Members of the NA Standing Committee today discussed the socio-economic development plan for the remaining three quarters of this year.
HA NOI –
Accordingly, Minister of Planning and Investment Bui Quang Vinh proposed controlling inflation and stabilising the macro-economy, settling barriers to boost production and trading activities as well as improving the quality of human resources.
In terms of inflation and the macro-economy, he said it is necessary to strictly manage Government and public loans and offer financial support to small- and medium-sized enterprises and the processing industry while delaying loans to those enjoying good performances in this difficult period.
Regarding the removal of barriers, according to Vinh, the Government plans to keep decreasing interest rates and boost consumption to reduce enterprise inventories.
He added the Government has drawn up a development plan for human resources based on the demand of specific industries.
Statistics from the Ministry of Planning and Investment showed the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the first quarter reached 4 per cent, lower than the targeted 6-6.5 per cent. The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) in the first quarter increased by 4 per cent, the lowest growth in comparison with the same period of the past years, the main reasons including high input expenses and decreasing consumption.
Minister of Finance Vuong Dinh Hue said State Budget income in the first quarter reached nearly VND173 trillion (US$8.3 billion), equivalent to 23.3 per cent of estimates, in which revenues from export-import activities remained very low. – VNS