Hanoi (VNA) – New Year 2018 had a betterbeginning than the same period in 2017, regarding some indicators, PrimeMinister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has said at the Government meeting for January.

In January, the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) of Vietnam grew by 53.4points, the biggest pace in ASEAN and even higher than that of the Republic ofKorea and China. Driving forces of GDP growth also increased, including theindex of industrial production increasing 20.9 percent, he noted at the meetingon February 2.

In the month, the number of foreign visitors toVietnam soared by 42 percent to more than 1.4 million. About 10,800 businesseswere set up, higher than the 9,000 new firms in the same period last year,while 4,500 companies resumed operations.

Foreign reserves approximated 57 billion USD. Meanwhile, relevant agencies alsopaid attention to cultural and social issues, particularly in disadvantaged anddisaster-hit areas, the Government leader added.

At the meeting, he told ministries, sectors andlocalities not to be complacent about the achievements in January and continuethe strong determination shown in the final months of 2017 right in the firstquarter of this year, citing the indefatigable spirit of U23 Vietnam, which performed a miracle reachingthe final at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U23 Championship in January2018.

Regarding the severe cold in the northern regionamid the Lunar New Year festival (Tet) nearing, he asked relevant agencies topay attention to people’s health and agricultural activities.

They have to ensure goods supply, social andtraffic safety, and fire prevention during Tet, the biggest traditionalfestival. Meanwhile, State agencies must be responsible for managing festivalsafter the holiday, which falls in mid-February.

PM Phuc noted a high growth rate, 0.51 percent,in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in the reviewed month compared to the sameperiod of 2017, requesting closer coordination in rising electricity andeducation and healthcare service prices to keep CPI expansion of less than 4percent in 2018.

During the meeting, the Government is set to discuss several issues, includinga report on the socio-economic situation in January, the implementation of theGovernment’s Resolution 01 on key tasks and solutions steering the realisationof the socio-economic development and State budget plans for 2018, the law andordinance making programme, a draft resolution on setting up a committee formanagement of State capital at enterprises, and investment mechanisms andpolicies for the North-South Expressway. -VNA