Monday’s Q&A session focused on planning and investment, finance,  banking, trade, industry, agriculture, transport, and construction.

Minister of Trade and Industry Nguyen Hong Dien said Vietnam aims to increase the share of renewable energy excluding hydro-power to 28.5%, an ambitious target that requires both Vietnam’s efforts and international support.

“It’s necessary to encourage the development of self-production and self-consumption of solar power, power storage devices, and electricity markets, including competitive generation, wholesale and retail markets,” he said.

Construction Minister Nguyen Thanh Nghi said the Politburo has issued a resolution on planning, building, management and sustainable development of urban areas in Vietnam until 2030 with a vison to 2045. The Government has also promulgated a plan of action with 5 groups of talks and solutions scheduled to implement the resolution, he said.

Earlier, Minister of Finance Ho Duc Phoc said his Ministry will propose changes to the Law on Management and Use of Public Assets because "the Law took effect in 2017, but does not cover all activities."

"For example, regulations for public service units regarding joint ventures, associations, and leasing of public assets need to be more specific,” he said.

Regarding the credit package of nearly 5 billion USD to create social housing for low-income workers, Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam Nguyen Thi Hong said this program supports the target of building 1 million affordable houses in the next 10 years.

So far, 18 of 63 cities and provinces have announced projects that meet the requirements for loans totaling more than 1.1 billion USD, she said, adding that disbursement of more than 4.4 million USD has been made for 3 projects in 3 provinces.

"Given such a slow pace, the State Bank has urged other localities to soon announce their projects to effectively implement the social housing program,” said Ms. Hong.