Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has stressed the need for the Government to immediately issue a resolution to address problems arising during the implementation of Decree No. 46/2026/ND-CP, which provides detailed regulations guiding the enforcement of the Law on Food Safety.
PM Chinh made the instruction while concluding the Government’s monthly regular meeting on February 4, which was online connected with all provinces and centrally-run cities.
Cabinet members noted that several serious food safety incidents have occurred recently, causing severe consequences. In response, ministries and agencies drafted and submitted Decree 46, introducing stricter inspection procedures for imported food products.
However, the guidance for implementing the decree was not issued in a timely and specific manner. As a result, difficulties emerged in applying new regulations on state inspections for certain imported agricultural products and fresh food items during the first days of enforcement.
Immediately after the situation occurred, the PM directed Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long to chair meetings with relevant ministries and agencies to remove obstacles, while issuing an urgent dispatch calling for swift measures to resolve difficulties in the implementation.
To date, bottlenecks in state inspection procedures at several border gates have largely been addressed, helping ensure customs clearance for imported fresh agricultural and food products.
At the meeting, PM Chinh instructed Deputy PM Long to continue working with ministries and agencies to finalise and submit a government resolution, expected to be issued later on February 4, to settle issues arising in the enforcement of Decree 46.
At the meeting, the Government also reviewed the socio-economic situation in January, public investment disbursement, the implementation of national target programmes, and key priorities for February and the coming period.
The meeting noted that since the beginning of 2026, the Government and the PM have directed the vigorous implementation of resolutions and conclusions of the Party Central Committee, the Politburo and the National Assembly, alongside major tasks for socio-economic development.
As a result, the socio-economic situation in January continued to show positive momentum, with achievements recorded across sectors. Macroeconomic stability was maintained, inflation remained under control, and major balances were ensured.
The consumer price index rose 2.6%, while the monetary market and exchange rates were basically stable. Public debt, Government debt and national external debt remained below prescribed limits.
State budget revenue in January reached 348.3 trillion VND (13.4 billion USD), up 13.1% year-on-year. Total import-export turnover stood at 88 billion USD, up 38.9%, with a trade deficit of over 1.75 billion USD. Public investment disbursement in January was estimated at 3.4% of the annual plan, higher than the same period last year. Newly registered foreign direct investment reached nearly 1.5 billion USD, up 15.7%, while realised FDI was estimated at 1.68 billion USD, up 11.3%.
Nearly 48,700 enterprises entered or re-entered the market in January, an increase of 45.6%, while more than 110,000 new household businesses were established, up nearly 222%.
The PM requested ministries, sectors and localities to continue prioritising macroeconomic stability, inflation control and growth promotion, while accelerating public investment disbursement from the start of the year and speeding up major national projects.
He also called for stronger market management, strict handling of smuggling and trade fraud, ensuring adequate supply of electricity and essential goods, and promoting sustainable development of the real estate market.
The Government leader urged continued efforts to remove bottlenecks for production and business, strengthen social security, maintain national defence and security, expand external relations and international integration, and enhance communications to build social consensus./.
