Prime Minister holds policy dialogue with domestic and foreign experts and businesses

The Prime Minister had in-depth discussions with domestic and foreign experts and businesses about Vietnam's economic policy orientation, especially in industrial transformation, green and sustainable development...

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the Policy Dialogue between the Prime Minister and major domestic and international corporations. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

Within the framework of attending the 5th Ho Chi Minh City Economic Forum with the theme "Industrial transformation, new driving force for sustainable development of Ho Chi Minh City," on the afternoon of September 25, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a policy dialogue with experts and leaders of large domestic and international corporations.

Also attending were Politburo member, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen; leaders of central ministries and branches; leaders of several provinces and cities; representatives of countries, embassies and diplomatic agencies in Vietnam; experts, scientists; leaders of major domestic and international economic groups.

Conversion is an objective requirement

The Policy Dialogue session aims to create opportunities for localities and enterprises to have in-depth and substantive discussions with the Prime Minister and central ministries and branches on the current situation and solutions in applying the industrial transformation model in the City as well as national strategic issues; at the same time, propose models, solutions and policies at the macro level.

Policy Dialogue between the Prime Minister and major domestic and international corporations. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

The policy dialogue session took place in a lively and substantive manner, in the form of questions and answers. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and leaders of ministries and sectors had in-depth discussions with domestic and foreign experts and enterprises on Vietnam's economic policy orientation, especially in the fields of industrial transformation, green and sustainable development; policies to attract foreign investment; policies, characteristics and breakthroughs to encourage and call for investment in the above fields...

Responding to questions about mechanisms and policies to create breakthroughs to accelerate the economic transformation process, especially industrial transformation, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that implementing the mechanism of "Party leadership, State management, people as masters", the Party has had policies and guidelines on economic transformation, including the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress and Resolution 29-NQ/TW in 2022 on continuing to promote the country's industrialization and modernization to 2030, with a vision to 2045.

The Government has been implementing the Party's Resolution on industrialization and modernization of the country. In particular, the Government must grasp the situation, analyze, and propose solutions to promote its unique potential, outstanding opportunities, competitive advantages, and refer to international experience suitable to Vietnam's conditions and world trends.

The Prime Minister said that industrial transformation is an objective requirement, a strategic choice, and a top priority. The Government is focusing on building and perfecting institutions; developing policy mechanisms to mobilize resources to develop infrastructure, especially digital infrastructure, transport infrastructure, climate change response infrastructure, and social infrastructure; improving governance capacity; training human resources; and mobilizing the sharing and assistance of international friends.

Answering questions about mechanisms and policies to promote the development of science and technology, innovation to serve the country's development, including information technology, biotechnology and new materials, the Prime Minister said that to develop science and technology, we must first develop education and training, especially basic science training to lay the foundation for the development of science and technology. Therefore, the Party identifies education and training as the top national policy and promotes the implementation of fundamental and comprehensive innovation in education and training.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh holds a dialogue with major domestic and international corporations. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

From that awareness, the Government has institutionalized it through laws, mechanisms, policies, programs, etc.; mobilized resources for science and technology development; had solutions for cadres, encouraged people to dare to think, dare to do, dare to take responsibility, for the country and for the people.

In response to the question about what the Government has done to promote the development of green economy and circular economy, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that due to climate change, resource depletion, etc., the issue of green development and circular economy has been promoted and Vietnam is determined not to sacrifice the environment for mere economic growth. The Prime Minister emphasized that environmental issues affect all people and all countries, so a global, all-people approach is needed. In particular, it is necessary to raise people's awareness and have policies to mobilize people's participation in developing green economy and circular economy, etc.

Responding to questions about the progress of the Central and local governments in implementing Vietnam's commitment at COP26 on net zero emissions by 2050, the Prime Minister said that the Central Government is currently developing policies, guidelines, mechanisms, laws, programs, plans; training human resources, improving management capacity, mobilizing capital sources... for this issue. Localities must proactively implement according to their authority to implement the Central Government's guidelines, guidelines, and policies, applying them in the best way suitable to specific conditions and circumstances; mobilizing the participation of people and businesses.

Regarding specific tasks, the Prime Minister said that it is necessary to carry out energy conversion, from energy that emits a lot of carbon to clean energy, green energy, including a roadmap to stop the operation of coal-fired thermal power plants and replace them with nuclear energy, wind power, solar power, hydrogen, biomass power, liquefied gas, etc. Vietnam has issued and implemented the VIII Power Plan in the above direction; issued a direct electricity trading mechanism and will issue next week a decree on encouraging rooftop solar power.

The Prime Minister said that Vietnam is also interested in developing green transport, electric vehicles, low-emission transport; promoting the construction of large projects on high-speed railways, urban railways, etc. Vietnam is working very actively and needs the support of people and businesses, the support of international partners, such as G7 countries supporting Vietnam through the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) between Vietnam and the International Partnership Group (IPG).

