Hanoi (VNA) - Prime Minister Nguyen XuanPhuc chaired a national teleconference between the Government and localities onApril 10 to discuss solutions for tackling the COVID-19 pandemic.

The meeting looked at ways to address the difficultiesfacing production and business activities, accelerate the disbursement of publicinvestment capital, support employees, and ensure social security along with guaranteeingsocial order and safety.

In his opening remarks, PM Phuc said the COVID-19pandemic has caused considerable consequences around the world, and leaders of theParty, the State, the Government, and the whole political system have been takingdrastic actions to fight the disease and seen encouraging results.

He noted that Party General Secretary and PresidentNguyen Phu Trong had called for the people’s solidarity in both thought and deedso as to overcome the pandemic. Under the Government’s Directives No. 15 and 16,ministries, sectors, and localities have been working hard on disease preventionand control.

There remain community transmission risks, he said,stressing the need for all to remain vigilant.

The government leader also touched on the socioeconomicimpacts seen around the globe.

As Vietnam has an open economy that is substantiallyintegrated into the world, the pandemic has greatly affected multiple sectors andsociety. Though the country’s economic growth of 3.82 percent in the first quarterwas the highest in the region, it was nonetheless a ten-year low and just half ofthe set target, he explained.

Without measures to maintain socioeconomic activitiesand promote business recovery and development, there might be negative consequencesand even social uncertainties, PM Phuc noted.

He stressed the need to turn risks into opportunitiesand identify ways for the economy to not only grow at a faster pace in the post-pandemicperiod but also to become more resilient and prosperous.

The Party and the State have issued several aid packages,such as a monetary aid package (300 trillion VND), a fiscal package (180 trillionVND), others supporting social security (62 trillion VND), reducing power prices(12 trillion VND), and cutting telecom service prices (15 trillion VND).

“The more difficulties the country encounters, thestronger its determination,” PM Phuc emphasised, requesting ministries, sectors,and localities to help amend administrative procedures and regulations to createmore favorable conditions and momentum for the economy.

He highlighted the role of major businesses, banks,cities, and the key economic regions in joining the Government’s efforts to ensuremacroeconomic stability.

The PM also directed greater focus on external affairsgiven that Vietnam is the ASEAN Chair in 2020 and a non-permanent member of theUN Security Council in the 2020-2021 term.

PM Phuc expressed a belief that, with its resolve,the country will manage to defeat the pandemic, boost socioeconomic development,ensure social security, and guarantee security and order./.