RESOLUTION

ON GOVERNMENT’S REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 2021

THE GOVERNMENT

Pursuant to the Law on Government Organization dated June 19, 2015 and Law on Amendments to the Law on Government Organization and Law on Local Government Organization dated November 22, 2019;

Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 138/2016/ND-CP dated October 01, 2016 on working regulation of the Government;

Based on discussions of governmental members and conclusion of the Prime Minister in the Government’s regular meeting of March 2021 on March 31, 2021,

HEREBY RESOLVES:

1. Regarding implementation of Resolution No. 01/NQ-CP; and socio - economic situation of March and the first 3 months of 2021

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Cultural, social and environmental affairs continue to receive much attention. Policies in relation to persons with meritorious service to revolutions, social security and sustainable poverty reduction are properly implemented, and people’s living standards are maintained, especially in remote and isolated areas and ethnic minority areas. The COVID-19 pandemic is under strict control with a focus on outbreak identification and elimination to prevent widespread infection. Healthcare for people and food safety are well ensured. Proper direction is given to administrative reform, inspection, handling of complaints and denunciations, corruption prevention and control, thrift practice and wastefulness combat. National defense and security are enhanced, national sovereignty is protected; and public order and social safety are preserved. Foreign affairs and international integration are carried out efficiently. Communications are enhanced. Ministries, central government authorities and local governments have actively studied and implemented the Resolution of the 13th National Communist Party Congress and Resolutions of the National Assembly and the Government on socio - economic development.

However, besides these accomplishments, the socio - economic situation of our country still faces many difficulties and challenges. While the COVID-19 pandemic is under control in Vietnam and around the world, it is progressing unpredictably and will continue to have large impact on global economy and the economies of other countries and our major partners, affecting the achievement of our socio - economic development targets and tasks, especially for trade, services, transport, tourism, etc. The number of enterprises suspending their operation and dissolved enterprises keeps increasing. Natural disasters, epidemics and climate change, especially drought and saltwater intrusion, are complicated. Information safety and cyber security encounter many problems. Crime and school violence are on the rise in some localities, etc.

For the upcoming period, the Government requests ministries and local governments to overcome difficulties and challenges and successfully meet the “dual targets” of vigorous COVID-19 prevention and control and socio - economic recovery and development so as to protect social security and people’s normal life. Pay attention to consistent and efficient adoption of solutions for business promotion; and timely assistance for enterprises and people affected by the pandemic, with a focus on the following matters:

- Ministries, central authorities and local governments shall direct immediate formulation and promulgation of action programs and working plans to implement the Resolution of the 13th National Communist Party Congress as well as conclusions and resolutions of the Communist Party and National Assembly. Ministries and central authorities shall accelerate the formulation, proposal and promulgation of documents and schemes; put an end to late proposal and promulgation of documents, schemes and guidelines.

- Ministries and local governments shall continue to give direction vigorously, be on full alert and not underestimate COVID-19; strictly and efficiently follow the “5K” requirements, properly manage medical quarantine, especially for persons entering Vietnam; and absolutely must not let the disease spread in community.

- The Ministry of Health shall focus on accelerating domestic COVID-19 vaccine research and development; concurrently, import COVID-19 vaccines according to the Government’s Resolution No. 21/NQ-CP dated February 26, 2021 and formulate plans for large-scale vaccination. Urgently cooperate with relevant ministries and central authorities in researching and promulgating the “vaccine passport” mechanism to facilitate business, investment and tourism; complete regulations on health insurance reimbursements for remote medical services. Continue to ensure workers, medications as well as medical equipment and materials; improve capacity and quality of grassroots healthcare and primary healthcare.

- The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall take charge and cooperate with ministries, central authorities and local governments in resolving business difficulties, especially for key projects; promote disbursement of public investment capital in general and ODA in particular. Finish appraising the feasibility study report of the national target program on socio - economic development in ethnic minority areas and mountainous areas for 2021-2025 and report on this matter to the Prime Minister within the second quarter of 2021. Proactively and promptly adopt solutions for attraction and utilization of capital flows.

