Hanoi (VNA)- Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc requested more drastic measures to preventspeculation, price increases, and market devaluation when chairing a meeting ofthe National Steering Committee for Price Management on April 21.

It isalso important to control inflation at 4 percent or less set in a NationalAssembly resolution, PM Phuc said, which requires the synchronousimplementation of certain measures.

Ministries,sectors, localities, and relevant enterprises must strictly pursue specifictasks and measures on market price stabilisation in the context of the economybeing hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.

The PMurged the price of live pork be cut to around 60,000 VND (2.55 USD) per kg, theprices of rice, petrol, oil, and necessities be stabilised, and the prices ofwater and electricity be reduced to resolve the difficulties facing businessesand people.

Regardingpork, PM Phuc stressed the importance of increasing domestic supply while atthe same time increasing imports to ensure supply meets demand in both theshort and long terms.

For rice,he asked for the continued monitoring of rice exports, ensuring food security,strictly handling any violations, and safeguarding the interests of farmers,especially those in the Mekong Delta.

Forpetrol and oil, the PM asked the Ministry of Finance to keep a close watch oncrude oil prices and prepare detailed scenarios on petrol and oil priceadjustments to avoid a surge in prices, which may affect production andbusiness.

Heassigned the Ministry of Industry and Trade to direct the implementation of apolicy to cut electricity prices by 10 percent, while considering appropriatemethods and timing to better serve poor households.

TheMinistries of Health; Education and Training; Industry and Trade; Transport;and Construction as well as relevant agencies were requested to carry outspecific measures to reduce the prices of medical supplies and equipment,textbooks, and transport services, and to stabilise the prices of constructionmaterials and essential goods.

The PMalso asked the Ministries of Planning and Investment; Finance; and Industry andTrade, together with the State Bank of Vietnam, to closely monitor developmentson international and domestic markets and update growth scenarios andmacroeconomic indicators so as to make appropriate proposals andrecommendations to ensure the value of the Vietnamese dong and facilitateeconomic recovery./.