National Assembly tackles tight agenda as debate commences

Economic restructuring was one of the focuses of recent National Assembly sessions

According to Nguyen Hanh Phuc, Chairman of the National Assembly Office, 70 percent of the session’s schedule will be occupied with approving 18 draft laws and three draft resolutions, and debating 12 other draft laws.

“This session will be the biggest ever session to consider such a high number of legal issues. Now that we’ve implemented the new 2013 Constitution, there are many related laws which need to be revised,” Phuc said at last week’s press briefing held in Hanoi’s newly-built National Assembly building.

At this session, the range of laws under consideration include revised laws on the National Assembly Organisation, People’s Court Organisation, People’s Procuracy Organisation, Social Security, Housing, Real Estate, Trading, and Investment and Enterprises. Other laws being passed relate to Vocational Training and Education, Vietnam Civil Aviation, Citizen Identification, Special Consumption Taxation and many others.

The National Assembly will also review the government’s special reports 347/BC-CP and 373/BN-CP relating to social, economic and state budget issues.

According to the government’s September report 347/BC-CP on social and economic issues for 2014 and into 2015, 12 out of the 14 targets set by the National Assembly have been fulfilled, while one was roughly fulfilled.

This document also pinpoints solutions which should be implemented by the end of the year, such as flexible control of currency tools and policies, efficiently implementing the mobilisation of all types of resources, pushing forward construction, the disbursement of basic investment capital, and tightening the management of the state budget.

The government’s report 373/BC-CP dated October 8, 2014 refers to the assessment of the state budget in 2014 and includes plans for 2015. The report suggests key solutions for reaching 2014 targets, focusing on state budget collection and the taxation of the enterprises. The report offers ways to efficiently mobilise, distribute and use state financial resources in 2015. It also provides solutions for inflation control and ensuring stable economic development.

The National Assembly will also pass three important resolutions which deal with votes of confidence, the United Nations Convention against Torture, and rights for disabled people.

At this session, the National Assembly will discuss the social and economic development of the country, in particular, a special inspection report on the economic restructuring, including the restructuring of public investment, state enterprises and the banking system.

National Assembly members will also collect opinions on the construction of the proposed Long Thanh International Airport and take a confidence vote on 50 high-ranking officials of the National Assembly.

Beginning on October 20th, the eight session of the 13th National Assembly will run for 33 days.