Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Ha Noi, Feb. 22 (VNA) -- The National Assembly's Standing Committee has called for completion of draft laws on cultural heritage and the customs service before its ninth session, which is scheduled for the second quarter of the year.

Members of the Standing Committee, who ended a five-day meeting on Feb. 19 in preparation for the ninth session of the National Assembly, agreed that the next session would focus on building the nation's legal system.

In reviewing the draft law on cultural heritage, Standing Committee members said the law would help protect the nation's traditional culture and meet people's increasing demand for more useful and interesting cultural activities.

Meanwhile, the body described finalising the customs bill as an urgent task.

The new customs law would create a legal framework to readjust relations between socio-economic activities relating to the customs service, it said.

The law would also be expected to make positive changes to the import-export sector and domestic goods production and circulation, and further the nation's administrative reform process. All this would contribute to maintaining political stability amidst social demand for a fast and sustainable economic growth, said a communique released by the National Assembly's Standing Committee.

The meeting chaired by Nong Duc Manh also previewed legal documents to be revised on new penalties for administrative violations, and an ordinance on the national archives.

Another highlight on the ninth session's agenda, according to the Standing Committee members, will be a review by NA delegates of the Government's supplementary reports on last year's State budget and plans for this year's budget.--VNA