PM Pham Minh Chinh chairs the first meeting of the Government's Steering Committee for Administrative Reform on March 9. VNA Photo

According to the notice, on behalf of the Government, the Prime Minister acknowledged, praised, and highly appreciated the efforts of ministries, branches, agencies and localities in implementing administrative reform last year.

However, besides the positive results, there are still shortcomings and limitations. For example, administrative reform has not yet met the requirements of the country’s development in the new situation and the wishes of people and businesses. People and businesses are not satisfied when carrying out administrative procedures. They are still concerned about extra licenses, asking for simplified administrative procedures and the procedures should be resolved faster to avoid trouble and harassment for public service users.

Another problem is inconsistency in leadership, direction, and implementation, particularly during COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control. Investment and allocation of resources for administrative reform are limited.

Among the causes of such issues are the insufficient awareness and attention of the heads of administrative levels, problems relating to institutions, implementation, operation, resources, investment, and administrative processes and procedures.

Regarding administrative reform in 2022, the Prime Minister agreed with the report of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the comments of the members of the Steering Committee. 

He requested ministries, branches and localities and members of the Steering Committee focused on key tasks.

Specifically, 2022 must be the year with breakthroughs in administrative reform, especially administrative procedures related to people and businesses to mobilise all resources for national development, improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the administration of ministries, branches and localities. 

Viet Nam expects an improved business environment, enhanced national competitiveness, innovations, a digital economy and digital society, towards sustainable development to adapt to the development trend of the fourth industrial revolution and increase the resilience of economic sectors, fields and sectors. 

The country will step up to overcome difficulties and obstacles caused by the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as support people and businesses to recover production, effectively and flexibly adapt to pandemic’s development. 

The Prime Minister agreed that investment in administrative reform is investment in development.

The investment must be focused. The efficiency of the investment must be measured by the satisfaction of public service users and the improved performance of public service providers.

Ministries, agencies and localities are asked to innovate their thinking, increase awareness, roles and responsibilities of leaders in directing and organising the implementation of administrative reform.

Specifically, the PM asked for improved institutions for administrative reform. Ministries, agencies and organisations are asked to continue to review and propose the removals of administrative procedures to create favourable conditions for people and businesses. 

More financial and human resources should be given to administrative reform. 

Improve the efficiency of the online public service delivery model

The Prime Minister requested to promote and improve the efficiency of the online public service delivery model, especially focusing on deploying 25 essential online public services, prioritising the integration and sharing between the National Population Data and the National Public Service Portal as regulated in the PM’s Decision No 06/QD-TTg dated January 6, 2022.

The PM asked for an effective combination of online and in-person transactions. Information technology infrastructure and digital transformation should be given more investment. 

Ministries, agencies and localities are asked to focus on deploying connectivity, interoperability and data sharing for the customs, tax and banking sectors, ensuring the reduction of administrative procedures. He added that it is necessary to make adequate investment in building e-Government towards the goal of digital government, digital society, and digital citizens.

Viet Nam should develop and complete a set of evaluation criteria for administrative reform according to its circumstances and refer to models around the world, ensuring objectivity, fairness, and democracy.

He said the country should also mobilise the contributions of people and businesses in the implementation of administrative reform while promoting international cooperation to improve the quality of administrative reform./.