Prime Minister: Resolve consumption difficulties, avoiding blockage for agricultural products

Agriculture as a foundation

On September 6th, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the Government regular meeting of August 2021.

The socio-economic situation in the first eight months of 2021 is greatly affected by the complicated, fast and unpredictable pandemic, taking countries by surprise, including Vietnam.

According to the Prime Minister, in the past 8 months, the macro-economy was stable, inflation was controlled, CPI in August increased by 0.25% compared to July; 8 months' average increased by 1.79% over the same period, the lowest since 2016. Currency, credit and foreign exchange markets were also stable; interest rates continue the downward trend.

Although budget revenue decreased in recent months due to impact of the pandemic, it has reached nearly 75% of the estimate in 8 months, an increase of more than 14% over the same period, ensuring expenditure, especially for the prevention and control of Covid-19 and to support the people.

Agricultural, forestry and fishery production is good; food security is guaranteed; Agriculture is the solid foundation of the economy in this trying time. Industrial production index in 8 months increased by 5.6%, of which some localities increased at a high rate such as Ninh Thuan with a 34.1% increase; Nghe An  23.1%; Hai Phong 20.6%; Bac Ninh 9.8%...

Total import and export turnover of goods in 8 months increased by 27.2% (export increased by 21.2%). The domestic market is focused; e-commerce, non-cash payment thrives.

FDI capital reached more than 11.58 billion USD, up by 2%. Application of information technology has been promoted, especially in disease prevention and control and many other fields such as education, health, administration, services...

The work of perfecting institutions, administrative reform, improving investment and business environment continues to receive attention and direction, especially the contents under the authority of the Government. The Government will issue a Resolution on resolving difficulties for production business and supporting business development.

All levels and branches focus on ensuring social security and people's life, although yet to meet the wishes and requirements.

Currently, about 15 million workers are supported under Resolution 68 with a total amount of VND 8,400 billion; supporting 1.2 million freelance workers with an amount of more than 2,100 billion VND; 37,000 business households received support.

Exported 134,000 tons of rice to support people facing difficulties due to the pandemic; deployed 2 million social security bags. Localities have prioritized allocating resources to support people and businesses in the area. The Fatherland Front in 63/63 provinces and cities mobilized donation of nearly VND 7,000 billion from organizations and individuals.

However, in addition to the achieved results, the Prime Minister also pointed out many difficulties, challenges and limitations that need to be detected in time, listen and understand the opinions of the people and experts for solutions.

Accordingly, many localities had to prolong quarantine, seriously affecting people's lives, disrupting many socio-economic activities and production business activities of businesses.

Total retail sales of consumer goods and services decreased, disbursement of public investment capital was slow, so far it has only reached 40.6% of the plan, of which foreign capital reached 7.94%. People's lives are tough. The number of newly registered businesses decreased; security and order in some areas has potential complicated factors...

The initiative, creativity and flexibility of all levels, branches and localities are not commensurate with the situation. Implementation still needs improvement. Not actively taking advantage of opportunities for digital transformation, data connection is not ideal.

Good pandemic control is the decisive factor for economic recovery

In order to achieve the highest level of targets planned for 2021, the Prime Minister emphasized that the highest priority should be given to early pandemic control, and at the same time, gradually restore production and business activities in pandemic-controlled areas. Good pandemic control is the decisive factor for economic recovery.

The Prime Minister reiterated that with sacrificed economic development, localities implementing social distancing must control the pandemic according to the criteria of the Ministry of Health, bring the whole country to a state of "new normal" and determined to control the pandemic in September.

The Prime Minister requested to develop a scenario for economic recovery and growth when vaccination is widespread. Operate in a harmonious, reasonable and effective manner between monetary, fiscal and other policies, maintaining macro stability, controlling inflation, ensuring major balances, keeping social security and supply chain unbroken.

Urgently handle weak credit institutions, choose 1-2 organizations first to set examples. Strengthening financial and budgetary discipline; all levels, branches, agencies and units thoroughly save money to focus resources for pandemic prevention and control. Maintain a plan for State budget management suitable to the specific situation, both meeting urgent needs and solving long-term problems.

“There must be collection measures suitable for people and businesses facing difficulties, find a better approach, especially promoting digital transformation, online tax collection to avoid loss of revenue and comtrol the pandemic", the Prime Minister noted.

Expeditiously implement the Government's Resolution on supporting businesses and cooperatives in the context of the pandemic after it is issued. Focus on speeding up the revision of overlapping, contradictory legal regulations, inconsistent with reality, creating difficulties and obstacles to investment, production and business activities. All levels and sectors actively receive, handle and resolve difficulties and obstacles arising from the pandemic for businesses.

Regarding maintaining and promoting production and business so as not to break the value chain, production and supply chain, the Prime Minister requested to resolve difficulties in consumption, avoiding blockage for agricultural products; Focus on improving storage and preservation capacity of agricultural products, especially post-harvest technology; Ensuring the supply of plant varieties and livestock breeds, so as not to interrupt production; Implement synchronously, drastically and effectively the EC's recommendations to remove the "yellow card" (IUU) and develop towards sustainable marine fisheries development.