National Assembly Standing Committee members concluded their 22nd session in Hanoi on October 15, with a range of issues high on the agenda.

They commented on the draft amended 1992 Constitution, the amendments and supplements to some articles of the Law on Vietnam People’s Army Officers, the draft revised Law on People’s Public Security and plans on issuing additional Government bonds for the 2014-2016 period.

Lawmakers reached consensus on the agenda for the legislature’s upcoming sixth session and offered feedback on the 2013 socio-economic development plan and State budget estimate, the 2011-2015 socio-economic development plan, and allocation of the State budget for 2014.

They reviewed how the economic restructuring master plan and the 2011-2013 national target programme have panned out.

In the current domestic and global economic turmoil, the country has basically fulfilled this year’s goal of strengthening macro-economic stability, curbing inflation and achieving higher growth than 2012 while ensuring social welfare for all. However, the committee members noted that challenges still lie ahead as economic competitiveness remains weak.

High on the agenda were also the settlement of the National Oil and Gas Group’s 2012 earnings, the admission to the Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment and Cape Town Protocol on Matters Specific to Aircraft Equipment, and the signing of the Convention for the Prevention of Torture.

Lawmakers also debated the establishment of an additional professional branch under the State Audit Office, the 2013-2015 allocation of investment for its working offices and more priorities to its staff.-VNA