Government convenes April regular meeting PM Nguyen Tan Dung chaired the Cabinet’s monthly meeting in Ha Noi on April 25.   The Cabinet will hear and discuss reports on April’s socio-economic situation and the first four months of the year and the implementation of the Government’s resolution on issuing government bonds in international markets to 2020. They will also hear other reports on budget allocation for science and technology in 2015, the implementation of the national target program on poverty reduction in the 2011-2015 period to set another program for the 2016-2020 period, and medical insurance for disadvantaged people and households with medium incomes from agriculture, forestry, fisheries and salt-making. In addition, the Government will hear reports on e-govenment realization, Cabinet members’ ideas on a draft decree specifying several articles in the Law on Vocational Education, and the Government’s draft decree on establising the Viet Nam-Republic of Korea Technology and Science Institute. According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment’s report, the macroeconomy remained stable in the first four months of the year and the consumer price index was low, helping the economy develop sustainably. Credit balance continued to increase; interest rates, exchange rates and the foreign exchange market were generally stable; disbursement of ODA and prioritized funds was  fairly high; FDI attraction saw positive changes; and industry, particularly the processing manufacturing industries, maintained high growth rate. The service sector grew robustly; the total volume of retail goods and services continued to increase, showing positive signs of purchasing power recovery; and strong exports continued. Business development was positive as the number of businesses facing difficulties, operation suspension and dissolution nationwide accounted for 4.2% of operating businesses, compared to the regular rate of 12-14%. Meanwhile, social welfare continued to be ensured and political security and social order were maintained. VGP