Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has emphasized the need to ensure the disbursement of public investment capital in 2025, while also improving investment quality, preventing misconduct and wastefulness, and maximizing the role of public investment as a key driver of economic growth

Speaking at the nationwide conference on public investment promotion held on the afternoon of September 19, he noted that public investment disbursement in 2025 has made significant progress, achieving better results than the same period in 2024. However, there are still bottlenecks and obstacles, and the outcomes remain far from the set targets.

In the first eight months of the year, the total public investment capital disbursed nationwide reached VND409 trillion ($15.5 billion), equivalent to 46.3% of the plan assigned by the Prime Minister. This represents an increase of 5.9 percentage points and nearly VND135.3 trillion ($5.13 billion) compared to the same period in 2024.

Nine ministries and central agencies, along with 22 localities, recorded estimated disbursement rates above the national average. Among them, several ministries and provinces with large assigned plans achieved high disbursement rates, including the Ministry of National Defense (54.5%), the Ministry of Public Security (64.8%), and the provinces of Thanh Hoa (90.6%), Ninh Binh (90.1%), Phu Tho (74.08%), Bac Ninh (64.6%), and Gia Lai (62.8%). Disbursement for the national target programs reached 52.4% of the assigned plan.

PM Chinh acknowledged that the disbursement of public investment capital still faces numerous shortcomings and challenges. These include: slow progress in compensation, site clearance, and resettlement; ineffective resolution of material supply issues; and rising prices of construction materials compared to bidding estimates, leading to cost overruns.

He also pointed out persistent problems in bidding procedures, inspection, and oversight. The handling of violations in the management and use of public investment capital remains sluggish and lacks sufficient rigor.

Furthermore, the PM noted delays in implementing conclusions and directives from the Government and the Prime Minister in certain localities. He criticized the lack of timely and proactive communication, which has hindered public consensus and support.

To ensure 100% disbursement of public investment capital in 2025, the PM called on ministries, central agencies, and local authorities to strictly implement Government resolutions, directives, official dispatches, and other instructions from Government leaders regarding the allocation and disbursement of public investment funds.

PM Chinh stressed the urgent need to accelerate public investment with greater determination and efficiency, while enhancing its quality and preventing corruption, misconduct, and wastefulness. He emphasized that public investment must serve as a key engine of growth—acting as seed capital to catalyze and mobilize all social resources, thereby driving economic expansion, generating employment and livelihoods, and improving both the material and spiritual well-being of the people.

He directed relevant agencies to promptly review and categorize projects based on disbursement progress, establish monthly and quarterly implementation schedules, and allocate the VND38.4 trillion ($1.45 billion) already approved by the Government. Funds from slow-moving projects must be reallocated to those demonstrating strong disbursement capacity, while underperforming project investors, management boards, and contractors will be subject to strict accountability measures.

He also instructed ministries and local authorities to expedite site clearance, strengthen legal guidance, promptly report issues beyond their jurisdiction, and enhance the effectiveness of the PM’s working groups tasked with resolving bottlenecks and promoting growth.