The ninth session of the 12th National Assembly (NA) opened in the capital city of Hanoi on March 21.

In his opening remarks, NA Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong stressed the importance of the final session of the 12 th NA, saying that it is a chance for the parliament and government to consider what have been done and what yet to be done, as well as outstanding difficulties and shortcomings.

Lessons and experiences will be drawn up in order to put forth petitions and proposals to improve the operation efficiency of key State institutions, the leader said.

Following the opening, NA deputies heard a supplementary report on the country’s socio-economic performances in 2010 and the deployment of the 2011 socio-economic development plan, which was presented by Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung.

According to the report, the nation achieved or over-fulfilled 16 out of the total 21 targets set in the 2010 socio-economic development plan, including economic growth, export turnover growth, social development investment, job placement, and the settlement of polluting establishments.

However, the report also pointed to the sharp increase in consumer price index (CPI) in the fourth quarter of 2010, making the annual CPI rise much higher than the prediction.

Deputy PM Hung affirmed that curbing inflation, stabilising the macro economy and ensuring social security towards sustainable development will continue to be major tasks in implementing the 2011 socio-economic development plan.

The NA also heard reports reviewing and assessing the accomplishments during the 2007-2011 term of the 12th NA, the State President, the Government, the Prime Minister, the Chief Judge of the Supreme People’s Court, and the Head of the Supreme People’s Procuracy.

Regarding law building, the eight-day session is expected to consider and pass four bills, including the Law on Independent Auditing, the Law on Human Trafficking Prevention, the Law on the Capital City, and amendments to the Civil Litigation Code./.