“Fighting the pandemic like fighting the enemy”
In 2021, Vietnam had to cope with increasingly complicated developments of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Delta variant of the coronavirus caused heavy losses for the economy and the Vietnamese people. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest economic center, suffered particularly heavy damage.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s online meeting with the business community and localities on further support for businesses amid the Covid-19 pandemic
Covid-19 also directly attacked major industrial and agricultural production centers, such as the northern provinces of Bac Giang and Hai Duong, the southeastern region and many other economic hubs, disrupting manufacturing and supply chains.
In this context, the prime minister and government officials, ministries and sectors joined localities nationwide in efforts to “fight the pandemic like fighting the enemy”, with top priority given to protecting people’s health, while at the same time implementing flexible solutions to maintain economic growth.
The prime minister headed the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control and a special working group was established to ease difficulties for businesses and people hit by the pandemic. The National Assembly gave the government special rights to mobilize all possible resources for pandemic prevention. Ministries, sectors, unions and people nationwide made joint efforts to seek access to Covid-19 vaccines in order to prevent the spread of the pandemic. The prime minister and leaders of ministries conducted dialogues with pandemic prevention and control forces at the grassroots level to provide them with concrete guidance.
Important changes
Government Resolution 128/NQ-CP marked important changes in the way Vietnam combatted the pandemic, shifting to the status of “safe adaptation to and flexible control of Covid-19”.
Distributing food relief to people in Ho Chi Minh City
Following a decline in the third quarter, the Vietnamese economy quickly regained its growth momentum. Foreign trade value reached nearly US$670 billion; state budget revenues exceeded annual estimates; public investment disbursement was accelerated; and inflation was curbed below the four percent level allowed by the National Assembly. The domestic market was stable. Supply chains were maintained. Vietnam remained an attractive destination for foreign investors.
These results were particularly significant given the Covid-19 complications.
The business community contributed significantly to these results, with the government and prime minister accompanying and supporting businesses, whether state-owned, private or foreign invested companies.
The prime minister and government officials met with business representatives and listened to their proposals before putting in place appropriate, timely policies to help them overcome difficulties.
At all his meetings with businesses and investors, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed the strong commitment of the government and localities to harmonizing their interests and sharing risks with them.
The Vietnamese government continues to encourage foreign businesses to expand operations in Vietnam, promoting the message “together, we can go further”.
Quynh Anh
