On November 17, the National Assembly listened to the presentation and report on the review of the draft Law on National Reserves (amended).
Presenting the Government's proposal, Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang said that the draft law has been decentralized to the Minister of Finance and ministries and heads of ministerial-level agencies for decision and has clearly defined the authority of the Minister of Finance (state management of national reserves) to Ministers and heads of ministerial-level agencies.
The draft law has also assigned the Government to specify this content in detail and prescribe the content and order of deciding on the import and export of national reserve goods.
Regarding regulations on the purchase and sale of national reserve goods (Article 21), the draft law does not re-regulate and implement referral to apply existing laws. The Government stipulates the authority and order of buying and selling national reserve goods under the method of "Buying and selling national reserve goods directly to all subjects; selling for designation".
At the same time, it clearly stipulates the content of "Buying and selling national reserve goods managed by the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of law on national defense, security and related laws" and "National reserve goods for national defense and security shall only be sold for designation to the national defense and security sector, including enterprises directly serving national defense and security for production".
In order to have enough time for the Government and ministries and ministerial-level agencies to issue sufficient guiding documents, it is recommended that the National Reserve Law (amended) take effect from July 1, 2026.
Reviewing this content, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Committee Phan Van Mai said that the draft law has made an important step forward in promoting the socialization of national reserve activities, contributing to diversifying resources, improving the flexibility of national reserves to reduce the burden on the state budget.
However, the regulations on state policies on socializing national reserves in Article 4 of the new draft law are mainly "encouragement" and "creating conditions". There is still a lack of financial incentives such as tax and credit policies or regulations on the socialization of national reserves related to state secrets.
Propose that the drafting agency study and supplement regulations on incentives for taxes, finance, credit, mechanisms for repurchase and rotation of reserve goods, ensuring risk sharing and harmonious benefits between the State and enterprises.
Complete regulations on inspection, examination, supervision, and mechanisms for mobilizing non-budgetary resources to ensure the transparency and sustainability of national reserves.
Regarding the state budget spent on national reserves, it is recommended that the drafting agency complete regulations on spending authority; spending estimates; state budget spent on national reserve management activities; principles and management mechanisms, accounting for revenue from the use of strategic reserves for business with the goal of regulating the market.
