HCM City economy hit by COVID-19, things to worsen, warns local officials

Ho Chi Minh City’s economic growth in the first quarter was only 0.4 percentage points higher than in the same period last year, Nguyen Thanh Phong, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, told a recent online meeting.
HCM City economy hit by COVID-19, things to worsen, warns local officials ảnh 1An aerial view of HCM City (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNS/VNA) –Ho Chi Minh City’s economic growth in the first quarter was only 0.4 percentagepoints higher than in the same period last year, Nguyen Thanh Phong, Chairmanof the municipal People’s Committee, told a recent online meeting.

The COVID-19 pandemic isexpected to have a huge impact on the city’s economy from the second quarteronwards since enterprises have begun to see decrease of orders from majorexport markets, he said.

The city needs to come up withsolutions to keep its economy afloat, he added.

It has rolled out policies tosustain its economy including financial assistance for people facingdifficulties due to the outbreak and workers who have lost their jobs.

Phong said relevant agenciesshould ensure the money reaches the beneficiaries in a timely manner.

They also need to conductsurveys on what companies and home-based businesses need to mitigate theirdifficulties and set up criteria for priority, he said.

The city would continue toreduce red tape to ensure the circulation of goods, he promised.

He instructed relevant agenciesto model economic development scenarios for each quarter and the whole year,assess and forecast growth prospects for each industry and sector and then comeup with solutions to speed up development.

They also should inspect enterprisesto ensure they comply with all safety criteria announced by authorities, hesaid.

HCM City plans to set up 35 newcooperatives this year, which will add 0.5 percentage points to its economicgrowth.

They include cooperatives tomanage markets, especially wholesale markets, and provide services touniversities, colleges and vocational schools.

Besides, efficientco-operatives will get assistance to improve their quality while inefficientones will be shut down. All co-operatives will be encouraged toadopt IT.

The city will seek to establishsynergies between co-operatives in the commercial and agricultural sectors.

More people returning fromabroad

HCM City will have nearly 2,000people returning from other countries in the next several days.

Secretary of the municipal PartyCommittee Nguyen Thien Nhan instructed relevant agencies to take preventivemeasures to ensure they do not transmit COVID-19.

The city will also welcomethousands of experts, engineers, entrepreneurs, and tourists from othercountries every day.

It will have to arrange forquarantine space for 4,000 people, Nhan said.

Moreover, with the rainy seasonbeginning soon, relevant agencies also need to strengthen preventive measuresagainst dengue fever and other diseases at quarantine areas, he said.

The city has taken measures todetect and isolate all possible sources of transmission from other countries,he said.

Nevertheless, the public shouldtake all possible measures to protect themselves against infection, he warned.

On April 27, 300 students areexpected to return from the US. They will be quarantined once they land atTan Son Nhat International Airport./.
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