- The State Bank of Vietnam shall take charge and cooperate with ministries and central authorities in continuing to adopt monetary policies in a proactive, flexible and efficient manner; control inflation, maintain large balances of the economy and promote business development. Keep the foreign exchange market stable. Further restructure credit institutions; take measures to address bad debts and prevent more bad debts from arising. Manage interest rates and loans as appropriate to macroeconomic balance, inflation and market development. Promote cashless payment.

- The Ministry of Finance shall take charge and cooperate with ministries, central authorities and local governments in tightening financial - budget discipline, and preventing revenue loss, price transfer and fraud or evasion of taxes. Strictly save funding for recurrent expenditures.

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- The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall take charge and cooperate with ministries, central authorities and local governments in improving productivity and ensuring producer’s rights, especially for seasonal agro products. Closely monitor weather conditions, and provide plans for water storage and operation of anti-drought works to support production and prevent epidemics in a timely and efficient manner. Continue to adopt EC recommendations consistently, vigorously and efficiently to lift the “yellow card” soon. Promote forest planting, protection and development. Take charge and cooperate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in urgently completing a forest stocktaking scheme according to directions from the Prime Minister and Resolution No. 118/NQ-CP dated August 10, 2020. Further direct planting of key climate-smart plants. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall complete and submit the investment guidelines for the national target program on new rural development for 2021 - 2025 to the Government, which will propose them to the National Assembly for approval.

- The Ministry of Transport shall focus on directing proper performance of key projects such as the first phase of the Long Thanh international airport project and projects on Trung Luong - My Thuan and My Thuan - Can Tho expressways; promptly put the Cat Linh - Ha Dong urban railway into operation; urgently complete procedures for commencement of constituent projects under PPP of projects on some eastern sections of the North - South expressway, Noi Bai airport, Tan Son Nhat, airport, etc.; accelerate key projects, especially projects on eastern sections of the North - South expressway; urgently put new works into safe and efficient operation. Cooperate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Public Security and Ministry of National Defense in considering reopening of commercial international flights. Cooperate with the Ministry of Public Security and local governments in enhancing inspection and supervision of strict compliance with regulations of law on traffic order in connection with requirements of COVID-19 prevention and control.

- The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall focus on urgently reviewing and reporting on amendments to the Land Law (expected to be proposed to the Central Committee of the Communist Party in October 2021). Strictly control waste sources; deploy efficient and sustainable waste treatment models. Continue to improve capacity and quality of forecasts and warnings, especially forecasts for long period of time; promptly forecast and warn about adverse and dangerous weather and hydrological phenomena for prevention, control and mitigation of natural disasters.

- The Ministry of Education and Training and ministries, central authorities and local governments shall continue to organize in-class teaching and learning activities as appropriate to the COVID-19 situation. Concurrently, improve online learning quality and ensure equality between all students. Carefully prepare for adoption of the new general education curricula and textbooks, especially for the second and sixth grades.

- The Ministry of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs shall take charge and cooperate with ministries, central authorities and local governments in assisting people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic; and production and daily living recovery for people suffering from storms and floods in the Central and severe weather phenomena in the North. Urgently formulate and propose guidelines for the Ordinance on incentives for people with meritorious services to revolutions to the Government. Complete and propose investment guidelines for the national target program on poverty reduction and sustainable social security for 2021 - 2025 to the National Assembly for approval. Adopt solutions for assuring the workforce for enterprises in a consistent manner, especially in economic zones, export-processing zones and industrial parks; and enhance assurance of occupational safety.

- The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall propose solutions for encouraging enterprises to provide domestic tourism services in connection with COVID-19 prevention and improve service quality. Properly prepare for SEA GAMES 31.

- The Ministry of Science and Technology shall take charge and cooperate with ministries and central authorities in developing the digitalized Vietnamese knowledge system and efficiently operating information portals for science and technology. Promote scientific and technological development, renovation and innovation; and high technology transfer and application. Improve state management of quality control, origin tracing and intellectual property; develop value chains and create close connections, especially for major manufacturing industries.

