NA adopts resolution on 2019 development plan

The resolution sets the overall goal of continuing to maintain macro economic stability, control inflation; enhance productivity, quality, efficiency, independence and competitiveness of the national economy; improve the investment and business environment to bolster economic growth; and create more substantive changes in implementing strategic breakthroughs and economic restructuring in tandem with renewing the growth model.

The resolution also aims to boost reform and innovation and the application of scientific-technological advances, and make effective use of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

It urges attention to be paid to developing health care, education-training, culture, ensuring social security and improving the people’s material and spiritual life; strengthening management of natural resources, environmental protection, prevention and control of natural disasters and response to climate change.

Other major goals include pushing ahead with administrative and judicial reform, streamlining the apparatus and personnel contingent, fighting corruption, strengthening national defence and security, ensuring social safety and order, and promoting external relations and international integration.

The resolution sets 12 specific targets for the year, including a GDP growth rate of 6.6-6.8 percent, inflation at 4 percent, an increase of 7-8 percent in export turnover and trade deficit at under 3 percent of total export turnover.

Total social investment should account for 33-34 percent of GDP, the household poverty rate measured by multidimensional standards would be reduced by 1 – 1.5 percent, and the unemployment rate in urban areas would be under 4 percent.

The ratio of trained workers in the workforce should be raised to 60-62 percent, of which 24-24.5 percent would get training certificates.

The ratio of hospital beds per 10,000 people should reach 27 percent, and health insurance coverage is targeted at 88.1 percent.

The ratio of industrial parks and export processing zones having concentrated waste water treatment systems should increase to 89 percent, and the forest coverage at 41.85 percent. On tasks and major solutions for 2019, the National Assembly basically approved those submitted by the Government, the Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Procuracy as well as recommendations made by the NA’s agencies.

The NA required the Government and agencies to implement requirements, tasks and measures as specified in the document 37-KL/TW dated October 17, 2018 by the 8th plenum of the 12th Party Central Committee on socio-economic and budgetary situation in 2018 and plans for 2019.