PM asks for increased social development investment

Hanoi (VNA) – The Prime Minister has assigned the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) to allocate 31 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) for social development investment this year.

Under the PM’s recent decision instructing eight ministries to realise socio-economic development targets for 2016, the MPI was urged to ensure a GDP growth rate of 6.7 percent and a consumer price index (CPI) increase of below 5 percent in 2016.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has been assigned with a forest coverage target of 41 percent while the Ministry of Industry and Trade must ensure an export growth rate of 10 percent and a trade deficit of under 5 percent.

As many as 24.5 beds per 10,000 people and 76 percent of population participating in health insurance are targets set for the Ministry of Health.

The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs must target a reduction of 1.3-1.5 percent in the poverty rate, an unemployment rate of below 4 percent in urban areas and trained workers accounting for 53 percent of total workforce.

Besides, the PM also urged all ministries, sectors and localities to do their best to fulfill other socio-economic objectives for 2016 in terms of information and communication, education and training, culture, sports, broadcasting and television.-VNA