Focus on promoting production and business; expand support for those facing difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic

On December 2, under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, the Government held a regular meeting in November 2021 to discuss the following contents: COVID-19 prevention and control work; socio-economic situation in November and 11 months; key directions and management in December and give opinions on the draft Resolution of the Government on key tasks and solutions to implement the socio-economic development plan and State budget estimate for 2022.

Speaking at the opening of the meeting,Prime Minister Pham Minh ChinhReviewing some events in November 2021, notably the successful Second Session of the 15th National Assembly and the National Cultural Conference; the very vibrant and effective foreign affairs activities of the Party and State leaders; the Government urgently and carefully prepared projects and reports to submit to the Politburo and the National Assembly. In particular, after nearly 2 months of implementing Resolution 128 of the Government on temporary regulations on safe and flexible adaptation and effective control of the epidemic, the socio-economic situation has improved with many bright spots. The Government and relevant agencies actively completed the drafting of the project on the Overall Strategy for COVID-19 Prevention and Control and the draft project on the Socio-Economic Recovery and Development Program.

In addition, in the face of natural disasters and heavy rains and floods occurring in some localities in the South Central and Central Highlands with complicated developments, on behalf of the Party and State leaders, the Prime Minister sent his deepest condolences to the relatives of the families of victims of natural disasters; shared the difficulties and losses of the Party Committee, government and people of the flood-affected localities. The Prime Minister requested ministries, branches and localities to strictly implement Official Dispatch No. 1659/CD-TTg dated November 30, 2021 on focusing on responding to and overcoming the consequences of floods.

Regarding COVID-19 prevention and control: At the meeting, Government members commented that Resolution 128/NQ-CP on safe, flexible adaptation and effective control of the COVID-19 epidemic was built, issued and implemented in a very timely, correct, practical and effective manner with the participation of the entire political system, the response and support of people and businesses. The Government has directed from the central to local levels to seriously implement Resolution 128 and Decision 4800 of the Ministry of Health; at the same time, focusing on removing difficulties, obstacles and shortcomings in the implementation process. Up to now, the epidemic has been basically controlled nationwide, creating trust for people and businesses to recover and develop the economy and society.

However, Government members also said that the epidemic situation is still complicated, the number of cases in the community tends to increase in many localities. In the coming time, there may continue to be chains of infection and the risk of spreading, in addition, the new Omicron variant has stronger infection and antibody capabilities.

Faced with that situation, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested ministries, branches and localities to continue to strictly implement Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP from the central to local levels; at the same time, closely follow reality, promptly amend and supplement inappropriate issues, ensuring consistent, focused and continuous leadership. The spirit is not to be subjective, negligent, or lose vigilance, but not to panic or be afraid. It is necessary to quickly develop scenarios and response plans; synthesize needs and organize the purchase and reserve of enough vaccines, drugs, biological products and medical equipment to prevent and fight the epidemic in localities.

Focus on completing the overall strategy for epidemic prevention and control in sync with the socio-economic recovery and development program, achieving the "dual goal" of both effectively preventing and controlling the epidemic and developing the socio-economy.

Regarding the socio-economic situation in November and 11 months of 2021, the Government unanimously agreed that in the difficult context, under the leadership and direction of the Politburo, the leaders of the Party, State, Government and Prime Minister have directed the drastic, flexible and effective implementation of many solutions to prevent and fight the epidemic, ensure social security and maintain and restore the socio-economic situation.

Along with controlling the epidemic, gradually opening up the economy, supply chains, production chains, and social activities are gradually resuming under new normal conditions, the socio-economic situation has changed positively and continues to improve. Notably, the macro economy continues to be stable, inflation is low, and major balances are guaranteed. The CPI in November increased by 0.32% compared to October; 11 months increased by 1.84% over the same period, the lowest since 2016. The monetary market and exchange rates are stable, and interest rates continue to maintain a low level.

