The government of Vietnam held the regular meeting, announcing that the economy grew roughly 8 per cent on year in the first five months, and is set to increase 9 per cent in the second half, state media said Thursday.
To maintain the set 8.5 per cent GDP growth rate this year, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung asked all ministries and sectors to adopt measures to curb the growing consumer price index, tighten control over speculation of petroleum products and boost exports to narrow the trade deficit in the remaining six months.
In five months as a WTO member, Vietnam’s trade deficit was estimated to have risen to $3.3 billion, up 139 per cent on-year, as imports continue growing faster than exports, according to the Government’s General Statistics Office (GSO).
PM Dung requested ministries, sectors and localities to double check progress of key construction works, particularly oil refinery projects and power works, to speed up capital disbursement.
Government officials discussed measures to address key challenges including spreading bird flu, growing traffic accidents and fiber-optic cable theft. The government leader asked for firm action to impede the spread of bird flu, which reportedly reemerged in 15 provinces.
To boost agricultural production and cultivation, in compensation for reduced rice output of previous crops, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development are ordered to address shortcomings in import procedures regarding fertilizer imports from China.
The Transport Ministry proposed an ambitious transport safety program to reduce the alarming death toll of traffic accidents, which kill about 40 a month.
Government officials also discussed a draft bill on HIV/AIDS prevention and fighting, and the decree on retirement and pension.
In the first five months, industrial production value rose 16.8 per cent; registered foreign investment reached $4.3 billion, up 17.8 per cent on year; export revenue was estimated at over $18 billion, up 18.4 per cent; while imports hit over $21 billion, up 26,9 per cent on year. CPI increased 4.3 per cent from December 2006. (Local sources)
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