Workshop on overcoming economic disruptions and strengthening connectivity between localities

On the afternoon of October 13, the Central Theoretical Council coordinated with the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics to organize an online conference with 63 connecting points of provinces and cities across the country on economic recovery, flexible and safe adaptation to the Covid-19 pandemic, and strengthening connectivity between localities.

Comrade Pham Minh Chinh - Member of the Politburo, Prime Minister attended and delivered a speech at the workshop. Comrade Nguyen Xuan Thang - Member of the Politburo, Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council, Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics chaired the workshop; Attending were leaders of central ministries, branches, and international organizations.

Comrade Nguyen Van Thong - Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee chaired at Nghe An bridge point.

Economic recovery, safe adaptation to the pandemic

Panorama of the conference at Nghe An bridge. Photo: Quang An

Opening the workshop, comrade Nguyen Xuan Thang - Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics said that the epidemic has had a severe, prolonged and serious impact on the economy. Due to the epidemic, economic growth has slowed down, reaching the lowest level in many years, production, supply chain circulation and consumption have been interrupted, costs have increased; the internal capacity and resilience of the economy have decreased; businesses and people are facing difficulties. Therefore, building an economic recovery and development program, flexibly and safely adapting to the Covid-19 pandemic, and strengthening connections between localities is extremely necessary at present.

Affirming that the Workshop is an opportunity for localities to share experiences in epidemic prevention and economic development, the Director of Ho Chi Minh National Academy also noted that the reopening must be done firmly, not putting pressure on the health system. It is very important to clear transit points and avoid separation between localities. There must be solutions to avoid disruption of the labor force and ensure living conditions and safety for workers in epidemic conditions.

Comrade Nguyen Xuan Thang - Politburo member, Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council, Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics opened the workshop. Photo: Quang An

Next, Comrade Nguyen Chi Dung - Minister of Planning and Investment presented the report on economic recovery and pandemic adaptation 2021-2023.

With the view of striving to achieve the growth target of 6.5-7% for the 2021-2025 period, the Minister suggested that it is necessary to quickly overcome economic difficulties, promptly support businesses and people, promote domestic consumption and exports, remove bottlenecks in resources, including public investment, develop large cities, key economic zones, growth-driving sectors and fields, including new growth drivers...

The Minister proposed a framework of solutions consisting mainly of 6 component programs and 2 groups of solutions for risk management, information and propaganda. The 6 component programs include: Overall program on Covid-19 prevention and control and promoting economic opening; Program on tourism recovery, stimulating domestic consumption and promoting sustainable exports; Program on business recovery; Program on infrastructure development, unlocking resources for investment; Program on social security support and labor market development; Program on institutional reform, administrative reform, administrative procedures, improving capacity and operational efficiency of the state administrative apparatus.

Experts offer solutions to restore the economy after the pandemic. Photo: Quang An

Expected resources for implementation: from the state budget, foreign exchange reserve fund, enterprise capital, PPP, other mobilized sources... Regarding the state budget, increase spending savings, have a flexible adjustment mechanism between tasks, spending items, issue national bonds, government bonds, and resources managed by the State Bank.

Caring for businesses in the spirit of harmonious benefits and shared risks

At the workshop, delegates and experts focused on discussing and evaluating policies and experiences in supporting economic recovery of countries, proposing recommendations and requirements for Vietnam to adapt to new orders and structures of the world economy, and Vietnam's ability to participate in these orders and structures.

Enterprises in Bac Vinh Industrial Park deploy rapid Covid-19 tests for workers to ensure production. Photo: Thu Huyen

The opinions also assess the opportunities and challenges for Vietnam in the process of economic recovery. Recommendations on principles, requirements, time, scope, scale, objects and forms of support, assessment of the relationship of the recovery program with programs, plans and orientations for socio-economic development; clarification of what needs to be done to solve social problems...

Speaking at the conference,Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhraise the question of why we can adapt safely, flexibly, adapt but control the epidemic. We are hurt so we have to recover, but to recover we have to control the epidemic.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh concluded the workshop. Photo: Quang An

To control the epidemic in the context of insufficient vaccines, the Prime Minister proposed solutions, which are to continue implementing 5K, technology, vaccines and raising awareness and the role of people in epidemic prevention. It is necessary to strengthen risk management, control deaths, strengthen grassroots healthcare, create conditions for people to access grassroots healthcare as quickly and as soon as possible...

The head of the Government also frankly stated that businesses are facing many difficulties and challenges and need solutions to restore production. To restore the economy, monetary and fiscal policies need to be studied and changed appropriately and effectively.

"Restoring the economy requires focusing on building and restoring the labor market; reducing input costs for businesses, expanding the market, promoting EVFTA... The Government and localities need to sit down with businesses to find solutions in the spirit of harmonious benefits and shared risks" - the Prime Minister emphasized.

One issue that needs special attention is to effectively implement social security with a focus on the principle of "no one is lacking food or clothing, no policy beneficiaries are left out". Along with that, it is necessary to control security, safety, and public safety well to stabilize politics. Promote national solidarity to turn difficulties and challenges into opportunities. That is an opportunity for administrative reform, digital transformation, greening the economy, combating climate change...