Seeing that 2010 will be another difficult year for the country’s socio-economic development, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said the Government has agreed to continue stimulus policies to assist the economic recovery.

Presenting an explanation report at the sixth session of the 12th National Assembly on Nov. 19, PM Dung clarified solutions to recover economic growth, prevent the return of high inflation, and deal with urgent social issues.

The PM said the Government will scrutinise the implementation of the policies in 2009 in order to issue concrete assistance policies in December for implementation in 2010.

PM Dung said Vietnam targets recording a higher growth rate than in 2009 as well as obtaining a GDP growth rate of 6.5 percent in 2010 and between 7-8 percent in the following years.

To do this, he said, the country should continue stimulus policies in a proper manner in order to give impetus to business and the whole economy. Stimulus should focus on restructuring the economy, along with improving productivity, product quality, efficiency and competitiveness. It should also target maintaining macro-economic stability and better implementing social security policy.

Answering NA deputies’ queries on anti-corruption efforts, the government leader asserted that “the Government is earnestly addressing all negative phenomena due to corruption”, adding that previous efforts have yielded positive results.

The PM attributed the results to the efforts of the whole political system and the close supervision by the Central Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption in dealing with corruption cases and improving anti-corruption regulations.

However, PM Dung assessed that corruption is still serious. Enforcement has driven would-be offenders to come up with ever more complicated and cunning schemes, rendering some anti-corruption solutions ineffective. Also, transparency in taxation, investment and finance remains low.

So, the PM stressed the need to continue synchronous solutions in line with the laws and the Party and State’s policies in the fight against corruption.

Answering queries on alleged corruption cases involving foreign elements, PM Dung said Vietnam always pays attention to such cases, and requires its authorised agencies to coordinate with foreign agencies throughout the investigative process in accordance with Vietnamese law.

Also at the session, PM Dung expanded on other issues related to plans for hydro-electricity plants, poverty reduction, the development of key economic zones and afforestation./.