The 12th meeting of the 11th Party Central Committee concluded in Hanoi on October 11 after seven days of working and the successful completion of all assigned tasks. During the meeting, the delegates discussed the country’s socio-economic situation and the State budget in 2015; the socio-economic development plan and State budget estimates for 2016; preparations for the election of deputies to the 14th National Assembly and People’s Councils for the 2016-2021 tenure; personnel work for the 12th Party Central Committee; and other major issues. They agreed that the country’s socio-economic situation has improved this year and significant changes had been made in most areas. With a stable macro-economy and inflation under control at 2 percent, the lowest over the past 15 years, economic growth is expected to stand at about 6.5 percent – higher than the set target, they said. The rate of low-income households dropped below 4.5 percent, the delegates noted, adding that progress had also been made in reforming administrative procedures and improving the businesses environment. Strides had also been made in the fight against corruption and extravagance. Citizen reception had improved, and petitions and complaints had received due attention. Apart from maintaining national defence, security, social order, safety and national sovereignty, foreign relations and international integration also advanced, helping raise the country’s position in the global arena. However, the committee pointed out a string of challenges facing the economy, such as low productivity and competitiveness, overspending, public debt, bad debt, agricultural exports and trade deficit. Slow restructuring of sectors and equalisation of State-owned enterprises, unsustainable poverty reduction, newly emerging challenges in protecting national sovereignty over seas and island, and bottlenecks in preparations for deeper trade integration also remained major difficulties. Regardless, the committee aims to keep the macro-economy stable in 2016, increase the economy’s growth rate and accelerate the implementation of strategic breakthroughs. The national gross domestic product is projected to rise 6.7 percent, with export turnover up about 10 percent and the trade deficit at less than 5 percent. State budget overspending on the GDP and consumer price index (CPI) are both expected to remain below 5 percent. Other issues regarding administrative reform, national defence, international integration, employment, poverty reduction, living standards, social welfare and environmental protection will continue to receive due attention, the committee affirmed. To realise those goals, the Party Central Committee defined several main measures, one of which is to ensuring the stability of macro economy by resolving difficulties for business and production, especially in the domestic economic area, thus promoting growth. Additionally, measures should be taken to hasten implementation of strategic breakthroughs, restructure the national economy and continue growth model reform. The committee also urged improving productivity, quality, efficiency and competitiveness, while promoting the implementation of the master economic restructuring plan. Participants also underlined the need to quicken the process and efficiently restructure State-owned enterprises, as well as agro-forestry companies. Regarding State budget estimates for 2016, the Party Central Committee said it is necessary to concentrate on strictly and effectively implementing legal regulations on the State budget; enhancing measures to prevent loss of revenue; restructuring budget collection and increasing the rate of mobilisation for the State budget from GDP. Along with these, financial discipline must be tightened through stringently controlling budget spending and comprehensively implementing measures to manage public debt, with an aim to reduce overspending. Another measure is to focus financial resources on major national programmes and projects and those of urgent needs. Efforts will be taken to promote the development of culture and society; and enhance natural resources management, environmental protection, climate change adaptation and disaster prevention. The State will also step up administrative reforms, improving the business and investment climate. It will also safeguard national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, while ensuring political security and social order are protected. Foreign relation activities should be promoted to deepen ties between Vietnam and partners. Other activities that enhance multilateral foreign relations and people-to-people diplomacy will continue. The national legal system will be fine-tuned, while measures will be taken to effectively implement commitments to international integration, especially within the ASEAN Community, free trade agreements (FTAs), the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, and the Action Plan to realise 17 goals and 169 targets recently approved at the UN Summit for the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Emphasis will be also placed on enhancing State management of information and communications and on ensuring citizens’ right to information access as well as information safety and security. Also at the meeting, the Party Central Committee passed a number of policies in preparation for the elections of the 14 th National Assembly election and the People’s Councils at all levels for the 2016-2021 tenure, including instructions on the National Electoral Council, the time of elections, the number of candidates and candidate qualification. The committee discussed and agreed with the Politburo’s statement on the results of personnel preparation for the 12 th Party Central Committee and its report on personnel arrangement in the Politburo, the Secretariat and key leadership positions from the 12 th to the 14 th meeting of the 11 th Party Central Committee, as well as proposals on personnel issues to be addressed from now to the committee’s 14th meeting. The committee also adopted the first list of candidates for official and alternate members of the 12 th Party Central Committee.-VNA