Foreign business associations in Vietnam proposed a strategy for pandemic prevention and control in each region in order to soon restart production and business operations in a safe manner. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has affirmed that the Vietnamese Government is always ready to create the best conditions for and do its best to accompany foreign investors in making long-term investment and doing business in Vietnam both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“With the spirit of frankness and responsibility, I and the leaders of ministries, agencies and localities have discussed, defined and implemented solutions to strengthen cooperation and overcome the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, organise safe production, maintain supply chains and promote economic recovery," he stressed in a document issued in response to petitions and recommendations from representatives of foreign-invested business associations in Vietnam.
Unified and flexible reopening roadmap
The Prime Minister said the Vietnamese Government has been deployed a string of drastic measures to control the pandemic and remove difficulties for businesses, including setting up a special working group to tackle difficulties facing enterprises and citizens, and issuing Resolution 105/NQ-CP on supporting enterprises, cooperatives and business households.
The Government has instructed ministries, agencies and localities to be flexible, creative and effective in the implementation of the measures, focusing on solutions on carrying out the roadmap for resuming production while ensuring safety criteria.
The Government has given priority to vaccination for workers at industrial parks, processing and high-technology zones, and enterprises, including foreign-invested ones, Chinh said.
In the spirit of mutual cooperation and long-term attachment to bring benefits to all parties, the Prime Minister suggested that associations and businesses from other countries continue to support and accompany Vietnam in overcoming the temporary challenges, flexibly and safely adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic and restoring production and business.
"There is no difficulty that we can't solve with our determination and joint effort," he said.
The Prime Minister also suggested that foreign associations, corporations and businesses with their great influence and role, continue to call on countries, international organisations, and pharmaceutical corporations to assist Vietnam with vaccines, treatment drugs, medical supplies and equipment, especially vaccines, in any form and as quickly as possible.
Representatives of foreign-invested business associations in Vietnam called for a clear roadmap for reopening of the economy. (Photo: VNA) Vaccine is the key factor
Previously, representatives of foreign business associations in Vietnam, such as the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (AmCham Vietnam), the US-ASEAN Business Council, the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KoCham), have sent a letter to the Prime Minister on a strategy for pandemic prevention and control in each region in order to soon restart production and business operations in a safe manner.
Foreign investors said that they strongly support the Government's strategic policy orientation of safe adaptation to COVID-19 and proposed that Vietnam take immediate action to maintain its competitiveness in the region and the world as well as avoid lagging behind in the economic recovery process.
They urged immediate reopening safely in dynamic economic areas such as Ho Chi Minh City, the southern economic region and Da Nang, thus creating conditions for the economy to recover and establish a “new normal”. Accordingly, the enforcement of the Prime Minister’s Directive 15 and 16 should be suspended and the introduction of similar restriction measures should be avoided in the future.
The proposed "green card and yellow card" can be a useful part of the reopening strategy. (Photo: VNA) Foreign investors emphasised that vaccine is the key factor and affirmed their strong support of Vietnam’s vaccine diplomacy.
The proposed "green card” and “yellow card" can be a useful part of the reopening strategy, they said, noting that it requires technological solutions as well as coordination among ministries, sectors and localities for unified identification, access and travelling.
According to the FDI businesses, the manufacturing sector should reopen in the "new normal" state right now. Those which already have clear plans for pandemic prevention should be given more power in deciding their production as well as ensuring the safety of workers with the supervision of relevant authorities.
“As Vietnam moves towards a new normal, in addition to enhancing vaccination coverage, a good coordination between localities on policies relating to transportation, availability of the rapid test, quarantine of COVID-19 patients is a must to assure workers’ safety and minimise the impact,” wrote the letter.
Foreign investors have committed to supporting the government’s dual goals of protecting livelihoods, ensuring the health and safety of people while promoting economic growth and recovery./.
