Mr Dung unveiled the three major tasks of the government in 2007 at a two-day State budget conference which concluded in Hanoi on January 9.

Among those tasks, Mr Dung said administrative reform is expected to create a breakthrough in socio-economic development with the aim of raising GDP growth rate, consolidating people's trust in the Party's leadership and combating corruption.  

The PM said that the country obtained encouraging achievements in 2006, including a GDP growth rate of nearly 8.2 percent, foreign direct investment of US$10.2 billion, export earnings of US$40 billion, reduction of the poverty rate among households to 19 percent and generation of 1.5 million jobs.

He urged ministries, sectors and local authorities to quickly implement their production and business schemes while devising action plans for this year. He asked the Ministry of Trade to coordinate with other ministries and sectors to stabilise market prices and assure supply-and-demand balances. He also called for greater efforts to develop agricultural and rural economies in order to improve farmers’ living conditions.

The PM also asked ministries to address social issues such as rising traffic accidents, health care, education and training, environmental protection and poverty reduction.  

Minister of Planning and Investment Vo Hong Phuc proposed measures to meet economic development targets, underlying the need to complete the institutions of a market economy, encourage development of all economic sectors and improve the business climate.