Regarding the question of foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction policy, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that to develop Vietnam, internal resources are identified as fundamental, strategic, long-term, and decisive; external resources are important and breakthrough, including resources from FDI. Because foreign investors not only bring finance, technology, management, human resource training to Vietnam, but also help shift the economic structure towards modernization, create more jobs for people and increase state budget revenue.

To attract foreign investment, Vietnam has been perfecting its institutions, cutting administrative procedures, promoting decentralization and delegation of power; promoting infrastructure development, especially transport infrastructure, digital infrastructure, and social infrastructure to reduce logistics costs and compliance costs for businesses; providing high-quality human resources, especially human resources for emerging industries..., with the motto "open institutions, smooth infrastructure, smart people and management".

Affirming that Vietnam always protects the legal and legitimate rights and interests of enterprises; does not criminalize economic and civil relations, the Prime Minister hopes that investors will feel secure and continue to invest long-term and effectively in Vietnam.

Let's act together to enjoy joy and happiness

Speaking at the end of the dialogue, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his delight at Ho Chi Minh City organizing the 5th Economic Forum on a larger scale, attracting a large number of managers, scientists, experts, domestic and foreign enterprises and international organizations.

The theme "Industrial transformation, a new driving force for sustainable development of Ho Chi Minh City" is a very topical issue, at the same time demonstrating the position and role of the City in the industrial transformation process.

Regarding the theme of the Forum "Industrial transformation, a new driving force for sustainable development", the Prime Minister said that when the situation changes, there must be appropriate responses and adaptation to the situation to continue to develop.

Analyzing the current world situation, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that the issues affect all people and all countries, so there must be a global approach, reaching all people, especially for the 4th industrial revolution.

Providing information on Vietnam's fundamental factors, the Prime Minister said that Vietnam is implementing a reform policy with three pillars: Building a socialist rule-of-law state, of the people, by the people, for the people; socialist democracy; and a socialist-oriented market economy. In this process, fairness, social progress, social security, and the environment must not be sacrificed for mere economic growth.

Providing information on the main features of foreign policy, defense policy, cultural development, Party building, political system building, anti-corruption work, etc., as well as the process of industrial transformation, green transformation, and digital transformation, the Prime Minister said that up to now, Vietnam's GDP in 2023 has reached about 433 billion USD, ranking 34th in the world, among the 20 largest economies in terms of international trade scale, with per capita income increasing from about 100 USD when the reform began to about 430 USD. The macro economy is stable, major balances are guaranteed.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam is still on the path of growth recovery; maintaining macroeconomic stability, controlling inflation; public debt, government debt, foreign debt, budget deficit within prescribed limits; ensuring major balances of the economy.

Social security and people's lives have improved; political and social stability; independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity have been maintained; national defense and security have been strengthened; foreign affairs and international integration are bright spots. In these common achievements, Ho Chi Minh City has made important contributions, even during the difficult times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Highlighting the position and role of Ho Chi Minh City for the whole region and the whole country, the Prime Minister assessed that Ho Chi Minh City is always at the forefront of innovation, always a growth center, a pioneer in many fields, in innovation of mechanisms and policies, sustainable socio-economic development, ensuring social security, and caring for people's lives.

The Prime Minister highly agreed with the delegates' opinions on the requirement of comprehensive industrial transformation in Ho Chi Minh City, building a civilized, modern city, on par with history, where the people are always happier and more prosperous year after year, and harmonious development between nature and people, between economy, society and environment.

The Prime Minister believes that with the efforts of the Party Committee, government, people, businesses and the support, cooperation and assistance of international friends, the City will achieve this goal.

Believing that industrial transformation must both renew traditional industries and develop new industries with a broader concept, related to new fields such as digital economy, green economy, sharing economy, circular economy, knowledge economy, night-time economy, etc., the Prime Minister requested to build and perfect institutions; develop synchronous and modern infrastructure; focus on training high-quality human resources; smart governance; mobilize resources through promoting public-private partnership to develop the City.

Stating that the responsibility of the Government and ministries and branches is to continue to build mechanisms, priority policies, programs and projects for the development of Ho Chi Minh City, the Prime Minister requested that enterprises implement the motto of "harmonizing benefits, sharing risks" and "harmonizing interests between the State, people and enterprises."

To meet the requirements of businesses, the City must ensure “transparent infrastructure, open institutions, and smart governance” for businesses to develop; successful businesses are also the success of the City and the whole country.

For partners, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh wishes to give Vietnam financial incentives; promote technology transfer so that Vietnam can participate in global value chains, supply chains, and distribution chains; contribute to training human resources for Vietnam; share experiences in governance; contribute ideas to help Vietnam perfect its institutions, etc.

Emphasizing the spirit of "listening and understanding together; sharing vision and action together; working together, enjoying together, winning together, developing together; enjoying joy, happiness and pride together," the Prime Minister believes that with sincerity, the delegates attending the Forum "Industrial Transformation, a new driving force for sustainable development of Ho Chi Minh City" and the Policy Dialogue will all bring back a "gift", which is the knowledge that the Forum and Dialogue bring./.

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