Simplification of business conditions remains limited: conference

Speaking at the event, VCCI Chairman Vu Tien Loc said that businesses have only seen a few points in the framework adjusted, rather than the complete abolishment of the bottlenecks, adding that this causes a lot of anxiety for businesses. 

According to reports from the VCCI, about 1,000 legal documents are issued annually, with about 50% related to businesses. 

There are around 10-20 laws adopted by the National Assembly and 200 decrees and decisions issued by the Prime Minister each year. The remaining stipulations are circulars issued by various ministries and ministry-level agencies. 

Loc said that over the past two years, there has been a clear trend of economic institutions becoming increasingly oriented towards the market economy, adding that business barriers and excessive State intervention in the market have gradually been removed. 

The Government has asserted its views on market economy institutions, but the translation of these views into specific legal regulations is still restricted, Loc stressed. 

However, the situation showed positive changes in the first half of 2018, with many legal documents issued to remove difficulties for enterprises, especially decree-level documents. 

Dau Anh Tuan, head of VCCI’s legal department, highlighted efforts made by the Government and relevant agencies in the first six month of the year to cut down business conditions, saying that they helped remove barriers facing enterprises’ activities. 

He also pointed out results in administrative reform, which contributed to reducing the burden of State administrative management. 

The transparency of court judgments in business disputes has helped promote fair and credible competition that is protected by the justice system. 

For examples, there are new decrees on business conditions in areas under the management of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, in particular Decree No.87/2018/ND-CP on gas business, and Decree No.109/2010/ND-CP on rice exports, Tuan said. 

Legal provisions on the quality of products and goods, and technical standards are also the focus of the Government's business law reform in line with the market economy, he noted. 

At the beginning of 2018, a number of regulations related to quality control of commodities were also issued that will have a great impact on businesses, Tuan said.

Decree No.15/2018/ND-CP on food safety is truly revolutionary as it brings great benefits to food firms that are struggling with procedures concerning food safety, he noted. 

At the conference, VCCI representatives suggested enhancing the business community’s consultation in legal review work, promoting supervision mechanisms, and expanding proposals in adjustment schemes of business-related laws set out by ministries.