The National Assembly of Vietnam, the country's top legislature, approved Wednesday a resolution on a national socio-economic development plan for 2007, targeting a gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 8.2-8.5 percent.

The plan also includes an export turnover increase of 17.4 percent, an import turnover rise of 15.5 percent, and consumer price index growth to be lower than the economic growth, Vietnam News Agency reported.

The legislature plans to reduce Vietnam's poverty rate to 16 percent; create jobs for 1.6 million people, of whom 80,000 will work abroad; provide clean water to 67.2 percent of the rural population and 80 percent of the urban one; and lower the malnutrition rate of children under five to 22.3 percent.

To achieve the goals, the National Assembly proposed major solutions which center on improving the investment environment, encouraging the economic sector to invest in production and business, and ensuring timescales for key national projects. Vietnam will, next year, continue to boost agricultural and rural economic development, and intensify investment in disadvantaged regions to narrow the economic gap between localities.

The legislature requested the government to develop industries with competitive edges, supporting industries, information technology, and high-technology sectors; accelerate the restructure of state-owned enterprises; and improve management policies for the financial and monetary sector to actively curb inflation.

The 11th National Assembly on Wednesday closed its month-long 10th session, which was marked by the ratification of the country's accession to the World Trade Organization, and the approval of 11 laws. It also passed a resolution to dismiss a deputy from northern Thai Binh province, Mac Kim Ton, for abusing his position and power.

Vietnam's GDP, which grew 8.43 percent to 53 billion U.S. dollars, or GDP per capita of 640 dollars last year, increased 7.4 percent in the first half of this year, according to the country's General Statistics Office.

Source: Xinhua