Government issues Resolution on support for businesses

The government issued Resolution No. 105/NQ-CP on September 9 on supporting businesses, cooperatives, and business households as the Covid-19 pandemic lingers.

It directed the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs (MoLISA) to coordinate with other ministries and agencies in introducing policies relating to insurance premium support to help workers and businesses, cooperatives, and others employers. The Ministry of Transport (MoT) will coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies to review service pricing policies related to aviation, to support airlines negatively affected by the pandemic.

The Ministry of Finance (MoF) will implement policies on relaxing and reducing taxes, fees, charges, and land rentals. The Prime Minister will extend the deadline for paying excise taxes on domestically-manufactured and assembled motor vehicles to the end of 2021. The MoF will also coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) on support for electricity payments in accordance with regulations. The MoIT will also work with shipping businesses to ensure transparency in freight rates and surcharges in addition to marine freight service charges.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (MoCST) in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and relevant ministries and agencies will soon grant a reduction of 80 per cent on the required travel services deposit to the end of 2023 and cut the processing time for deposit refunds from 60 days to 30 days.

In addition, the Resolution states that localities, based on their ability to balance their budgets and voluntarily mobilize organizations and individuals for Covid-19 prevention and control, support the Covid-19 testing costs of employees at businesses, cooperatives, and business households in their area. Localities are to consider reducing fees for using infrastructure works, services, and public utilities at border gates and seaports, etc.