- The Ministry of National Defense shall proactively monitor the situation and promptly take response measures to protect national sovereignty; closely cooperate with local governments and direct the border guards of border provinces, especially southern provinces, to carry out patrol seriously and control illegal entry to Vietnam, especially at border crossing points and border checkpoints on land, on waterways and at sea.

- The Ministry of Public Security shall efficiently implement plans for public order and social safety assurance, especially during the election to the 15th National Assembly and election to People's Councils at all level for the 2021 - 2026 tenure. Continue to fight against all types of crime, law violations and social evils. Enhance preservation of traffic order and safety, strictly handle violations against regulations on alcohol concentration and use of narcotic substances when driving; actively participate in COVID-19 prevention and control. Proactively prevent fire and explosions, especially in festivals, business establishments, residential areas, etc.

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- The Ministry of Information and Communications shall direct efficient and adequate communications about COVID-19 prevention. Further boost the use of the Bluezone application. Direct press agencies to promote important accomplishments in all fields, achievement of the dual targets of COVID-19 prevention and socio - economic development to protect people's daily life, business emulation appropriate to the COVID-19 situation, control of fake news, online fraud, etc.; encourage the whole society to complete 2021 socio - economic development targets and tasks successfully.

- Government Inspectorate shall take charge and cooperate with ministries, central authorities and local governments in adopting guidelines, policies, law and solutions in a consistent manner, improving prevention and control of corruption, wastefulness and misconduct; protecting people detecting, reporting and fighting against corruption, wastefulness and misconduct; strictly fulfilling the leader’s duty of receiving citizens, and focusing on resolving complaints and denunciations involving multiple persons or complicated.

- Office of the Government shall take charge and cooperate with ministries, central authorities and local governments in developing and operating the national public service portal, Vietnam Data Exchange Platform, national information and reporting system, information and direction center of the Government and Prime Minister and e-Cabinet efficiently.

- Ministries, central authorities and relevant regulatory bodies shall promote improvement of the business and investment environment; carry out administrative reform, with a focus on administrative procedure reform; simplify business conditions properly. Urgently promulgate a plan for simplification of regulations related to business operations for 2021; enhance dialogues and consultations with and receipt of opinions from organizations, associations and enterprises concerning regulations that are no longer suitable or create barriers to business operations, and promptly propose simplification plans to the Prime Minister for approval. Continue to facilitate reform of specialized inspection by forming contact points, specifying competence and robustly switching from “pre-inspection” to “post-inspection”.

2. Regarding report on assessment of implementation of 5-year socio - economic development plan for 2016 - 2020 and provisional 5-year socio - economic development plan for 2021 - 2025 ( “reports”)

- Ministries, central authorities and local governments shall urgently send their opinions to the Ministry of Planning and Investment for consolidation and completion of the reports. The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall proactively cooperate with relevant regulatory bodies in organizing consultations and seminars to collect opinions from other ministries, regulatory bodies, local governments and experts on the provisional 5-year socio - economic development plan for 2021 - 2025 and key contents to elaborate the Resolution of the 13th National Communist Party Congress.

- The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall take charge and cooperate with relevant regulatory bodies in collecting and consolidating all opinions given by other ministries, regulatory bodies and local governments in meetings to complete and submit the reports to the Government and Prime Minister for consideration and decision, ensuring that the reports are of high quality and promptly submitted to the National Assembly, Standing Committee of National Assembly and National Assembly bodies according to regulations.

3. Regarding report on assessment of implementation of the Government’s action program on implementation of the National Assembly’s Resolution on 5-year socio - economic development plan for 2016 - 2020 and provisional action program on implementation of 5-year socio - economic development plan for 2021 - 2025 (“reports”)

- Ministries, ministerial-level agencies and Governmental agencies shall urgently review implementation of tasks assigned in the Government’s action program on implementation of the National Assembly’s Resolution on 5-year socio - economic development plan for 2016 - 2020; research and send specific tasks, programs and schemes proposed to be launched in 2021 - 2025 to the Ministry of Planning and Investment for consolidation.

