(VOVworld)- During an interview with Vietnam News Agency (VNA) on the threshold of the Lunar New Year, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong highlighted Vietnam’s achievements over the past year and the importance of renovating the growth model to boost national development. The Party leader said Party building needs to be carried out in parallel with economic development. He called for unity within the Party, the people, and the army.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong

Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong said the domestic and global situation posed both opportunities and challenges in 2016. Thanks to consensus, solidarity and resolve of the Party, people and army, Vietnam held many successful events, which were of great importance to national development.

2016’s achievements create motivation for Vietnam’s further growth in 2017

The Party leader cited the 12th National Party Congress and the election of deputies to the 14th National Assembly and all-level People’s Councils for 2016-2021. At its 12^th National Congress, the Communist Party of Vietnam showed its strong resolve to boost comprehensive national renovation and develop Vietnam into a modern industrial country, resolutely defend the homeland, and strengthen international integration. 2016 elections for the National Assembly and all-level People’s Councils were held in an open, democratic, and lawful manner. More than 99% of voters cast ballots demonstrating their sense of responsibility for the nation. Vietnam fine-tuned the state apparatus, maintained stability, and fulfilled many goals. As a result, Vietnam posted a good GDP growth rate of 6.21 percent in 2016, kept the macro-economy stable, controlled inflation, ensured economic balance, and recorded its fastest rise in foreign reserves. Mr. Trong noted external activities and international integration have been conducted in a comprehensive manner, intensifying Vietnam’s foreign relations and lifting its stature in the region and the world. He said Vietnam’s 2016 achievements created a motivation for further national growth in the near future.

Reforming growth model to ensure rapid, sustainable growth

In the interview, Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong said that the 12^th National Party Congress identified as key tasks improving growth quality, productivity, and economic competitiveness. The Party aims to comprehensively restructure the national economy in association with reforming the growth model. Mr. Trong said that growth model reforms aim to raise growth quality and ensure rapid and sustainable development in all economic, social and environmental spheres. He said Vietnam has to promote growth but not at all costs or by sacrificing the environment for economic gains. He stressed the need to improve people’s lives, promote social progress and equality, and ensure that everyone benefits from growth.

The Party leader said reforming the growth model needs to be connected with economic restructuring based on the potential and advantages of each locality. He said the investment and business environment should continue to be improved, in each locality, to incentivize start-ups pointing to the need to bolster regional connectivity to fully tap each locality’s potential and advantages in the service of fas and sustainable regional and national development.

Party building implemented in parallel with economic development

Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong called Party building a key and long-term task. The resolution of the 4^th Plenum of the 12^th Party Central Committee analyzed the “Self evolution” and “Self transformation” within the Party as well as legislative solutions to promote discipline and respect for law and deal with law violations.

He said Party building is a difficult and complex but vital task. He stressed that Party building must be conducted in tandem with fostering economic growth. The Party leader called on the Party, people and army to strengthen their solidarity and engage their patriotism and steadfastness, intelligence and traditions to realise the Resolution of the 12th National Party Congress, build an incorruptible and strong Party and work toward national prosperity and people’s happiness.