On December 11, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc worked with the Ministry of Information and Communications and the Ministry of Science and Technology on restructuring and streamlining the apparatus.
According to Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Bui Hoang Phuong, the two ministries agreed to merge the Ministry of Information and Communications and the Ministry of Science and Technology to combine and optimize their strengths.
The Ministry of Information and Communications currently has more than 50,000 digital technology enterprises, merging them will create opportunities for development.
The two ministries also agreed to establish a joint Steering Committee to develop a merger project. The Steering Committee held its first meeting on December 10. The two ministries are coordinating to develop drafts and documents as requested by the Government, and the projects will be submitted to the Government, expected to be submitted tomorrow (December 12).
Regarding the apparatus, the Ministry of Information and Communications has 26 units, the Ministry of Science and Technology has 22 units, a total of 48 units. Currently, the 2 Ministries have agreed to reduce the number of units to 34 after the reorganization.
At the same time, it was agreed to have a roadmap to arrange a press agency of the ministry (currently there are 2 newspapers: Vietnamnet and VnExpress). The two ministries agreed on the principles of appropriate arrangement of personnel work, ensuring balance between the two sides.
Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc stated that the merger of the two ministries was an extremely correct decision to optimize resources, avoid overlapping and duplication of tasks, synchronize policies, and facilitate the development of science and technology and digital transformation.
"Entering a new era, we must strive. To strive, the apparatus must be streamlined and efficient, regular expenditures must be reduced, market activities must be increased, and technology must be applied vigorously," said the Deputy Prime Minister.
The Deputy Prime Minister highly appreciated the ministers of the two ministries and the two party committees for their good coordination, high consensus and unity on a number of issues, in accordance with the issued criteria, and for the common good, being willing to share and suffer losses.
Emphasizing that the merger must be carried out as quickly and effectively as possible while the apparatus still operates normally and achieves the goals and tasks set by the Steering Committee, according to the Deputy Prime Minister, this is a great revolution.
The proposed plan must be in harmony with the ministries and branches. After completing the merger, it will promote development and ensure work efficiency.
Regarding the name after the merger, the Deputy Prime Minister said that it is necessary to choose a name that is easy to remember, concise, meaningful, and has long-lasting vitality to build a brand.
The functions and tasks of the two ministries are very large and will be specified in the decree. Do not include too much in the name as it will be long. Only choose the nature of the "common denominator".
Suggesting the name Ministry of Technology and Communications, or Ministry of Science, Technology and Communications, the Deputy Prime Minister explained that it would do both technology and communications, thus still covering all fields.
In addition, the Deputy Prime Minister also gave his opinion on the arrangement of the two newspapers Vietnamnet and VnExpress, and other public service units (training schools, research institutes, universities).
The Deputy Prime Minister requested the two ministries to complete the project, develop an implementation plan, and draft a decree so that it can be implemented immediately after receiving instructions from the Central Steering Committee.
