Hanoi (VNA) – The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee discussed the draft Law on E-commerce and the allocation of public investment capital on September 22 as part of its ongoing 49th session.
Presenting the preliminary verification report on the draft law, Chairman of the NA’s Committee for Economic and Financial Affairs Phan Van Mai said improving the legal framework is crucial to better protecting consumers, preventing tax losses, and combatting counterfeit and low-quality goods traded online.
Most committee members agreed on the need to continue perfecting the legal framework on e-commerce. They underlined the importance of reviewing to fully institutionalise the Party's viewpoints, guidelines, tasks, and measures on reforming the lawmaking mindset, developing the private sector, and making breakthroughs in science – technology development, innovation and national digital transformation, particularly Resolutions 66, 68, and 57.
They stressed the need to clarify the scope of the law, as well as its position in the legal system to ensure consistency with existing regulations. They asked for the bill to be drafted in a way that reforms state management to avoid overlapping responsibilities, unnecessary administrative procedures, and additional costs for businesses; facilitates e-commerce; and protects the rights and legitimate interests of those involved in e-commerce.
It is also important to improve existing regulations or incorporate provisions to ensure national defence, security, and sovereignty in cyberspace, according to the verification report.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan said his ministry has worked with the committee to address management issues, strengthen measures against fraud on e-commerce platforms, and protect consumers. He affirmed that security-related factors will be further studied to ensure consistency with other laws.
He added that the draft will be revised to ease burdens on businesses while encouraging innovation and the application of technology.
NA Vice Chairman Vu Hong Thanh stressed the need to refine provisions on e-contracts and stakeholder responsibilities, along with specific and feasible rules for different types of e-commerce. The law, he said, should facilitate administrative reform, reduce compliance costs, protect legitimate interests, and ensure safety and security for online commerce.
Public investment capital allocation
The NA Standing Committee also considered the allocation of additional central budget revenues from 2022 and adjustments to the 2025 budget.
Under the Government’s proposal, 1.926 trillion VND (72.9 million USD) from additional 2022 revenues will be allocated to Lam Dong province for the Bao Loc – Lien Khuong expressway project. Meanwhile, 723 billion VND originally assigned to the ministries of finance and construction, but no longer needed, will be reallocated to Quang Ngai (150 billion VND) and Lam Dong (573 billion VND).
The Government also proposed reducing 3.27 trillion VND from the 2025 domestic central budget for nine ministries, central agencies, and three localities to be reassigned to three central agencies and 13 localities. In addition, over 703 billion VND of unused foreign-sourced funds for the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will be redistributed to Tuyen Quang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Tay Ninh.
Adjustments to central budget allocations to some other ministries, agencies, and localities were also proposed.
Mai said the committee agreed with the Government’s proposal to allocate 1.926 trillion VND for Lam Dong’s expressway project (Phase 1) under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.
Concluding the session, NA Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Hai said the NA Standing Committee supports the Government’s proposals on capital allocation and adjustments. He requested appropriate budget distribution in line with project progress and disbursement capacity while avoiding repeated reallocations.
He urged stronger measures to accelerate disbursement, ensure effective and transparent use of funds, and prevent wastefulness and corruption./.
