups, SOEs to meet with international integration requirements after Viet Nam signed the EVFTA./.