(VOVworld) - Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on Sunday met with 30 leading economists to assess socio-economic performance and management in the first quarter of this year. Experts spoke highly of the government’s efforts to control inflation, stabilize macro-economy, maintain reasonable growth and ensure social welfare. They said March inflation rose by only 0.16%, the lowest increase over the past 2 years. The economists also praised the State Bank of Vietnam for its efficient monetary policies, including reducing lending interest rates, dealing with liquidity of commercial banks and restructuring the banking system. But they suggested that the government continue assist small and medium sized enterprises as former Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam Le Duc Thuy put it: “The government should do more to ease the burdens of tax and costs for enterprises and people, rather than increasing taxes and fees. I think the recent tax reduction is not enough. Sets of measures should be worked out to please enterprises. For example, tax deferment period should be from 1 to 2 years, instead of 1 or 2 quarters.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung acknowledged economists’ responsible and frank feedbacks, which he said  aim to bring Vietnamese economy out of difficulties and move forward. The PM outlined the government’s policies: “We will consistently pursue the goal of inflation control, macro-economic stabilization, reasonable growth of 6%, micro-stabilization and social welfare”.

PM Dung said economists’ proposals will be discussed at the regular government meeting in April.