Untie the bottlenecks for businesses to develop and promote economic growth

Dear Minister, up to this point, it can be seen that the economic growth target of 6.7% in 2016 is becoming more difficult. What do you think about this?

In the first 6 months of 2016, the world economic situation is complicated, with many unfavorable and unpredictable factors arising, having a significant impact on the domestic economy. GDP in the first 6 months of the year only increased by 5.52%, much lower than the increase in the same period in 2015 of 6.47%. Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sectors have suffered serious damage due to natural disasters, drought, saltwater intrusion, and environmental problems; Mining industry declined due to sharp drop in oil prices; The processing and manufacturing industry is expected to recover quickly, but will only achieve an increase equivalent to the same period in 2015.

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung

It is true that it is not easy to achieve the economic growth target set by the National Assembly of 6.7%. With this scenario, in the last 6 months of the year, GDP growth must reach 7.6%, over 2 percentage points higher than the first 6 months of the year. This is a difficult and challenging task, requiring the synchronous implementation of many solutions, on many fronts and the accumulation of achievements in each field.

We still need to persevere in radical, sustainable, long-term solutions. Maintaining macroeconomic stability is a key factor, in which controlling inflation is an important goal, and managing interest rates and foreign exchange rates in a stable direction. Highly focus on restoring the development momentum of production and business, especially agriculture and processing industry, taking advantage of opportunities of new generation free trade agreements to promote exports.

Implement immediately solutions to increase disbursement of investment capital sources, especially public investment capital and foreign direct investment, contributing significantly to accelerating GDP growth.

The last but not least important thing I mention is that the recovery of businesses will become an important and decisive driving force in promoting economic growth in the last months of the year and the coming time, especially with the Government's drastic direction and management on administrative reform, improving the investment environment, supporting businesses to remove bottlenecks for businesses, liberating development power for businesses, making businesses feel secure in the business environment, Rest assured to invest and expand production.

Dear Minister, in the recent dialogue on investment policy in 2016 with businesses and investors, the Minister said that businesses are one of the priorities of the new Government term...

This is clearly shown in the Government's operations. In just one month, the Government issued two resolutions on issues related to administrative reform, improving the investment environment, and supporting businesses, which are Resolution 19-2016/NQ-CP on main tasks and solutions to improve the business environment, enhance national competitiveness in 2 years 2016 - 2017, orientation to 2020 and Resolution 35/2016/NQ-CP on business support and development until 2020.

Over the past 2 months, the Government has drastically directed the completion of guiding documents on legal documents, ensuring there are no legal gaps. 50 decrees on business conditions have been issued and took effect on July 1, 2016 according to the provisions of the Investment Law, abolishing all sub-licenses that have existed for a long time...

Of course, these solutions may have a delay, the effects of these solutions coming sooner or later depend greatly on the drastic implementation at all levels and sectors.

We have seen the road to the finish line this year, it is important that we run to the finish line, as fast as possible.

As the focal point to help the Government in implementing the above resolutions as well as reviewing, abolishing and perfecting the system of regulations on business conditions, is the Minister satisfied with the results of changes in the investment and business environment over the past time?

We know there are concerns about the quality of the decrees, concerns about the mechanical upgrading of business conditions from circulars to decrees.

We also know that there are gaps between the Government's determination and the implementation at all levels. However, it must be clearly affirmed that we have very high political determination in removing difficulties and promoting the development of businesses. This is being spread from the highest levels to the enforcement agencies.

For example, with the review of business conditions, the Government not only has strict requirements on the progress of this work, to avoid legal gaps after July 1, 2016, but is also very drastic on the quality of documents. The principle is stated very clearly: it is necessary to review and clearly determine which business conditions are necessary and ensure the requirements of the law before it can be promulgated. The Ministry of Planning and Investment has been determined to work together with ministries and branches to get the best products in a short time.

It can be said that the recent review of business conditions is a requirement of the development period with new requirements from businesses and investors. Also in this spirit, we have proposed that the Government continue to review. If problems are discovered that are not in accordance with new development requirements, they will continue to be amended.

We are also being assigned by the Government to develop a Draft Law amending and supplementing laws on business investment. Regulations that are inconsistent with reality, overlapping, incompatible, contrary to the trend of innovation and integration, and hindering production and business activities will have to be amended. Specialized laws will also have to be reviewed in this direction.

Besides, it must also be said that good institutions need people to implement them well and grasp the spirit of reform.

During the 2016 National Conference of the planning and investment industry, the Ministry of Planning and Investment will also thoroughly educate the entire industry on the content of solutions to implement the Government's resolutions and implement the Prime Minister's directions on operating the socio-economic development plan, Resolution 19-2016/NQ-CP; Resolution 35/NQ-CP; Resolution No. 60/2016/NQ-CP on tasks and solutions to accelerate disbursement of public investment plan in 2016...

Bao Duy