Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh addresses a government meeting with businesses, business associations, and localities on August 8, 2021 (Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac)

In July Vietnam had more than 840,000 businesses. The spreading COVID-19 outbreak has caused difficulties for them, including a sharp drop in orders, productivity, and revenues, and a disruption of sales and production chains and exports. Product distribution has been badly disrupted by social distancing measures and lockdowns. Prolonged social distancing has also created a shortage of workers.

Prompt intervention

The government has implemented a number of policies and solutions to alleviate the problems of businesses and help them maintain production. It has allocated resources, implemented financial incentives, including tax reductions and exemptions and interest rate reductions, and reduced the price of water, electricity, and communications. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has pledged to do everything within his authority to give businesses and people further help. 

Government is doing its utmost

At an online national conference on ways to help businesses and boost their production during the pandemic,

Prime Minister Chinh said: 'The government is making an all-out effort. The Party, State and Government are promoting a spirit of harmonizing interests and sharing risks. The Prime Minister will set up a special working group to alleviate the problems of businesses, delegate authority, and assign responsibility. The Ministry of Planning and Investment needs to closely monitor the current business situation in order to advise the Government and the Prime Minister on the optimal policies. The Ministry of Health needs to accelerate vaccination and refine its disease prevention and control process to enable businesses to keep operating. The Ministry of Finance needs to implement emergency tax reduction and exemption measures, pay attention to the securities market, and mobilize non-state resources. '

The Government has asked localities to ensure distribution of essential goods, maintain supply chains, and create conditions that will boost economic growth.

Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The said,'There’s no impediment to goods transportation. We have provided QR codes for export goods, essential goods, and aid packages to ensure their smooth flow. '

The Government and local administrations are working closely with businesses and mobilizing their contributions in the fight against COVID-19. The Government hopes Vietnamese businesses will eventually overcome their difficulties and resume their vital support of national development.