Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh of the 2016-2021 term presents a report on the organizational structure of the Government for the 2021-2026 term. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

On Friday, 470 deputies, or more than 94%, voted for a Resolution on the organizational structure of the Government for the 2021-2026 term.

Undeniable results

Despite a ravaging 4th wave of COVID-19, Vietnam’s GDP increased 5.64%, CPI rose 1.47%, and budget revenue grew 58.3% in the first half of this year. Hoang Van Cuong, a deputy for Hanoi, said the GDP growth rate is impressive and Vietnam’s economic growth index is rising despite the current COVID-19 surge. He said that if Vietnam manages to contain the pandemic soon, the economic growth momentum will be maintained. 

Tran Quoc Tuan, a deputy representing Tra Vinh province, praised the government’s performance in the first half of the year and said that, given the impact of COVID-19, what we have achieved is commendable. He said the 5.64% growth rate is quite high compared to other countries  in the region. A total social investment increase of 7.2% proves that the economy is growing, not shrinking. There may be difficulties ahead, but right now investment capital is flowing from other countries to Vietnam, Mr.Tuan said.

Chairman of the National Assembly’s Economic Committee Vu Hong Thanh applauded the government while presenting the Committee’s report on implementation of the socio-economic development plan for the first six months of 2021.

“The Economic Committee highly appreciates the government’s efforts and solutions to remove difficulties, support individuals and businesses affected by the pandemic, recover and develop the economy, and ensure social security,” Mr. Thanh said. 

Deputy Hoang Van Cuong of Hanoi suggested that in the last half of the year the government use its financial and fiscal tools more boldly. Deputy Don Tuan Phong of An Giang province supported the Government's directive on selective and focused investment.

Deputy Nguyen Ngoc Bao, Vice Chairman of the Economic Committee, said, “The banking system needs to effectively manage the flow of capital into production and business, promote a sustainable economy, and help businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

A stable government will focus resources on maintaining and revitalizing small and micro enterprises and prepare for the post-COVID-19 recovery. Deputy Luong Quoc Doanh of An Giang province, said, “Vocational training must be provided for farmers to shift the workforce away from agriculture and give better farming techniques and skills to those who remain in agriculture. If farmers do not change, it will be difficult to develop agriculture and build new rural areas. Farmers are the key.”

The 4^th wave of COVID-19 dominated by the Delta variant has taken a heavy toll on Vietnam’s southern economic region, which includes Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta. The Government and the Prime Minister are doing their utmost to contain the pandemic, repeating the mantra “people's health and lives first.” The government apparatus must be kept stable in order to make an all-out effort to contain COVID-19 and restore production and businesses.