Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh: Striving for a rich people and strong country, "no matter how difficult it is, we must do it"

Emphasizing that the 8% GDP growth target by 2025 is an inevitable requirement to realize the country's centennial goals, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that "no matter how difficult it is, it must be done, not being able to do it is impossible", and at the same time proposed a series of key solutions to create breakthroughs in socio-economic development.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the discussion group. (Photo: DUY LINH)

Determined to overcome difficulties and move the country forward

On the afternoon of February 14, continuing the program of the 9th Extraordinary Session, the National Assembly discussed in groups the Supplementary Project on socio-economic development in 2025 with a growth target of 8% or more; investment policy for the Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong railway project; draft Resolution on piloting a number of specific and special mechanisms and policies to develop the urban railway network system in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City; specific mechanisms and policies for investment in the construction of the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project.

Speaking at the discussion session in his group, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh reviewed the world and domestic situation, emphasizing the challenges facing the economy, from global trade tensions, geopolitical fluctuations, to internal difficulties such as epidemics, supply chain disruptions or natural disasters.

Along with that, the scale, openness, and transformation of the economy are also a challenge for the centenary goals (by 2030, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Party and by 2045, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the country) set by the 13th National Congress. In particular, according to the Prime Minister, the change of leadership at the local and central levels during this term also has an impact.

In such a context, with the efforts of the entire political system under the leadership of the Party, the consensus of the people and businesses, and the support of international friends, the country has overcome difficulties. In 2024, all 15/15 socio-economic targets were exceeded and achieved, of which 12 targets were exceeded.

The Prime Minister informed that this morning the Politburo met to summarize the reform of the apparatus according to Resolution 18 of 2027 of the Central Committee and commented that: The current reform of the apparatus is agreed and supported by the people, the entire political system is involved so it is implemented very quickly. The Central Committee sets an example and the localities follow. The motto of action is to do it from top to bottom, from bottom to top, from simple to complex.

In the current world situation, along with the demands and expectations of the people, and the requirements of development to achieve the 100-year goals, the task of 8% GDP growth by 2025 "must be done, no matter how difficult, and cannot be done," the Prime Minister emphasized.

The Prime Minister recalled that when Typhoon No. 3 (Yagi) occurred, many people advised him to reduce the growth target to make it easier to strive. "I replied that we should strive for a rich and strong nation, for a prosperous life for the people, not to set goals that are easy to strive to achieve. The tradition and culture of our nation from ancient times to the present is that the more pressure, the more effort, the more difficulty, the more solidarity. We have overcome the difficulties," said the Prime Minister.

The 8% growth target by 2025, according to the Prime Minister, is not just a number but a strategic task, determining the scale of GDP, per capita income, labor productivity and many other important indicators.

"This is a huge challenge. But if we don't set such a target, it will be difficult to achieve the 100-year target. The whole country must grow, localities must grow, industries must grow, and fields must grow. Everyone must act, must perform according to their functions, tasks, and powers, focusing on the growth target," said the Prime Minister.

Create development space, promote growth momentum

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly deputies discuss in groups. (Photo: DUY LINH)

To achieve this goal, the Government has identified many synchronous solutions, from fiscal and monetary policies, public investment to institutional reform, infrastructure development, improving the quality of human resources and applying science and technology.

First of all, the Government will create conditions for ministries, sectors, businesses and people to have more space to innovate and unleash resources. Along with that, it is possible to expand Credit growth, combined with fiscal policy, increasing revenue and reducing expenditure, expanding the deficit ratio in the context of public debt and government debt being well controlled.

The Prime Minister also mentioned solutions to promote public investment, promote three strategic breakthroughs in institutions, infrastructure and human resources in the spirit of "resolving problems wherever they are, and resolving problems whenever they arise".

For breakthrough Infrastructure, strategic infrastructure investment continues to be promoted, especially key transport routes such as the North-South high-speed railway, the Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong railway, along with the urban railway system in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

The Prime Minister also emphasized the role of science and technology, innovation and digital transformation in creating new growth drivers. Satellite internet coverage to bring digital technology to remote areas, especially ethnic minority areas, will help narrow the development gap, ensuring that no one is left behind. At the same time, it is necessary to take advantage of new development spaces such as outer space, sea space and underground space to expand growth potential.

At the same time, administrative reform continues to be promoted towards streamlining and efficiency. Cutting administrative procedures, eliminating the request-grant mechanism, and promoting digitalization in state management will help improve the investment environment and enhance the competitiveness of the economy.

Taking the example of abolishing district-level police, the Prime Minister said that when district-level police are abolished, some will be transferred to the province, while the majority will go down to the grassroots level.

"If we talk about the people and the happiness of the people, where are the people? The people are at the grassroots level, in communes and wards. We must strengthen the grassroots level to take care of the people. This reform of the apparatus, including the Party apparatus, is to serve development. The people must be happy and prosperous, the country must be strong and prosperous. Whatever we do, we must aim for that goal. From now until the end of the year, we have to do a lot of work," said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister affirmed that to achieve the high growth target, the whole country must join hands and be of one mind. Localities, sectors and fields must make maximum efforts. “Only discuss doing, not retreating. Once determined, we must do it,” the Prime Minister emphasized.

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