At the seventh session of the 12^th NA legislature, more than 190 questions were raised by NA deputies, including 18 questions raised for the Prime Ministers and Deputy Prime Ministers. The questions focused on measures to stabilise the macro-economy, relations between economic development and social affairs, the management, protection and exploitation of natural resources and the environment; the Hanoi-HCM City express railway project, Hanoi’s zoning plan and the Government’s guidance and management.

How to facilitate foreign investment

In order to clarify the decision of some localities to allow foreign businesses to rent a large area of land in sensitive areas such as protected forests and forests for special purposes, Deputy PM Hung asked all localities to increase their control and raise their management responsibility. He also underlined the need to revamp institutions and policies and decentralized administration.

The Prime Minister asked all localities to temporarily stop granting investment permits to foreign investors and renting land until all related issues are deal with properly.

Mr Hung also said it is essential to call for more investment in advanced technology for industrial production, and to ensure people’s lives by developing agriculture and forestry along with finding outlets for consumer products.

Long-term vision for the Hanoi-HCM express railway project

Deputy PM Hung said that it will take years to develop a complete railway system, therefore, it is necessary to create a long-term plan to avoid wastefulness in the construction process and meet the national economy’s transportation needs.

The express railway aims to facilitate travel, reduce road accidents and offer new options for a safe, convenient and environmentally friendly means of transportation.

The project will be carried out into different periods to ensure sufficient capital.

Regarding Hanoi’s zoning plan, Mr Hung said that the Hanoi Party Committee, the Hanoi Municipal People’s Committee, scientists, experts and NA deputies have given their opinions on the zoning plan.

At the NA session on June 15, the Minister of Construction on behalf of the Government will make a supplementary report on the opinion of people and NA deputies about this plan.

The Government and PM’s responsibility for power shortages

Deputy PM Hung admitted that power shortages and rolling blackouts is the responsibility of the Government and the Prime Minister including the Electricity of Vietnam (EVN). However, this is attributed to objective causes. 34 percent of power is generated by hydro-electricity power plants so there are water shortages in dry seasons. In addition, poor management of power use in offices and households, and ineffective technological renovation are contributing factors to power shortages.

The Government and Prime Minister have made a great effort to raise investment from the State, foreign investors and all domestic economic sectors to restructure the electricity sector and gradually make the electricity supply adequate for the market demand. In addition, the Government is determined to save electricity because it is considered fuel for production.

Equitising State-owned enterprises

Answering deputy Pham Thi Loan’s question on the equitisation of State–owned enterprises, deputy Prime Minister Hung said the slow equitisation of State-owned enterprises, corporations and groups is following the Government’s guidelines. Since 2008 the global economy has faced difficulties so it should be careful to choose strategic businesses to purchase shares. The domestic economic situation has made equitisation slower than expected, therefore, the target to equitise all State-owned enterprises by July 1 cannot be reached.

However, equitisation is being accelerated. Several one-member limited companies will be transferred into limited companies which will operate according to the Enterprise Law. Other equitised corporations and groups will be run according to the Government’s decrees.

Financial and monetary policies in line with real economic conditions

In recent times, the Government has both tightened and loosened financial and monetary policies and bank interest rates, which has posed a number of difficulties for businesses and made the country’s economy develop unsustainably. The country is likely to face an import surplus, an imbalance in foreign currencies, inflation and State Budget overspending.

To deal with this issue, Mr Hung said that in both the short-term and long-term, the Government will focus on stabilizing the macroeconomy, promoting economic growth, and maintaining national defence, security and social order.

Financial and monetary policies must be in line with real conditions. Policies in a period of inflation will be different from those in recession, stable, recovery and growth periods.

Similarly, bank interest rates should be adjusted according to real situation. When the world economy fell into recession in 2008, directly affecting the domestic economy, the Government decided to increase interest rates to mobilize funds from citizens to support business production and restore the economy. Now the domestic economy is rebounding and interest rates are gradually declining.

Answering Deputy Dang Nhu Loi’s question on managing the estimated State budget, Mr Hung said that the Government had to consider carefully before proposing estimates based on real economic situations at home and abroad, then submit them to the National Assembly.

Inquiries showed high responsibility

NA chairman Nguyen Phu Trong said two-day inquiries showed the frankness, seriousness and responsibility of Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung and four other ministers. Issues raised at the inquires were hot and of public concern, such as price management, financial, monetary and banking policies, forestry and agricultural land management, a Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City express railway project, how to help farmers earn a 30 percent profit for growing rice, and the management of festivals, and online games. The atmosphere at the Q&A sessions was democratic and essence.

Mr Trong reported that deputies attended Q & A sessions reached 94 percent of total deputies. Government members and leaders enthusiastically took part in the sessions which also attracted the participation of senior revolutionary veterans and representatives of People’s Councils from 12 provinces and cities.

Statistics showed that around 1,687 opinions and petitions from voters all over the country were sent to Q&A sessions and 126 deputies registered to ask questions.