National Assembly delegates of Hai Duong province question banking and healthcare issues

On November 11, the National Assembly entered the first day of questioning the healthcare and banking sectors. National Assembly deputies from Hai Duong province questioned enthusiastically on the floor.

Should interest rates continue to be cut?

Questioning the Governor of the State Bank on the morning of November 11, delegate Nguyen Ngoc Son (Hai Duong), Standing Member of the National Assembly's Committee on Science, Technology and Environment, asked the Governor to say whether Vietnam should continue to adjust interest rates or have other intervention policies to limit the impact of imported inflation? Should we change the foreign exchange reserve policy to deal with exchange rate fluctuations when the world situation is as volatile as it is now?

Responding to questions, Governor Nguyen Thi Hong stated that whether or not to continue to reduce interest rates depends entirely on developments in the world and domestic economy, especially developments in liquidity and the state of the banking system. In recent times, Vietnam has reduced interest rates significantly compared to other countries and the State Bank will continue to monitor and manage.

Regarding the state foreign exchange reserves, the Governor said he would calculate the best foreign exchange profit plan.

What is the solution when the number of businesses withdrawing from the market increases by 21%?

Questioning Governor Nguyen Thi Hong, Deputy Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Hai Duong Province Nguyen Thi Viet Nga said that the production and business situation of domestic enterprises is still facing many difficulties when the number of newly established enterprises in 2024 increased by 9.7% but the number of enterprises withdrawing from the market increased by 21% even though the Government has implemented many solutions to support enterprises, including credit solutions.

Delegate Nguyen Thi Viet Nga asked the Governor to let her know what practical credit solutions the State Bank will advise the Government on to support businesses, especially in the context that the economic growth target for 2025 is quite high compared to the 2021-2024 period?

In response to this question, Governor Nguyen Thi Hong said that the State Bank has advised the Government to increase capital for businesses and people. Accordingly, there are currently many sources of capital for businesses and people. At the same time, there is a mechanism for businesses to borrow foreign capital, with the ability to borrow and repay themselves...

Therefore, businesses and people themselves need to consider accessing appropriate capital sources, meeting loan conditions and having feasible business plans.

Questioning the Minister of Health about smoking cessation for children

On the afternoon of November 11, delegate Nguyen Thi Mai Thoa, Standing Member of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Education, and National Assembly delegate of Hai Duong province, questioned Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan about supporting smoking cessation for children.

Delegate Nguyen Thi Mai Thoa highly appreciated the Minister of Health for promptly giving instructions following the children's petition at the second mock session of the "Children's National Assembly" and officially announcing the harmful effects of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products and recommending a ban on these products.

Delegate Nguyen Thi Mai Thoa questioned the Minister of Health about building a model to support children in quitting smoking and stimulants and whether it can be replicated in localities or not?

Responding to questions, Minister Dao Hong Lan said that to implement the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms, the Government has established a Fund for Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms with 9 groups of tasks. Among them, there is a group of tasks on establishing and organizing a network of tobacco addiction cessation to support people in quitting smoking. The Ministry of Health has directed the organization of many tobacco addiction cessation models and they are being implemented very effectively.