“A Breath of Fresh Air: Unlocking Potential with Pragmatic and Adaptable Policies”

On the morning of August 27, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the Government’s thematic meeting on law building, discussing and giving opinions on 3 draft laws: the draft Law on State Capital Management and Investment in Enterprises (amended); the draft Law on Teachers; and the draft Law on Digital Technology Industry.

This is the second thematic meeting on law in August 2024 and the eighth of its kind held by the Government this year. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Ministers, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and Government agencies.

At the meeting, the Government listened to the presentation of the summary report and the report on the absorption of the appraisal opinions, and discussed the main policies in the draft laws.

Regarding the draft Law on State Capital Management and Investment in Enterprises (under the Ministry of Finance), the Government members discussed the scope of adjustment, subjects of application, regulations related to the transfer of the Development Investment Fund, inspection, and supervision, as well as state management functions and the function of state capital ownership representation.

For the draft Law on Teachers (under the Ministry of Education and Training), the Government agreed on the need to continue improving the relevant regulations on teachers, inheriting the provisions that have been proven effective in practice, and supplementing regulations to address the shortcomings and problems arising in reality.

For the draft Law on Digital Technology Industry (under the Ministry of Information and Communications), the delegates focused on giving opinions on a number of contents such as mechanisms for projects of a special nature and large scale, the authority to approve the controlled trial mechanism, the relationship between the draft law and related laws, and the management of artificial intelligence.

Mobilizing all legal resources for the development of the country

Giving specific opinions on each discussed content, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh analyzed and emphasized some views on the formulation of the draft laws.

On the general view,

the Prime Minister requested to closely follow and fully institutionalize the guidelines, policies, and directions of the Party and State on related issues; closely follow and clearly reflect the policies that have been approved by the Government in the proposal to build the laws.

Along with this, it is necessary to continue renewing the thinking on law-making towards practicality and respect for objective reality. For issues that are mature and clear, proven effective in practice, and supported by the majority, they should be legalized. For issues that are not yet mature or clear, they should be piloted first, gradually expanded, and improved along the way, without being perfectionist or hasty. The focus should be on resolving difficulties, obstacles, and problems in reality.

Promote comprehensive decentralization and delegation of power, along with the allocation of resources and improvement of implementation capacity. Design tools to enhance supervision, inspection, and control of power, strengthen post-inspection, and clearly define tasks, responsibilities, and products for each individual and organization. Streamline and simplify administrative procedures, eliminate red tape, and reduce intermediaries.

State agencies should focus on performing state management tasks, including strategy, planning, policy formulation, legal framework, standards, criteria, and tools for supervision and inspection. They should also conduct preliminary and final reviews, and administer rewards and discipline.

Strengthen close and effective coordination between ministries, sectors, and agencies. Have appropriate incentive mechanisms for sectors that need encouragement, and refer to international experience suitable to the conditions, circumstances, and payment capacity of Vietnam.

“The policies must be open and feasible, but controllable. They should include appropriate and effective policies for training and developing high-quality human resources related to the three areas covered by the three draft laws. All legal resources must be mobilized for the development of the country,” said the Prime Minister.

Regarding the draft Law on State Capital Management and Investment in Enterprises,

the Prime Minister requested to closely follow and institutionalize the contents of Resolution No.12-NQ/TW of the 12th Central Committee on continuing to restructure, renew, and improve the efficiency of state-owned enterprises, always putting the common interests, national and people’s interests first.

It is necessary to review and address the shortcomings and problems arising in reality, inheriting the provisions that have been proven effective in practice in the current law, and ensuring consistency with related legal documents such as the Law on Investment, Law on Public Investment, Law on Enterprises, and Law on Construction.

The Prime Minister also suggested focusing on management by objectives, stronger decentralization and delegation of power, granting more autonomy to enterprises, along with appropriate allocation of resources, improvement of implementation capacity, and design of inspection and supervision tools. Reduce red tape for enterprises, minimize bureaucracy, promote dynamism and creativity, and care about ensuring the legitimate rights and interests of laborers.

From there, improve investment efficiency and maximize the effectiveness of the huge resources in enterprises, promote the pioneering role of state-owned enterprises in certain fields, as well as the important role of state-owned enterprises in the economy, and enhance the dominant role of the state sector.

On the draft Law on Digital Technology Industry,

the Prime Minister noted the need to continue closely following and institutionalizing the Party’s guidelines in Resolution No. 19-NQ/TW of the 13th Central Committee and Plan No. 13-KH/TW of the Politburo on continuing to promote industrialization and modernization until 2030, with a vision to 2045. Also, Resolution No. 52-NQ/TW dated September 27, 2019, of the Politburo on actively participating in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and Resolution No. 23-NQ/TW dated March 22, 2018, of the Politburo on orientations for building a national industry development policy until 2030, with a vision to 2045.

On the draft Law on Teachers,

the Prime Minister emphasized the requirement to improve the quality of the contingent of teachers, meeting the requirements, tasks, and mission of educating and training students in the new situation, with the view that “teachers are the driving force and inspiration for students.”

In conclusion,

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh highly appreciated the efforts and active preparation of the Ministries of Finance, Education and Training, and Information and Communications in submitting the contents, seriously absorbing and explaining the opinions of the Government members to adjust and perfect the draft laws. He also praised the heartfelt and responsible opinions of the Government members and delegates attending the meeting, which were practical and of high quality.

The Prime Minister requested the ministers to seriously and fully absorb the relevant opinions to perfect the draft laws in accordance with the Law on Promulgation of Legal Documents and related documents, for submission to the National Assembly at its 8th session in October 2024.

As these are new and challenging laws, the Prime Minister requested the ministers to establish task forces with the participation of experts and personnel from other ministries, sectors, and agencies, continue to listen to experts, scientists, and affected parties, closely coordinate with the agencies of the National Assembly, do well in communication, and assign the Deputy Prime Ministers in charge of the respective fields to pay attention and directly guide the completion of the draft laws, ensuring progress and quality.