Industry, construction and services have performed better, contributing to a GDP growth rate of 7.2% during the first quarter of 2006, the Prime Minister said.

Farmers have overcome difficulties in adverse weather conditions, planting their crops in time while working on the prevention of bird flu. Provinces and cities are continuing vaccination programmes against the avian flu in order to prevent a new outbreak of the virus.

Preventative efforts against diseases were developed effectively by the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development and Health.

The tourism sector has been very active during the beginning of the year, and attracted nearly 1mil foreign visitors to Vietnam, up by 15% over the same period last year, the cabinet meeting reported.

Exports during the first three months were estimated at US$8.6tril, representing a 20.3% increase. This includes more than $3tril from the foreign-invested sector, excluding crude oil, up by 32%. Imports totalled $8.5tril during the first quarter, an increase of 1.9%.

Banking and financial systems have performed steadily with changes in the consumer price index under control.

However, the nation still had to work on outstanding problems PM Khai said.

Difficulties in agriculture have slowed the sectors growth rate, affecting the national economy. Exports represented only 22.7% of the annual target. Disbursement of Government bonds remained slow.

Consultative services in the design and construction sector did not meet demand.

Corruption and social evils still posed a complicated challenge, with no effective strategies to solve the problem. Serious traffic accidents continued to occur, though a reduction in the overall number of traffic accidents was achieved.

Prime Minister Khai said that one of the main tasks for the remainder of 2006 were to fulfil the GDP target of 8%. This called for more finely-honed plans from the Government and greater efforts from all ministries and sectors.

Drastic measures should be taken to promote production, reduce production costs, raise competitiveness and further promote exports.

Greater efforts should be made to mobilise more investment capital and effectively use investment sources while improving the management of investment and construction projects.

Works must be accelerated at key capital construction projects invested by Government bonds and ODA, especially in socio-economic projects aimed at ethnic minorities and remote mountainous areas.

PM Khai said foreign directed investment has showed encouraging signs. Price hikes must be controlled in the coming time to keep the inflation rate below the economic growth rate.

The Prime Minister said the country should continue active efforts in international economic integration. Administrative reforms continue along with work on the fight against corruption and the practising of thrift and reduction of waste.

Prime Minister Khai praised the mass media for having exposed corruption at Project Management Unit 18 (PMU18).

The Government has showed its determination in the fight against corruption and crime, but investigative organisations from the Public Security Ministry must find legally-sound solid evidence so that crimes would be punished.

The Prime Minister said all officials who violate laws must be duly punished. The fight against corruption was started by the Government with the implementation of strict discipline and corruption checks.

The Prime Minister called on the Fatherland Front and other mass organisations to actively take part in the fight against corruption and in the practising of thrift.

PM Khai asked the Public Security Ministry to accelerate its work on ensuring public security and social order.

Cabinet members at the meeting also gave their opinions on the supplementary report on the implementation of the 2005 tasks and initial work on the 2006 duties.

The meeting also discussed a project on the teaching and learning of foreign languages during the 2006-10period.

Source: Viet Nam News