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4. Regarding plan for use of saving from funding for expenditure and remaining funding of central government budget of 2020

The Government approved the plan for use of saving from funding for expenditure and remaining funding of central government budget of 2020 proposed by the Ministry of Finance in the document No. 43/TTr-BTC dated March 28, 2021. With the authorization from the Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance shall, on behalf of the Government, propose the plan to the Standing Committee of National Assembly and National Assembly as per regulations.

5. Regarding guidelines for receipt of targeted budget assistance and loans from international organizations for sustainable and climate-resilient development of the Mekong Delta according to Resolution No. 120/NQ-CP

a) Regarding guidelines for loan receipt

- The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall cooperate with relevant ministries and local governments in performance of the following tasks as per the Government’s Resolution No. 120/NQ-CP dated November 17, 2017 on sustainable and climate-resilient development of the Mekong Delta and the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 417/QD-TTg dated April 13, 2019 on introduction of general action program for implementation of Resolution No. 120/NQ-CP: (i) determine all demands for ODA loans and foreign concessional loans of 13 provinces and central-affiliated city in the Mekong Delta to avoid overlapping and ensure efficiency; (ii) specify that connection programs and projects with interregional impact (on traffic, irrigation, etc.) within the spending plan of central government budget are eligible for full disbursement of foreign loans; and programs and projects within the spending plan of local government budget are eligible for partial on-lending according to regulations in the Government’s Decree No. 97/2018/ND-CP dated June 30, 2018.

- The Ministry of Finance shall take charge and cooperate with the Ministry of Planning and Investment and Ministry of Justice in urgently reviewing and researching to revise the draft decree amending Decree No. 97/2018/ND-CP in a way that reduces proportion of on-lending of ODA loans and concessional loans to local governments, especially for governments of disadvantaged localities recovering from natural disasters, storms, floods or dealing with climate change and receiving annual assistance from central government budget, including localities in the Mekong Delta (currently heavily affected by COVID-19), and creates fiscal space for the Government and Prime Minister; ensure compliance with applicable regulations on budget, public debt management and public investment and facilitate sustainable development of provinces in the Mekong Delta; promptly report on these tasks to the Government.

b) Regarding plan for repurposing of 2020 IDA funding from WB

- The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall review and report on the plan for repurposing of 2020 IDA funding from WB to the Prime Minister before April 03, 2021 to promptly redistribute the funding to projects in accordance with WB’s approving schedule.

- In case this IDA funding is not promptly distributed to specific projects, it may be added to the general budget. The Ministry of Planning and Investment and Ministry of Finance shall propose this addition to the Government and Prime Minister according to regulations for timely repurposing of the funding.

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The Ministry of Finance shall receive opinions from Governmental members and provide explanations therefor, which will serve as the basis for completion of the draft 2019 state budget final accounts, and submit the final accounts to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision before the Minister of Finance may sign the final accounts on behalf of the Government and submit them to the Standing Committee of National Assembly and National Assembly as per regulations.

7. Regarding 2019 state financial statement

The Ministry of Finance shall receive opinions from Governmental members and provide explanations therefor, which will serve as the basis for completion of the draft 2019 state financial statement, and submit the statement to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision before the Minister of Finance may sign the statement on behalf of the Government and submit it to the Standing Committee of National Assembly and National Assembly as per regulations.

8. Regarding 2017 wage fund of Vietnam Expressway Corporation

Commission for the Management of State Capital at Enterprises may review instead of approving the 2017 wage fund planned by Vietnam Expressway Corporation according to applicable regulations to determine the actual wage funds of 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, which will provide the basis for formulation of and approval for planned wage funds of 2021 and the following years as per the law.

9. Regarding the Government’s Resolution promulgating general program on state administrative reform for 2021 - 2030

The Ministry of Home Affairs shall receive directions from the Prime Minister and feedback from attendees of the online conference for summarization of the general program on state administrative reform for 2011 - 2020 and development of the general program on state administrative reform for 2021 - 2030, and urgently complete and propose the Resolution on general program on state administrative reform for 2021 - 2030 to the Government for consideration and promulgation before the end of the second quarter of 2021.

10. Regarding report on administrative reform in the first quarter of 2021

Ministries, central authorities and local governments shall continue to boost administrative reform, promulgate 2021 administrative reform plans and organize proper implementation thereof, and follow the Communist Party’s guidelines, Governmental regulations and the Prime Minister’s directions for each aspect of administrative reform.

