Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - The Government should have more long-term policiesand packages supporting and aiding businesses to recover from the impacts ofCOVID-19, Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) has said.

The statement was submitted as part of the two proposals submitted by the VCCIto the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI)’s to promote the Vietnameseeconomy post-pandemic.

The second proposal was for policies and recommendations that could be enactedimmediately.

Due to the extent of the spread of COVID-19 in the most recent outbreak,Vietnam needs to move quickly to a new stage of effective pandemic preventionthat includes mechanisms for safe, continuous production.

The VCCI has proposed legal regulations for businesses, related to pandemicprevention measures, be made available as soon as possible. This will ensurebusinesses have ample time to prepare.

Detailed regulations will also help firms be proactive in enacting continuityplans, thereby minimising the risk of supply and manufacturing chaindisruption.

Businesses are currently facing many difficulties due to the additional costsof COVID-19 prevention as well as a decrease in cash flow due to a smallermarket. At the same time, they have been under pressure to increase production.

Ministries should do a better job of disseminating support policies availableto businesses. In particular, there should be specific, detailed and completeinstructions on the procedures and processes necessary to access supportpresented in a simple and easy way.

VCCI said, over the long term, prioritising the implementation of macroeconomicstability and getting control over the pandemic are two key goals in 2021 thatwill create a solid growth foundation for the economy and businesses.

It proposed the MPI to develop policies to create more favourable conditionsfor Vietnamese private enterprises to survive and get ahead after the COVID-19,especially in innovation, training of high-quality human resources.

The fourth wave of the COVID-19 from April has quickly spread to provinces andcities, including the largest economic centres in the country such as Ho Chi Minh Cityand Hanoi, causing many economic activities to come to a standstill.

Quick calculations from industry associations show that the goods output of keyindustrial areas in the north, specifically in Bac Ninh, Bac Giang and VinhPhuc, may decrease by 50 percent due to the influence of the pandemic, leadingto a serious decrease in the value of transport, logistics and export chains.

VCCI proposed that the Government should issue policy packages to supportbusinesses to recover and expand business investment for the new period2021-25. The small and medium enterprise (SMEs) development fund and the creditguarantee fund for SMEs need to have more flexible policies in the upcomingtime./.