Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong (Photo: VNA)

Party leader and President Nguyen Phu Trong said last year Vietnam achieved remarkable results, which provided valuable lessons and created firm foundation for Vietnam’s further development and international integration.

Comprehensive socio-economic development

Mr. Trong said Vietnam maintained rapid and comprehensive growth in almost all fields. It’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew more than 7 percent to exceed 245 billion USD and about 2,580 USD per capita.

The macro economy was stable. Export increased with export surplus hitting a record of over 7 billion USD. Startup movement flourished with 132,000 new businesses established. The tourism sector served nearly 15.6 million international visitors and 80 million domestic tourists, becoming the country’s economic spearhead.

The socio-economic achievements contributed significantly to raising people’s material and spiritual life, and ensuring political stability alongside social order and safety, Mr. Trong said. External affairs and international integration were strengthened, contributing to protecting national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and strategic interests; consolidating a peaceful and stable environment for development and elevating Vietnam’s prestige and position on the world arena.

Party building strengthened

Party leader and President Nguyen Phu Trong affirmed that in 2019 Vietnam will continue to foster the macro-economy, maintain growth momentum, enhance quality of growth, reform growth model, and restructure the economy.

He said there are many more jobs to do and do better, but the first hurdle lies with how to create more remarkable changes in administrative reform and pragmatically remove bottlenecks and barriers to the investment, production, and business activities, thus facilitating the mobilisation of all resources for development.
More attention should be paid to building and developing culture and society, building human resources, and promoting social equality and progress in each development step and policy.

A priority task now is Party building and a strong, transparent, effective political system. Personnel work should select and promote competent cadres with morality, talent, and enthusiasm to the government apparatus. Law and principles should be strictly implemented to create breakthroughs in administrative work while code of ethic and morality of state employees should be improved to serve the people. Strong measures will be taken to eliminate corruption, misdemeanour, and wastefulness.

Further integration into global economy

Party leader and President Nguyen Phu Trong said joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is a step forward to materialise policies of the Party and the State in international integration, and assert Vietnam’s important role and geo-political position in Southeast Asia, Asia-Pacific, and the world at large.

The CPTPP membership is also significant for Vietnam in accessing a market of 500 million consumers, accounting for 13.5% of the global GDP. CPTPP commitments will help Vietnam improve the business environment and attract foreign investment and advanced technology. Vietnam will continue to comprehend the socialist-oriented market economy and economic reform.

On the occasion of the Tet holidays, the Party and State leader said growing confidence in the society and among the people is significant. He added that last year’s achievements, the engagement of the entire political system, and the consensus and trust of people will provide great momentum for the fulfilment of tasks in 2019 and the following years.