Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham MinhChinh has asked ministries, agencies and localities to take measures to facilitatethe production and circulation of farm produce amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Directive No. 26/CT-TTg issued onSeptember 21, the fourth wave of COVID-19 infections has severely affectedagricultural production as well as circulation, consumption and export of farmproduce.

Against the backdrop, the PM asked the Ministry ofAgriculture and Rural Development (MARD) to instruct localities to synchronouslyroll out solutions, thus ensuring smooth supply chains.

The MARD will coordinate with the Ministry ofForeign Affairs (MoFA) and the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) to pushahead with market opening for farm produce to China via the official channel.

It will also coordinate with the Ministry of Financeto submit policies to the Government and the PM to support farmers to recoverproduction in localities that are under social distancing in line with the PM’sDirective 16/CT-TTg.

The MoIT was requested to hold working sessions withChinese agencies and localities on the opening of more border gates and customsclearance for farm produce.

The MoFA was requested to provide updates on themarket, step up trade promotion and connectivity in farm produce consumptionfor localities, while helping traders in the sale of agricultural products viae-commerce.

The Ministry of Transport will instruct relevantagencies to create optimal conditions for the transportation of agriculturalproducts and materials in service of agricultural production, and consumptionand export of farm produce.

According to the directive, the Ministry of Healthwill coordinate with other ministries, agencies and localities to instruct specialisedagencies to inspect, supervise, guide and assist production and business establishmentsin pandemic prevention and control.

The PM asked the Ministry of Planning and Investmentto work harder to improve the domestic investment environment in the field ofagriculture, and encourage enterprises to invest in agriculture and ruraldevelopment.

The Ministry of Finance was tasked with instructingcustoms agencies to speed up customs clearance at border gates.

The State Bank of Vietnam needs to direct creditinstitutions to further allocate capital to production, processing,circulation, consumption and export of agricultural products.

Under the instruction of the MoFA, Vietnameserepresentative offices abroad will increase trade promotion activities for farmproduce.

The PM also urged localities to put forth plans onproduction, consumption and export of agricultural products, ensure smoothsupply chains as well as people’s stable lives, and boost growth./.