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Projects lagging behind schedule are those financed by the official development assistance (ODA), preferential loans, foreign direct investment (FDI) and under the public-private partnership (PPP) mechanism.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) has proposed the setup of a government’s taskforce to address difficulties in investment projects that have faced delays nationwide.

North-South expressway project. Photo: Tran Dung

The move came following a request from Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in early February on establishing a taskforce to deal with such projects.

The projects experiencing delays are those financed by the official development assistance (ODA), preferential loans, foreign direct investment (FDI) and under the public-private partnership (PPP) mechanism.

According to the MPI, investment projects in provinces/cities have been a focal point in attracting social resources for development. However, due to different reasons, many projects have not been implemented or lagged behind schedule, even for few decades.

“Such issues have led to the waste of land resources and public frustration, while becoming a bottleneck in investment for socio-economic development” stated the ministry.

“A comprehensive review of unfinished and delay projects is, therefore, necessary to clear the hurdle for development in each locality,” it added.

The MPI suggested the Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh to lead the taskforce, with minister and vice ministers of the MPI as deputy heads.

Other members would be senior officials at government agencies involving in investment projects or administering the investment procedures.

In the first five months of this year, disbursed amount of public investment stood at VND102.02 trillion (US$4.43 billion), down by 25% compared to the same period of last year and equivalent to 22.12% of the year’s target.

The disbursement rate of projects financed by ODA funds was estimated at only 3% during the period, for which the Ministry of Finance have been urging localities to transfer funds from projects with slow disbursement progress to those with higher pace.

Shortage of input materials, which resulted in higher prices, and the Covid-19 outbreak in a number of provinces/cities were cited by the government as contributing factors to the slowdown in the implementation of public investment projects.

Growing number of local enterprises achieving success by adopting clean production standards have been direct results from Vietnam’s policies to promote green and sustainable growth.

Vietnam’s active efforts in integrating into the global economy by realizing its commitments under the World Trade Organization (WTO) framework and recently signed free trade agreements would help the country lay the foundation to promote circular economy.

Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai, permanent representative of Vietnam to the WTO. Photo: VNA

Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai, permanent representative of Vietnam to the WTO, made the remarks in a recent virtual conference organized by the WTO Committee on Trade and Development, discussing the circular economy, economic diversification and Aid for Trade.

According to Mai, the circular economy model has been identified as a key solution under Vietnam’s 2021-2030 socio-economic development strategy towards a rapid, sustainable and green economic growth.

“Mechanisms and policies to boost the adoption of circular economy in Vietnam has been incorporated in the country’s Law on Environmental Protection released last year and a national action program on sustainable production and consumption,” Mai added.

Mai also noted the country’s push for green and sustainable growth was first mentioned in the 1986 when the country initiated the renovation process (Doi moi), aiming for economic growth and environmental protection at the same time.

“Vietnam gives priority to the efficient use of natural resources and other input materials to realize the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” she added, saying the growing number of local enterprises attaining successes by adopting clean production standards have been direct results from such policies.

However, as challenges remain for Vietnam to transit from a linear economic model to a circular one, Mai said the country hopes to learn from the experiences of those having succeeded in adopting a circular economic model for sustainable development.

At the conference, experts expressed concern over severe pollution and over-exploitation of natural resources as linear economies are causing unsustainable mass production and environmental degradation.

In this context, circular economy has emerged as a viable solution to address these issues, as this economic system is aimed at reducing waste through the continual repurposing of resources for sustainability.

Green growth and digital transformation have also been acknowledged as measures to promote inclusive growth and sustainable development in developing countries.

Experts also discussed the role that Aid for Trade can play in supporting sustainable development through financing and the transfer of technology and know-how to help make production and consumption more sustainable whilst supporting economic development objectives.

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha in a recent webinar said Vietnam considered the circular economy a key solution to minimize impacts from climate change, especially as the country is among the most vulnerable to extreme climate events. For the past 10 years, Vietnam has been implementing the cleaner production strategy in the industrial sector. A recent survey conducted by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) revealed 68.5% of industrial companies are aware of benefits from cleaner production, up 20.5% against 2010, while those adopting the model in operation surged by 35.9% to 46.9%. According to the MoIT, 21% of medium and large enterprises have dedicated a specialized department on promoting cleaner production.

Troops of Flotilla 4 distributed leaflets about regulations and legal procedures for fishing areas in the Gulf of Tonkin, information about emergency assistance phones, and more.

In addition, medical staff of Flotilla 4 also provided fishermen with information about COVID-19 situations and disease prevention and control.

On this occasion, troops of Ship 635 of Flotilla 4 presented national flags, medical masks and gave 12 square meters of fresh water to trawlers QNG 92566 TS, QNG 92010 TS and QNG 92046 TS.

Nguyen Phuc, captain of the QNG 92566 TS, on behalf of the fishermen, thanked the naval troops for their support to help them stay at sea longer.

Source: baohaiquan

Translated by Song Anh

The exercise was part of the activities to hone troops’ tactical capabilities and shooting skills as well as strengthen their coordination in conducting missions at sea.

Despite unfavorable weather conditions, participating troops overcame all difficulties and demonstrated their high resolve to ensure the quality of the training session.

The results of the training session will serve as a firm basis for the Coast Guard Region 1 Command to raise its combat readiness capabilities, leadership of officers at all levels, troops’ abilities to master weaponry and technical equipment as well as their ability to handle incidents at sea.

Below are some photos of the training.

Translated by Tran Hoai

After discussions, the committee agreed on supplements to the law and ordinance building program for 2021.

Accordingly, during its first session, the 15th NA is scheduled to approve two resolutions on the law and ordinance building program for 2022, and adjustments to the 2021 program, along with a resolution on the financial mechanism for the Nghi Son Oil Refinery and Petrochemical LLC in the central province of Thanh Hoa.

During its second session, the 15th legislature will debate six draft laws in accordance to the 2021 law and ordinance building program approved by the 14th NA, and added another draft law to the agenda.

The committee also agreed with the proposed law and ordinance building program for 2022.

Accordingly, during its third session, the legislature will approve six draft laws, a resolution on the law and ordinance building program for 2023, and adjustments to the 2022 program, while mulling over three draft laws.

The draft laws that are deliberated at the third session are expected to sail through the legislature in the fourth session. Another draft law will be put on the table for discussion at the fourth session.

Regarding preparations for the first session, NA Secretary General and Chairman of the NA Office Bui Van Cuong said the meeting is set to open on July 20 and close on August 3.

Source: VNA