Government setting up working group to help businesses during pandemic

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told an online government conference on August 8 with business leaders, enterprise representatives, business associations, ministries, and localities that the government is setting up a working group to help businesses overcome difficulties from Covid-19.
Many ministries will be members of the working group, with each assigned a designated responsibility and tasks appropriate to their functions and roles, thereby ensuring the most comprehensive support is offered.

He assigned the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) as the standing member of the Special Working Group (SWG), to establish the difficulties facing enterprises and advise the government and the Prime Minister on possible solutions. He also assigned the Ministry of Health (MoH) to cooperate with localities and enterprises in the vaccination process, especially in large cities and provinces with many industrial parks.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) will introduce tax exemptions and reductions to support businesses and individuals affected by the pandemic. To promote medium and long-term capital, reduce the sizeable proportion of capital going into the banking system, and avoid risks for the economy, the ministry will also propose solutions to develop the stock market.

The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA), meanwhile, will implement supportive measures to assist employees and enterprises.
The Ministry of Construction (MoC) will research and identify a plan on the construction of housing areas for workers at industrial parks and export processing zones in economic zones. Legal barriers to such construction will be reported to the National Assembly (NA) and the Standing Committee for solutions and settlement.

He also assigned the Ministry of Transport (MoT), the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) with ensuring the distribution of goods. MoT will identify solutions to ensure that goods can be distributed domestically and internationally. MoIT will in charge of linking goods consumption, while MARD will provide solutions to maintaining production, consumption, and especially the supply of raw materials for the continuous production of consumer products in areas hit by social distancing.

The Ministry of Information and Communication (MoIC) will take charge of digital and technical measures that will be implemented during pandemic prevention efforts.

In regard to businesses, the Prime Minister suggested improvements to governance, the quality of operations, and the ability to withstand internal and external shocks for sustainable and methodical development. He also requested that localities accelerate the implementation of support policies already introduced; apply flexible and effective measures to prevent and control Covid-19, in order to create conditions for eligible enterprises to stabilize and maintain production and business; minimize inspection activities for the time being; and coordinate with ministries, sectors and associations to directly support production and business enterprises during the pandemic. The Prime Minister noted that “the government’s policies must be implemented consistently, and if there are problems in practice, localities should propose adjustments, not arbitrarily implement and issue sub-licenses.”

He once again emphasized that the government and local authorities will accompany and support the business community and are grateful for the community’s contribution to helping the country get through difficult times. FDI enterprises, who did not hesitate to respond to calls for help from the government, were also mentioned.

“At any time and especially in difficult times, the government affirms the spirit of innovation, integrity, and action, serving people and businesses for the well-being and happiness of the people,” he emphasized. “The government will also follow the spirit of less words and more action and focus on efficiency, not ostentatiousness.”

According to the Prime Minister, despite the challenges, this is the time for Vietnam to test its abilities to overcome difficulties. He believes that Vietnamese business leaders will not only overcome Covid-19 but also create their own brand, contributing to the development of the country.