Hanoi: Seminar on reforming State monopoly in network industries hinh anh 1At the event (Source: VNA)
 
Hanoi (VNA) – The Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM) and the Australia-Vietnam Economic Reform (Aus4Reform) Programme held a scientific seminar in Hanoi on July 6 on reforming State monopoly in network industries.

The event aims to help the Vietnamese Government achieve its goals of improving the business climate and shifting to a better market economy, bringing higher, more comprehensive, and better quality growth.

CIEM Director Nguyen Dinh Cung said the programme affords scientists, experts, managers, and policymakers along with the business circle a chance to present opinions on the field and suggest measures to continue the process of reform towards a healthy and fair business environment and improving Vietnam’s competitiveness.

Participants suggested restructuring the economy in tandem with stepping up the reform of State-owned enterprises and narrowing the fields of State monopoly.

The power sector should ensure independence among manufacturing, transmission, distribution, and free price negotiations with customers; publicise their electricity price structure; and launch an independent supervisory agency for the sector.

Experts proposed continuing to restructure the Vietnam Railway Corporation, attracting private investment in railway services, and establishing an independent supervisory body.

Regarding aviation, they called for ensuring airlines’ fair and equal access to airport infrastructure at reasonable costs, issuing a mechanism to manage airport management units, and reducing the Airport Corporation of Vietnam’s monopoly over airports.

In the telecommunication sector, participants underscored the need to drastically equitise State-owned enterprises, especially the Vietnam Post and Telecommunication Group and MobiFone Corporation, while building a system to safeguard against possible monopolies.

The Australia-Vietnam Economic Reform (Aus4Reform) Programme is expected to benefit at least 1 million private firms by 2020, contributing to increasing the number of female-led enterprises, while also facilitating Australian investment in Vietnam thanks to a more competitive and transparent business environment.-VNA
VNA