Truong Tan Sang, Politburo member and permanent member of the Party Central Committee (PCC)’s Secretariat presented a report on the Party Central Committee’s leadership and guidance during the 10th tenure at the opening session of the 11th National Party Congress in Hanoi on Jan. 12.

Sang highlighted progress and shortcomings of the Committee, Politburo and Secretariat in executing the 10th Party Congress Resolution.

He said the committee has selected the “right and strategic issues” to focus upon in national socio-economic development and laid out proper policies and measures to resolve existing issues. He cited examples of adopting a resolution that included major policies to boost Vietnam’s economy in a fast and sustainable way after the country became a World Trade Organisation member and a resolution on Vietnam’s Maritime Strategy until 2020.

The committtee also contributed ideas to major projects, including the construction of a nuclear power plant, the Lai Chau Hydro Power Plant and the expansion of Hanoi before they were submitted to the National Assembly.

He also spoke about what the committee had achieved in increasing the Party’s leadership capacity and working efficiency of Party and State agencies.

Sang, however, said some “important and pressing problems” pointed out at the last congress had not been resolved, for example, enhancing the economy’s competitiveness, increasing State-owned enterprises’ working efficiency, issues on land management, Party discipline and social evils.

Regarding work done by the Politburo, Sang said recommendations to sustain the macroeconomy, ensure social security and maintain positive economic growth amidst global challenges had all made positive contributions.

In terms of external relations, the Politburo had offered guidance to uplift bilateral and multilateral relations, build strategic ties with neighbouring countries and implement trade pacts with African and Middle Eastern countries, he said.

Yet, there remained weaknesses in socio-economic management, resulting in a fast increase of foreign debt, high risk of re-inflation and haphazard investment, Sang said.

In addition, the effort to boost economic growth on a par with implementing social justice has not paid off and the country still reported an increasing income gap, high rates of near-poverty and poverty relapse and growing threats of environmental pollution, he said./.