Government seek ways to reach targets amidst COVID-19 pandemic

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chaired the one-day regular cabinet meeting for July on August 3, focusing on measures to fulfil socio-economic goals amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the meeting. (Photo: VGP)
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the meeting. (Photo: VGP)

PM Phuc noted that after 99 days of no COVID-19 community infection, a new outbreak appeared in late July, affecting some localities, especially Da Nang city and Quang Nam and Dak Lak provinces, with several deaths.

He underlined the determination of the Government to once again contain the pandemic, and noted that necessary resources have been mobilised to serve the epidemic control efforts in major hotbeds, including the dispatch of thousands of medical workers from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang.

The Government leader also hailed the efforts of medical staff as well as localities in attempting to extinguish the pandemic.

Stressing the policy of not allowing major interruption to economic activities, the PM said various measures have been rolled out to remove difficulties, while public investment disbursements have been sped up, resulting in a record rise in the disbursed amount for July.

He said that despite the global economic crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as strategic competition among world powers, major international organisations and financial institutions still make optimistic assessments about the Vietnamese economy.

The World Bank forecast on July 30 that Vietnam will come fifth in the world in 2020 in terms of economic growth with 2.8%, while The Economist magazine called Vietnam as a preferred hub for investors and an important part of the world technology supply chain. These observations show the confidence of investors and financial institutions in the Vietnamese economy, according to the PM.

He highlighted the stable macro-economic situation and growing agriculture, industry and service sectors, as well as positive signs in foreign direct investment with 14.4% growth in July and the disbursement of over US$10.1 billion. Meanwhile, social welfare was ensured, as was social security, order and safety, defence and foreign relations.

July also witnessed a strong recovery in the number of newly-formed businesses, the PM said, asking Government members to seek ways to maintain the operation of newly-established businesses, especially in the major hubs of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

In the second quarter and the first half of 2020, 30.8 million people were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including 2.4 million workers who became unemployed. The ratio of unemployment rose 2.73% across the whole country and specifically 4.46% in urban areas. About 17 million people suffered from income reduction due to the pandemic.

Amidst the effects of the second wave of COVID-19, the PM has instructed the Government to outline policies for the remaining five months of 2020, especially those in relation to social welfare and labourers.