Support package for post-pandemic socio-economic recovery crucial: lawmakers

Lawmakers debate a draft resolution on fiscal and monetary policies to support the programme on socio-economic recovery and development (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Many legislators have underlined the need to promptly launch a support package to help businesses overcome the difficulties brought on by COVID-19 while debating a draft resolution on fiscal and monetary policies, to support the programme on socio-economic recovery and development as part of the first extraordinary session of the 15th National Assembly.

During the online discussion on May 7, most of them agreed on the need to issue the resolution, saying it demonstrates the hope of people and businesses for a better future.

Increasing support for prioritised sectors

According to Tran Quoc Tuan, a representative from Tra Vinh province, the national economy is facing new challenges due to the complicated and unpredictable developments of COVID-19, along with a rise in input prices and a shortage of labourers, causing many difficulties for businesses.

He stressed the need to implement a socio-economic recovery and development programme with a scale that is large enough to create a breakthrough.

Tuan underlined that the issuance of the resolution is crucial to smooth the economic flow that is being hindered by COVID-19.

He proposed that the Government give more drastic directions on the supervision and inspection of the implementation of the scheme to avoid corruption, wastefulness and negative phenomenon.

Meanwhile, it is necessary to enhance the level of support so that it is prioritised, spearheaded and promising for sectors, as well as the construction of irrigation works, he stressed.

Binh Thuan province’s representative Nguyen Huu Thong said that tourism is one of the sectors that are hardest hit by COVID-19 with unprecedented difficulties. Therefore, he proposed that the NA and Government continue to allocate adequate resources from the State budget to the development of the transport infrastructure system, especially in major tourism destinations.

At the same time, it is necessary to design policies to restructure the tourism market, promote the domestic market and sketch out a roadmap for the safe opening of the tourism sector for international tourists, allowing localities to welcome foreign visitors with a safe tourism model. He also stressed the need to reduce land-use tax and land rent for large-scale projects in the tourism sector.

Suitable implementation time needed for each package

At the discussion, Nguyen Minh Tam, a representative from Quang Binh province held that the resolution will be historic, providing timely support to the economy, creating breakthroughs in recovery and laying a firm foundation for national development in the whole 2021-2025 period.

He said that the scheduled time for implementation of the scheme is suitable. However, he worries that two years may not enough to ensure that the economy absorbs all the influences of the policies, especially those related to capital construction. Therefore, he suggested that the NA consider a suitable time for each package of the scheme.

The Quang Binh representative also proposed the building of measures to give more support to sectors that are seriously hit by the pandemic, such as tourism, aviation and railway.

Nguyen Thanh Cam, a representative of Tien Giang province, said that it is crucial to ensure fairness and equality during the implementation of the programme, contributing to completing its target of promoting social welfare and social equality. 

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung explains and clarifies some issues raised by the NA deputies (Photo: VNA)

NA Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Hai said that the majority of lawmakers agree on the necessity of fiscal and monetary policies to support the socio-economic recovery and development programme.

However, he noted that the deputies proposed the strengthening of inspection and supervision to avoid policy profiteering and ensure macro balances, monetary safety and security as well as the national financial safety and sustainable development.

He said that the NA Standing Committee will direct relevant agencies to fully absorb the opinions, building a report on the receiving and explanation of deputies’ ideas on the draft resolution to submit to the National Assembly for consideration and approval./.