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11. Regarding report on implementation of the Government's Resolution No. 17/NQ-CP dated March 17, 2019

- Ministries, central authorities and local governments shall focus resources on targets of e-Government development stated in the Government’s Resolution No. 01/NQ-CP of 2021; proactively connect, share and provide their data for other regulatory bodies according to regulations in Decree No. 47/2020/ND-CP and the Prime Minister’s directions; immediately perform some tasks assigned by the Government and Prime Minister in Official Dispatch No. 1250/VPCP-KSTT dated February 25, 2021 by the Office of the Government; properly formulate electronic reports according to guidelines in Circular No. 01/2020/TT-VPCP by the Office of the Government; finish determining safety levels of information systems and propose plans for information safety assurance.

- The Ministry of Public Security shall accelerate formulation of a decree on protection of personal data and efficiently operate the national population database; connect, share and use data thoroughly to minimize paper use in administrative procedures and put the database to wide-spread use from July 2021.

- The Ministry of Information and Communications shall urgently receive opinions from Governmental members to complete and propose the draft decree on electronic identification and authentication to the Government for consideration and promulgation; promptly propose a strategy for development of e-Government with the aim of digital Government for 2021-2025 with orientations to 2030 to the Prime Minister for promulgation.

12. Regarding financial assistance for COVID-19 prevention and control for Hai Duong Province

The Government approved the special mechanism for financial assistance for COVID-19 prevention and control in Hai Duong Province from January 27, 2021 to March 02, 2021 inclusive at the request of the Ministry of Finance in document No. 46/TTr-BTC dated March 30, 2021. The Ministry of Finance and People's Committee of Hai Duong Province shall organize the financial assistance according to Decision No. 481/QD-TTg dated March 29, 2021 and Decision No. 482/QD-TTg dated March 29, 2021 by the Prime Minister and in compliance with the law.

13. Regarding draft decree on management of minerals in national mineral reserves

The Government agreed to the request of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in document No. 1496/BTNMT-DCKS dated March 31, 2021 on amendment to Point b Clause 2 Article 5 of the draft decree, which adds investment projects whose investment guidelines are decided or approved by the Government or Prime Minister as a condition for removal from the list of national mineral reserves to ensure transparency (excluding national defense and security projects). The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall complete and propose the draft decree to the Prime Minister for promulgation properly.

14. Regarding liquidation of 03 automobiles by assigned sale method according to regulations in Clause 2 Article 43 of the Law on Management and Use of Public Property

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15. Regarding approval for scheme for pilot investment in construction of Phuc Yen Market using state budget of Vinh Phuc Province

- The Government approved the guidelines for the scheme for pilot investment in construction of Phuc Yen Market using state budget of Vinh Phuc Province at the request of the Ministry of Industry and Trade in document No. 1768/BCT-TTTN dated March 31, 2021.

- People's Committee of Vinh Phuc Province shall invest in the construction of Phuc Yen Market according to applicable regulations of law and investment guidelines, prevent loss and wastefulness during the project performance process and ensure efficient investment.

16. Regarding fulfillment of duty to assign formulation of and promulgate guidelines for Laws and Resolutions of the National Assembly

- The 2016 - 2021 tenure is the first tenure where the Government promulgates guidelines for Laws and Resolutions of the National Assembly within the Government’s competence on schedule, with late promulgation accounting for only 1,8% (decreasing by 23,4% compared to 25,2% at the end of the 2011 - 2016 tenure). Ministries and regulatory bodies shall continue to robustly and directly give direction and mobilize resources for and focus on formulating and proposing guidelines for Laws and Resolutions coming into force from July 01, 2021 for promulgation before given deadlines.

- Ministers and heads of ministerial agencies shall honor individual responsibility and give direction for assigned tasks more vigorously; propose remaining schemes included in the working plans of the first quarter for promulgation before April 10, 2021; focus resources on and accelerate formulating and proposing of schemes included in the working plans of the second quarter of 2021 promptly./.

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