Agricultural production continues to face input cost pressure

Disbursement of 347,000 billion VND economic recovery support package is very slow

Within the framework of the meeting, the National Assembly Standing Committee gave opinions on submitting to the National Assembly for consideration and decision on investment policy of the Ring Road 4 project in the Hanoi Capital region; Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 3 Project; the submission to the National Assembly for consideration and decision on investment policies for Chau Doc - Can Tho - Soc Trang expressway construction projects (phase 1); Khanh Hoa - Buon Ma Thuot (phase 1); Bien Hoa - Vung Tau (phase 1).

Emphasizing these 5 important national projects under the National Assembly's authority to decide on investment policies and diversify capital sources, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue proposed to comment on the necessity and urgency of the investment allocation, conformity with master plans, plans, strategies, forms of investment and structure of investment capital, specifically the feasibility of capital sources to avoid being approved by the National Assembly without being implemented. 

According to the Chairman of the National Assembly, we are currently at almost half of 2022, but the disbursement progress for the economic recovery support package of VND 347,000 billion is still very slow. Meanwhile, this program is only planned to be disbursed in the two years of 2022 and 2023.

The National Assembly Chairman suggested that the relevant Committees under the National Assembly should base on the report as well as the actual situation to voice their opinions, "because one committee cannot accomplish it all". Thereby improving the quality of reports, avoiding a generalized situation and pushing difficulties for the National Assembly.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue emphasized the need to assess the responsibilities of each agency under the National Assembly, the Government, and ministries in studying and handling voters' petitions, while handling them according to their respective fields of responsibility.

Risk of shortage of agricultural products for processing and export

According to Chairman of the Economic Committee of the National Assembly Vu Hong Thanh, in the first few months of 2022, agricultural exports were affected by numerous factors including international competition, as well as instability from the traditional market.

The market for agricultural products is not stable, leading to low economic efficiency of some products, not commensurate with the level of investment. It is recommended to report and clarify difficulties, obstacles, congestion of vehicles in the import and export of agricultural products through the northern border gates recently, in which it is necessary to clarify the information that some border gate areas have shown signs of troubles, harassment, causing difficulties for businesses.

In addition, agricultural production continues to face high input and animal feed costs; fishery exploitation faces difficulties due to high gasoline prices, leading to the risk of shortage of supply for processing and export.

The agricultural sector's works of trade promotion and market-opening negotiations have not met the requirements when these activities are conducted online. There are suggestions to supplement reports on the developmental status of fisheries infrastructure as well as resources (budget, human resources) for the task of combating illegal fishing along with efforts to remove the yellow card in the fisheries sector.

Mr. Vu Hong Thanh said that in the near future, it is necessary to control the supply and supply chain of materials, production fuels, including consumer goods between regions and between localities, so as not to cause breakages, especially in the world's supply chain with Vietnam.

At the same time, it is necessary to closely monitor the market and commodity prices, especially raw materials and inputs for industrial and agricultural production in order to have timely policies, solutions to ensure the balance between supply - demand, appropriate management and price stabilization; ensure the supply and circulation of goods and major balances of the economy, etc.

Budget revenue is not very sustainable

Mr. Nguyen Phu Cuong - Chairman of the Finance and Budget Committee of the National Assembly said: Some state budget revenues in 2021, although increasing by a quite large margin, are not really sustainable, dependant on resource exploitation.

He specifically cited, according to the Governmental report, revenue from crude oil exceeded 21.4 trillion VND compared to the estimate, an increase of 9.4 trillion VND compared to the number reported to the National Assembly. Additionally, the collection of land use levy has had a large increase compared to the estimate (an increased of VND74,081 billion) and the reports to the National Assembly (an increase of VND44,881 billion). Standing Committee of Finance and Budget said that this is an unstable and unsustainable revenue for the local budget balance.

Therefore, the Government is requested to direct localities to develop a suitable, prudent management and exploitation plan with an appropriate roadmap to ensure the effectiveness and long-term exploitation of land resources.

In particular, there are control measures to avoid the quick rise in the real estate sector. At the same time, it is necessary to develop a closer estimate to operate the state budget proactively and effectively.