Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has urged ministries, sectors and localities to speed up the restructuring of state-owned enterprises following the approved plan, determined to make clear progress in 2014.

While chairing the monthly cabinet meeting on February 28 in Hanoi, PM Dung said it is crucial to focus on stepping up business privatisation, while strengthening management and supervision over the state-owned sector.

Reviewing the country’s socio-economic performance during the first two months of this year, the PM said positive changes were seen in various fields. It is important for the country to continue working to fulfil the yearly tasks and targets for 2014, he said.

He also asked for quicker disbursement in capital for construction sourced by bonds, the budget and official development assistance (ODA) on a par with the close supervision of construction quality.

More support should be given to foreign-invested enterprises in the implementation of their projects. At the same time, ministries, sectors and localities should effectively apply measures to remove difficulties for businesses to boost production, he said.

PM Dung directed the State Bank of Vietnam to seek suitable solutions to boost credit growth, quickly injecting credit capital into the economy, improving access to capital for enterprises, especially those operating in prioritised sectors, thus fuelling the recovery and development of the economy.

At the same time, the PM also requested ministries, sectors and localities to continue ensuring the effective implementation of social welfare policies.

Regarding issues related to the over 100-year-old Long Bien bridge, PM Dung held that with its historical importance, the bridge should be preserved to keep its original features.

He also said it is necessary to restore and conduct maintenance on the bridge to exploit it in an effective manner. The building of a new bridge close by should be carefully calculated to ensure the most feasible plan.

According to a report by the Ministry of Planning and Investment, in the first two months of 2014, the country recorded a trade surplus with surges in exports as well as industrial and agricultural production values.

The disbursement of ODA and FDI capital continues to rise compared to the same period last year, while the service sector also saw good results, said the report, adding that the number of foreign arrivals to Vietnam also increased sharply.

A strong performance was also seen in social security, it said, noting that people nationwide celebrated the Lunar New Year festival in a safe and joyful manner.

Regarding specific measures to solve difficulties in business and production, many cabinet members proposed that the Government prioritise credit for the agricultural sector and rural areas, while intensifying investment promotion and expanding the export market, especially for key agricultural products.

According to Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat, ministries and authorised agencies should work more closely with the ministry to seek and broaden export markets for major agricultural products, especially rice.

At the same time, he also called for ministries, sectors and localities to keep a close eye on and strengthen coordination in the inspection and quarantine of poultry, strictly supervising the cross-border trade of livestock and fowl, and minimising the spread of epidemics across the border, especially in the northern region.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Ministers Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Hoang Trung Hai underscored the necessary improvement of the domestic business environment and the effective implementation of policies to attract foreign investment.

They asked the Ministry of Planning and Investment to coordinate with other ministries to find measures to assist new enterprises, while eradicating obstacles for BOT (build-operate-transfer) projects.

Mentioning ways to pick up business, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh said the promotion of production should be closely attached with the search for and forecast of markets. He held that it is necessary to pay special attention to the adjustment of agricultural product structure to suit the demand of markets.

Sharing his counterparts’ opinions, Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam added that more efforts should be made to speed up the reform of education and training.

During the meeting, participants also gave opinions on a report on the implementation of a resolution on the completion of the socialist-orientated market economy. They also discussed ways to strengthen the market mechanism in the global economic integration period.

They heard a report on tasks and solutions to better the business environment and enhance national competitiveness in the 2014-2015 period, as well as measures to settle debts for the Vietnam National Shipping Lines (Vinalines).

Cabinet members also tabled the revised draft Law on State Budget.-VNA