Industrial production recovered in most localities, especially in the South; the index of industrial production (IIP) in November increased by 5.5% compared to the previous month, and by 3.6% in 11 months. Agriculture, forestry and fishery developed stably. Total import and export turnover of goods in 11 months reached nearly 600 billion USD, up 22.3%, of which exports increased by 17.5%; November was the third consecutive month of trade surplus, contributing to the 11-month trade surplus of 225 million USD. Total retail sales of goods and service revenue in November increased by 6.2% compared to the previous month.

State budget revenue in 11 months increased by 8.9% over the same period in 2020, equal to 103.4% of the year's estimate.

The number of newly registered enterprises in November increased by 44.6% and 38% in capital, the number of enterprises returning to operation increased by 15.2% compared to October; in 11 months, there were 146,100 newly established and returning enterprises.

Social security work has been implemented synchronously and effectively. Up to now, more than 28 million beneficiaries have been supported according to Resolution 68, with a total disbursement of nearly 29 trillion VND. Social order and safety have been ensured; national defense and security have been maintained.

However, Government members also said that, in addition to the positive results achieved, our country still has to face many difficulties and challenges, especially the COVID-19 epidemic is still complicated and unpredictable (the number of infections in the community has continuously increased in recent days); ensuring major balances and maintaining macroeconomic stability still has many potential risks; inflation is under pressure from rising prices of raw materials and fuels, logistics costs; disbursement of public investment capital is slow; many businesses are trying to restore production and business but still face difficulties due to lack of labor, raw materials and capital;...

Concluding the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested ministries, branches and localities to resolutely, synchronously and effectively implement the set goals, tasks and solutions, paying attention to flexibly managing monetary policy and closely coordinating with fiscal policy to maintain macroeconomic stability and support economic growth. Accelerate the implementation and disbursement of public investment capital.(The Prime Minister established 6 working groups headed by 4 Deputy Prime Ministers and 2 Ministers to inspect and urge the disbursement of public investment in ministries, branches and localities).Focus on promoting production and business, promoting administrative procedure reform to promptly remove obstacles and create conditions for businesses to overcome difficulties and restore production and business; review and reduce fees and charges for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Provide timely and drastic direction for agricultural production and overcoming the consequences of natural disasters.

Continue to pilot the reception of international tourists, evaluate, draw lessons and refer to international experiences, and develop a tourism recovery program for 2022. Do a good job of forecasting, calculating and balancing to ensure there is no shortage of goods, especially during the 2022 New Year and the Year of the Tiger. Strengthen price management, control price-forming factors; focus on promoting exports, promoting brands, and expanding markets.

Effectively deploy solutions to attract workers to return to work, reduce unemployment; expand support for workers and employers facing difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Carefully prepare conditions for reopening schools, ensuring safety. Continue to synchronously and effectively implement solutions to ensure social security, care for the disadvantaged and the poor, and prepare for people to celebrate Tet safely and happily. Maintain political security, order, and social order; effectively prevent and combat all types of crimes; strengthen the work of preventing corruption and waste.

The Prime Minister also requested ministries, branches and localities to carefully prepare the Projects to report to the Politburo, the Projects to report to the National Assembly at the year-end session and effectively and substantially organize the work of summarizing the year 2021 and setting out directions and tasks for 2022.

Regarding the draft Resolution on the main tasks and solutions to implement the socio-economic development plan and state budget estimate for 2022, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested ministries and agencies, according to their assigned functions and tasks, to closely follow Conclusion No. 20-KL/TW dated October 16, 2021 of the 4th Central Conference, the Resolutions of the National Assembly on the socio-economic development plan and state budget estimate for 2022 to directly contribute comments to the draft Resolution; review and determine the tasks, project solutions and specific targets of the sectors and fields under their management, ensuring clarity, effectiveness and feasibility, and send them to the Ministry of Planning and Investment before December 10, 2021. Request the Ministry of Planning and Investment to synthesize, absorb and fully explain the opinions of Government members, opinions of relevant ministries and agencies, urgently complete the draft Resolution, report to the Government Standing Committee for comments before submitting it for comments at the Government Conference with localities in December 2021./.