The draft resolution aims to promptly remove difficulties, obstacles and bottlenecks hindering production and business activities of enterprises and minimize the number of enterprises that have to temporarily close, dissolve or go bankrupt due to the impact of the epidemic.

The specific targets by the end of 2021: about 1 million turns of businesses and customers to receive credit support; 160,000 enterprises to benefit from extension, reduction of taxes, fees and land rents; about 50,000 enterprises to resume operation; hundreds of thousands of businesses to benefit from policies on reducing electricity, water, telecommunications charges, policies to assist employees, employers, and labor training.

To promptly remove difficulties and problems for businesses, the draft resolution proposes four main groups of tasks and solutions.

1. Implement flexible and effective measures to prevent and control the Covid-19 pandemic, creating conditions for businesses to stabilize and maintain production and business activities.

2. Ensure smooth and efficient circulation of goods, prevent disruptions in supply chains and value chains.

3. Assist businesses to cut costs and remove difficulties in cash flow for them.

4. Remove difficulties in terms of labor and experts.

The draft resolutions also consider the proposal of most businesses and business associations to add employees of enterprises to the list of people prioritized for vaccination in key economic regions, economic zones, industrial parks and industrial clusters, as well as people working in a number of high-contact fields in order to maintain production and business activities, ensure order fulfillment progress, and prevent supply chain disruptions.

A current problem is the issue of granting and extending work permits for foreign experts in Vietnam; extra working time; and medical isolation procedures for localities to receive incoming and returning workers.

This is a valid and reasonable recommendation, so the draft resolution stipulates that relevant ministries, agencies and localities should study, adjust and supplement regulations in the direction of flexibly applying regulations and conditions suitable for the new context.

The draft resolution also assigns the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to promote "vaccine diplomacy and consider mutual recognition of "vaccine passports" with other countries and territories in order to open the economy when the pandemic is controlled.

Luong Bang

Stronger solutions needed to support businesses

The State Bank of Vietnam and the Government must offer stronger solutions to resolve the current problems pertaining to debt structuring, interest rate reduction, and support to businesses facing crisis. 

HCM City asks for $1.2 billion to support Covid-19-affected people

According to the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, the city has several million households who need assistance, with a budget of nearly VND28 trillion (around $1.2 billion).