(VOVworld)- The 5^th session of the 13^th National Assembly opened in Hanoi on Monday. Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc presented a report on the implementation of last year’s plans and tasks in the first four months of this year as well as government measured to fulfill this year’s socio-economic targets.  VOV examines the tasks the government will focus on to achieve this year’s set targets.

The government report highlights Vietnam’s satisfactory results so far this year. The Consumer Price Index was lower than in the same period last year and the lowest in the last four years. Bank interest rates fell and the credit surplus increased every month reaching 2.11% in April, higher than in the same period last year. The foreign currency market and exchange rates were quite stable and foreign currency reserves increased. Credit organizations maintained stable operations. Enterprises’ difficulties have been gradually addressed. GDP in the first quarter increased 4.89%, more than in the same period last year and surpassing the set target. Social security and welfare were paid attention to. Vietnam has generated more than 475,000 jobs so far his year and the number of applicants for unemployment assistance has decreased.

The economy is expected to face continued difficulties due to the slow recovery of the global economy. The government will focus on strengthening the macro-economy and controlling inflation to achieve a higher growth rate than last year. The government aims to use a flexible monetary policy and careful fiscal policies to reduce interest rates and achieve a credit growth of 12% this year. Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said: “We will focus on tackling difficulties for enterprises, dealing with bad debts, expanding the market, increasing purchasing power and accelerating consumption. To this end, the government will reduce, delay or exempt taxes for enterprises and assist them with credit incentives. We intend to boost the marine economy, promote the domestic market by bringing goods to rural areas, and strengthening the movement of Vietnamese people preferring Vietnamese goods and effect an economic restructuring. Ministries, sectors and localities are urged to fulfill aggressively their assigned tasks in the economic restructuring”.

The government will coordinate measures to continue the restructuring of credit organizations to improve credit quality, and fine-tune the safety mechanisms of the banking system.

The government will also concentrate on ensuring social security and welfares, natural disaster prevention and control and coping with climate change. Vietnam will devote more effort to strengthening national defense and security and maintaining social order. Phuc added: "The government will continue implementing the master plan on international integration, actively negotiate and participate in free trade areas, expand the market, accelerate the roadmap of upgrading relations with certain partners, and deepen established relationships. We aim to expand Vietnam’s role and ensure its national interests in regional and world organizations and forums, responsibly contribute to the building of an ASEAN Community by 2015, and enhance overseas Vietnamese affairs and the protection of Vietnamese citizens and fishermen. We are committed to the policy of resolving maritime conflicts through peaceful means based on international law and promoting dialogues on democracy, human rights and religion".

Phuc says the workload for the rest of the year is heavy, but the government is determined to fulfill the set targets for this year in order to successfully implement its five-year plan till 2015.