Viet Nam determined to gain GDP growth over 7.5%

Ha Noi, Jan. 7 (VNA) -- Prime Minister Phan Van Khai has affirmed the Government's determination to achieve an economic growth rate of more than 7.5 percent set by the National Assembly in 2003.

Khai made the statement at the opening of a two-day meeting between the Government and 61 cities and provinces' leaders to discuss the implementation of national tasks set for 2003 by the 11th NA's second session.

This year is an important transitional year of the 2001-05 plan, Khai said, stressing that the accomplishment this year's socio-economic targets would be a decisive factor for the whole country's socio-economic development in the 2001-05 period.

Khai suggested all localities' leaders harmmer out effective measures to carry out economic restructuring, improve the efficiency of business and production and mobilise all sources for development. Settling financial and banking outstanding issues, strengthening measures to fight social evils and reduce poverty and re-organise the State administrative system are also very important, he noted.

There will be no development if there is no economic restructuring, the PM emphasised.

Khai put stress on the important role of investment, affirming that investment ensures stability. "All investors and localities should mobilise all sources, particularly from the people, for development, and consider investment as one of important measures to promote and expand production," he added.

He said that all ministries, sectors and localities should invest only in projects on economic restructuring to bring into play internal strength in order to fulfil locality and enterprise's socio-economic development plans.

At the Dec. 7-8 conference chaired by Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, and Deputy Prime Ministers Pham Gia Khiem and Vu Khoan, the participants heard reports presented by Planning and Investment Minister Vo Hong Phuc on the plan to carry out this year's socio-economic tasks.

Finance Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung also touched upon a number of financial measures to fulfil socio-economic tasks and the State budget estimation for 2003.--