 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (C) chairs an online national conference with localities discussing measures to cope with the COVID-19 epidemic, April 10, 2020 |
PM Phuc told the conference that the COVID-19 epidemic has taken a heavy toll on countries around the globe, including Vietnam. The epidemic has greatly affected multiple sectors in Vietnam, which has an open economy. He added though the Vietnam’s growth of 3.82 percent in the first quarter was the highest in the region, it was nonetheless a ten-year low.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said: “This conference can be called four-in-one or all-in-one online conference to mobilize all national resources with a strong determination and ardent patriotism of the Vietnamese to win the battle against COVID-19 and overcome difficulties in production and life. Our task is to prevent the disease from further spreading. We must turn risk into opportunity. After the epidemic ends, we must revive our economy to make up for losses caused by COVID-19 and implement a vision on an independent and self-reliant Vietnam.”
PM Phuc asked ministries, sectors, and localities to help amend administrative procedures and regulations to create growth momentum. He said: “We want to emphasize the role of economic locomotives and key economic zones. Hai Phong’s GDP grew 15% in the first quarter, while Hanoi’s GDP grew more than 3.7% and Ho Chi Minh City only 1%. I call on leaders of localities to join efforts with the government and the whole country to accomplish socio-economic tasks. We also underscore the role of business in job creation and growth. We need a program to protect our business system, including cooperatives.”
The PM ordered full disbursement of 28 billion USD of public investment for 2019 and 2020. He urged the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs to work out measures to distribute the 2.4 billion USD rescue package for people affected by COVID-19.
Closing the conference, PM Phuc called on Vietnamese authority and people to triple efforts to unanimously and wholeheartedly defeat the epidemic.