NA deputy delegations from Ninh Binh, Bac Kan, Phu Yen, and Ca Mau provinces discussing laws in groups during the ongoing 13th NA eighth session on November 4.
Discussing the draft law amending and supplementing a number of articles in the laws on taxation, deputies agreed on the addition of preferential income tax incentives for businesses involved in auxiliary industries.
However, deputies proposed the Government review the scope, objectives and list of products from auxiliary industries that require incentives to ensure they are in line with the country’s industrial development plans for the upcoming period.
Amending articles of the Law on Value Added Tax, lawmakers agreed on transferring fertiliser and animal feed from the current VAT rate of 5% to VAT exempt status.
Discussing the draft law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Excise Tax, Deputy Le Cong Dinh (Long An province) proposed raising the tax rate on tobacco products to over 75% and to over 100% by 2018. Vietnam is among 15 countries with the highest smoking rate and children can easily buy cigarettes at low prices.
Many delegates also suggested raising taxes for 20-proof alcohol and higher to 75%, instead of 65% as stipulated by the draft law. Similarly, for alcohol 20-proof and less, the tax rate should be increased to 50%, while the tax rate on beer should be at 70%.
Along with the increased excise tax, NA deputies also recommended the Government strengthen measures to prevent and combat smuggling, counterfeit and poor quality reproductions of the items mentioned above. Deputy Doan Nguyen Thuy Trang (Ho Chi Minh City) proposed adding soft drinks to the list of products applicable to excise tax, as research has shown that such drinks can have negative effects on human health.
Careful consideration for implementation of Long Thanh International Airport
Discussing investment policies for the projected Long Thanh International Airport, most of the NA deputies expressed their support for the construction of the international-standard airport. However, they demanded careful consideration of the timeline for implementation of the project.
Deputies Vo Trong Viet (Kon Tum province) and Most Venerable Thich Chon Thien (Thua Thien – Hue province) said the project should be approved during the NA eighth session as the airport would be finished within the next ten years. Implementing the plan step by step, would be beneficial as rates for land clearance and construction costs would be lower than in later stages. Neighbouring airports could face overloads in the coming years and increasing difficulties meeting the transportation needs of domestic and international routes. They suggested carrying out land clearance in preparation for the next steps, including mobilising investment.
Noting the urgent need and satisfactory conditions for implementing a major project with an investment of nearly US$19 billion, Deputies Giang A Chu (Yen Bai) and To Van Tam (Kon Tum) suggested carefully calculating total investment for Long Thanh Airport to avoid prediction miscalculation of funds as has happened in other key projects. Preparations must be thoroughly reviewed to avoid negative impacts on people's lives, as clearance of up to 5,000 hectares of land for the airport could lead to issues of compensation, resettlement, and employment for local people, they said.
Participants decided to revise the start date of the project as it is not appropriate in the current context of economic difficulties. They suggested the NA monitor the project from the start in conjunction with experts.
Yesterday afternoon, NA deputies also supported the ratification of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
After ratification of the two conventions, especially the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, NA deputies suggested continuing amending and supplementing the Law on Persons with Disabilities and making funds available to ensure facilities development and other necessary conditions to assist people with disabilities.
