At the 25-day session, deputies assessed the implementation of national socio-economic development and budgetary tasks in the past months, looked at the law-making process and the supervisory work, and decided on several key national issues.

At this session, deputies assessed the implementation of national socio-economic development and budgetary tasks in the past months, looked at the law-making process and the supervisory work, and decided on several key national issues.

Economic recovery on track
In his closing speech, Mr Trong acknowledged the all-out effort made by the government, businesses and people to place the economy on the right track for recovery following the global financial and economic turmoil.

As a result, economic growth in the first four months of 2010 almost doubled the figure a year earlier; budget revenue was higher than in the previous years; social welfare and people’s living conditions improved significantly; national defence and political stability were maintained, and foreign relations were expanded, helping elevating the country’s position regionally and internationally. 

However, Mr Trong pointed out weaknesses of the national economy, including unsteady growth, a high consumer price index, widening trade deficit, and a fall in foreign investment capital, which eventually affected the overall economic balance and foreign currency reserve. In addition, natural disasters and epidemics had a negative impact on business production and people’s daily lives, while the settlement of burning issues was slow going.

Mr Trong said the government should employ bold measures to overcome shortcomings and meet tasks entrusted to it by the National Assembly for 2010. Accordingly, Vietnam is set a make a faster economic recovery than in 2009, increase its macro-economic stability, improve growth quality, nip in the bud the return of high inflation, ensure social security and increase the efficiency of international cooperation.

Cabinet members’ responsibility
The NA questioned four ministers and heard Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung answer deputies’ queries on other issues of voter concern. Several relevant ministers also took the floor to clarify their responsibilities in working closely with designated ministries to settle burning issues.

The legislature asked the government to urge relevant ministries and agencies to keep their promises, and asked its legislative bodies and deputies’ delegations to increase supervision.

The NA Standing Committee was also required to select unanswered questions to be raised at its meetings between the legislative sessions.  

At this session, the National Assembly approved 10 bills and gave opinions on six others. It also approved a law-making programme for 2011 and finalised its legislation for the whole 12th tenure.

The NA asked the government, legislative bodies and relevant agencies to gather deputies’ opinions, finalise bills and submit them to the legislature at its following session to take place later this year.

North-South express railway line
The National Assembly did not approve a resolution on the Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City express railway line project and asked the government to further study, finalise and present it at the following session.

Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong said the legislature has shown a keen interest in this big investment project because of its significant impact on various areas.

With a high sense of responsibility, the NA weighed up the pros and cons of the project and decided to assign the government to continue studying it, taking into account overall transport development planning, said Mr Trong.  

The NA gave opinions on the overall master planning to develop the capital zone until 2030 and its visions for 2050, considering the expansion of its urban area and the preservation of cultural identity. It asked the government to gather deputies’ opinions and adjust the master planning.

The NA approved a resolution detailing the criteria for key national projects to be submitted to the NA for approval. Accordingly, projects capitalised at more than VND35 trillion, of which State capital makes up VND11 trillion upwards will be submitted to the legislature for consideration. Projects which have a great impact on the environment will be also put under the microscope at the legislature.

At the session, the NA also approved the government’s proposal to relieve Nguyen Thien Nhan of his post as Minister of Education and Training to enable him to focus on his duty as Deputy Prime Minister. Pham Vu Luan, Deputy Minister of Education and Training, was appointed as the new education minister.