1. Regarding the implementation of prioritized objectives of curbing inflation and stabilizing the macro-economy

- Prices and inflation: the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in January increased by 1.25% compared to December 2012 (up 7.07% compared to the same period of last year), which is an average level compared to the same period in previous years [1]; of which: prices of medicine and health services increased by 7.4% (in particular costs of health services up by 9.5%); restaurants and catering services rose by 1.34% (food up 1.96%); garment, headwear and footwear up 1.3%. Prices of postal services and telecommunications decreased by 0.05%.

January's CPI rise was attributable mainly to: (1) Price adjustments in health services with new health care prices taking effect in 10 provinces [2]; (2) Goods supply shortage, which was affected by the prolonged severe cold spell the northern provinces, difficulties in cattle and poultry breeding in recent time, coupled with psychological price increases often occurring prior to the Lunar New Year (Tet) festival, resulting in increasing prices of food and catering services; (3) Growing demand for clothes and footwear for the Lunar New Year (Tet) festival, which contributed to the rising prices of these products.

- State budget collection and expenditures: During the first 15 days of the month, total state budget collection reached VND25.7 trillion, equal to 3.1% of the yearly estimate while total state budget expenditures were estimated at VND33.85 trillion, equal to 3,5% of the yearly estimate.

- Imports and exports: Export value in January was estimated at US$10.1 billion, down 2.5% against the previous month but up 43.2% compared to the same period of last year; of which the foreign-invested sector (excluding crude oil) rose by 48.8%. Import turnover in January 2013 was estimated at US$9.9 billion, an increase of 0.4% compared to the previous month and up 42.3% against the same period of last year. Trade surplus January 2013 reached US$200 million, equal to approximately 2% of total exports. The situation showed export continued growing at a high level.

- State budget capital investment: In the first two weeks of the month, accumulative disbursement estimatedly totaled over VND5 trillion, equaling 2.9% of the annual plan. In January, the implemented foreign direct investment was estimated at US$420 million, up 5% compared to the same period of 2012; ODA capital disbursements reached US$ 100 million, equal to 2.2% of the plan (four projects were signed with a total value of US$187 million).

2. Regarding the implementation of economic growth target

- Industrial production: The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) in the month dropped by 3.2% compared to the previous month but up 21.1% against the same period of last year, of which the mining industry increased by 4.7%; processing and manufacturing, up 26.3%; production and distribution of electricity and gas rose by 20.7%; water supply, waste management and treatment up 10.3%.

IIP of some industries surged sharply over the same period of last year with the manufacturing of readymade clothes rose by 49.1%; footwear up 52.5%; production of communication equipment soared by 52.6%; and cattle, poultry and aquatic feed up 23.6%.

- Agriculture, forestry and fisheries: As of January 15, 2013, about 1,943 hectares  were grown with winter-spring rice, an increase of 4.6% over the same period; of this 59,000 hectares were in the north, equal to 65.6% of the same period of last year due to the impact of the prolonged severe cold weather.

- Animal husbandry: The prolonged severe cold weather in the north has affected the animal husbandry, causing a 4 % decrease in the number of cattle heads, a 1-2% down in pigs; and a 2-3% drop in poultry compared to the same period of 2012.

The volume of netted and farmed seafood in January was estimated at 376,100 tones, an increase of 3.3% compared to the same period of last year; with that from aquaculture growing at 0.8%; and that from fishing being inched up by 6.9%.

- Services: In the month, revenues from retail and consumer services hit VND209.5 trillion, up 8.1% compared to the same period in 2012; goods transportation up 9.6%; circulation of goods increased by 4.4%; passenger transportation rose by 12.5%; passenger transfer up 10.3% over the same period of last year; international arrivals to Viet Nam increased by about 6% against the previous month and 2% compared to the same period in 2012.

3. Regarding social security, health care, culture and other social sectors

- Labor and employment: In January 2013, job creation was estimated at approximately 130 thousand, of which exports accounted for about seven thousand employees.

- Traffic order and safety: From December 16, 2012 to January 15, 2013, the whole country had 972 cases of traffic accidents, killing 890 people and injuring 580 people. Compared to December 2012, the number of traffic accidents increased by 3.85%, the deaths by 3.97% and the injured by 6.3%. However, compared to the same period in 2012, the number of traffic accidents decreased by 6.18%, the deaths by 4.30%, the injured by 23.98%.

- The prevention of fire and explosion: In January 2013, the whole country had 182 cases of fire and explosion, an increase of 9.64% against the previous month, of which there were 180 fire cases, up 11.8 percent over the previous month, killing 9 people and injuring 9 people, damaging an estimate of VND25 billion; 2 explosion cases occurred, killing 2 people and injuring 5 others.

- Work to ensure social security, poverty reduction and other social sector continues to receive attention: The levels and sectors continue to positively deploy and successfully implement social welfare policies, such as: granting, at no charges, 18,999 tones of rice from the national reserve for local hunger relief to residents during the Lunar New Year and prior to 2013's crops in accordance with Decision No. 189/QD-TTg dated January 18, 2013 of the Prime Minister; deploy effective measures to prevent cold weather damage, reduce the damage to cattle, poultry and agricultural production; etc.

 [1] Compared to December of previous years, January's CPI from 2003 to 2013 are respectively: 0.9%; 1.1%; 1.1%; 1.2%; 1.05%; 2.38%; 0.32%; 1.36%; 1.74%; 1.0% and 1.25%.

[2] Dien Bien, Bac Kan, Thanh Hoa, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Quang Ngai, Da Nang, Dak Lak, Binh Duong and Tien Giang./.