Nghe An province has prepared 57.5 billion VND to stabilize prices for Tet (Lunar New Year).

(Baonghean.vn) - On the afternoon of December 6th, a central inter-ministerial working group led by Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Ho Thi Kim Thoa worked with the People's Committee of Nghe An province on ensuring the supply of goods for the end of 2016 and the Lunar New Year 2017.

Working with the delegation, on the Nghe An provincial side were Comrade Le Xuan Dai - Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, along with leaders of the Departments of Industry and Trade, Information and Communications, Finance, Agriculture and Rural Development, and the State Bank of Vietnam in Nghe An province.

As part of her working visit, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Ho Thi Kim Thoa surveyed several businesses involved in supplying and stabilizing goods during the Lunar New Year holiday in Vinh City.

To ensure a balance between supply and demand of essential goods, stabilize the commodity market during the end of 2016 and the Lunar New Year of Dinh Dau 2017, and contribute to economic stability and social welfare, the People's Committee of Nghe An province issued Plan No. 8240/UBND-KT (dated October 31, 2016) on stockpiling essential goods for the Lunar New Year of Dinh Dau 2017. Accordingly, it is projected that three main items will be stockpiled with a value of 57.5 billion VND: white rice, glutinous rice, and cooking oil.

Simultaneously, the Provincial People's Committee directed relevant agencies to strengthen market supervision and implement measures to control the distribution and procurement of essential agricultural products and foodstuffs, minimizing market disruption, speculation, hoarding, and price gouging. Credit institutions were also tasked with facilitating access to loans for businesses and production households to develop production for the Tet holiday market.

The head of the Department of Industry and Trade reported on the plan to stabilize prices of goods during the Lunar New Year of Dinh Dau 2017.

The fight against smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods has also been specifically assigned to the Department of Industry and Trade in coordination with relevant authorities. The Provincial People's Committee's plans to ensure the supply of goods during the Lunar New Year of Dinh Dau 2017 have been disseminated to departments, agencies, and districts, cities, and towns.

During the meeting, representatives from the Department of Industry and Trade and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development analyzed the production situation in Nghe An province, noting that some agricultural products and seafood harvesting faced difficulties due to unusual weather patterns; and that the connection between production and consumption remained inadequate. The Provincial People's Committee also requested the Ministry of Industry and Trade and other ministries and agencies to pay attention to policies supporting preferential capital for businesses to develop production and business; and requested the Government to provide support policies for fishermen in Nghe An affected by the environmental pollution incident in the central provinces.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Ho Thi Kim Thoa spoke at the working session. She noted that the province should pay attention to solutions for stabilizing commodity prices and minimizing the spread of misinformation during the Tet holiday.

On behalf of the delegation, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Ho Thi Kim Thoa highly appreciated the efforts of all levels and sectors in Nghe An province in ensuring the supply of goods during the Lunar New Year. The Deputy Minister also requested the province to more accurately assess the supply and demand of goods, especially essential items, in order to proactively develop plans or propose measures to competent authorities to ensure a balance between supply and demand, stabilize the market, and prevent shortages, disruptions in supply, or surpluses of goods after Tet.

The Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade also noted that the province needs to have appropriate policies regarding stockpiling and price stabilization, support businesses, and be prepared with plans to limit and handle false information related to the market during the Tet holiday.

Comrade Le Xuan Dai, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, spoke at the meeting, outlining proposed plans to stabilize commodity prices during the Lunar New Year holiday.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Le Xuan Dai, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, acknowledged the directives from the Ministry of Industry and Trade and affirmed that the province will continue to study the lessons learned from other localities to effectively stabilize commodity prices during the Tet holiday. The province is also considering adding more essential goods to the list of items to be stockpiled and stabilized during the 2017 Lunar New Year (Year of the Rooster).

Nguyen Son