Many key localities in the South such as HCM City, Binh Duong, Dong Nai and Long An have planned to gradually reopen their doors to restore socio-economic activities in the "new normal" state.

Enterprises hope to restore production and business activities soon.
Photo: Le Huong

Ready for production in safety

According to Vice Chairman of the HCM City People's Committee Vo Van Hoan, the HCM City Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control has issued a set of criteria to evaluate safe operations in the prevention of the Covid-19 pandemic at production - business - commercial establishments in the city. Along with that, the city has also established a working group to remove difficulties for businesses; set a plan to support businesses affected by the pandemic. HCM City has also worked with Dong Nai, Binh Duong, and Ba Ria-Vung Tau to agree on regional connectivity solutions; cooperate with agencies on issues of circulation, transfer of materials, labor, and experts.

The Department of Transport of HCM City has also submitted to the People's Committee of HCM City 3 plans to coordinate in bringing workers from other provinces and cities back to HCM City to work safely and conveniently when the city restores economic activities in the new situation after September 30.

In Binh Duong, the Provincial People's Committee has issued a plan to restore socio-economic activities in the "new normal" state, in which, focusing on five main groups of tasks: credit support, implementation of tax policies - social insurance and labour, market access, reorganisation of production and business activities according to the roadmap.

Binh Duong also prioritises vaccines for workers, so that businesses can return to production with peace of mind. So far, about 98% of people and workers in Binh Duong have been vaccinated with the first dose and are preparing for the second dose.

So far, in Binh Duong province, there are 3,197 registered enterprises and are operating under the plan "three in one spot", "one road, two places", "three green" with 264,621 employees. Along with enterprises, Binh Duong province has set up mobile medical stations in enterprises and industrial zones.There are two piloting mobile medical stations in enterprises in Tan Uyen town.

In Dong Nai, from September 20, to recover the economy, Dong Nai has allowed businesses in "green areas" to operate again. Enterprises are implementing "three in one spot" model or “one route, two places” or a combination of both options above.

Cao Tien Dung, Chairman of Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee affirmed that Dong Nai's motto is "the government accompanies businesses", the province will create all conditions, remove obstacles, help firms overcome difficulties, and quickly resume production.

Currently, the trade in goods in Dong Nai is carried out according to the "Green channel". Regarding travel between localities in the southeast region, the provinces and cities in the region will establish an inter-regional settlement group to issue specific regulations applicable to the whole southeast region.

Enterprises return to the "race track"

Along with the support of authorities and departments, many businesses have also taken initiative in plans to reproduce and maintain operations in the new situation.

Nguyen Van Be, chairman of the HCM City Export Processing Zone and Industrial Park Authority Business Association said so far, nearly 60% of enterprises have resumed production, largely due to the well-implemented "seven greens". For example, at Tan Thuan EPZ, there are 110 of 230 enterprises, 67 of 85 high-tech zones, Linh Trung 1 and 2 EPZs have 40 of 65 enterprises re-operated. Although the operating capacity of these enterprises is still limited, but basically solving backlog orders.

Do Phuoc Tong, Chairman of the Members' Council of Duy Khanh Mechanical Company, said maintaining a stable source of production materials is a vital solution for businesses. On that basis, Duy Khanh Mechanical Company has actively connected the supply as well as backup material supply time longer.

In the past, the company only reserved production materials for three months, now it has increased to six months, even having to order raw materials to avoid risks. The company also has to change the delivery method towards splitting and delivering multiple times to be more proactive.

Ha Thu Thanh, Chairperson of Deloitte Vietnam, said at this time, businesses need to restructure their operations for efficient production and business, and be ready for post-pandemic response and recovery. After difficulties in the disruptions of supply chain and business activities, under the "new normal" conditions, enterprises must change their business methods, do old things in new ways, think of new products that are suitable for their business. Businesses in any field, industry or size need a more comprehensive view of risk management and crisis management to come up with appropriate response solutions because they cannot wait until the Covid-19 pandemic ends.

However, in addition to being proactive, ready to return to the "race track" after the social distancing, many businesses said they are still confused and passive in preparing for reproduction and business, especially in preparing human resources.

Nguyen Hoang Ngan, General Director of Binh Minh Plastics JSC, said that, like many other businesses, the company is waiting for the economic opening policy after September 30 of HCM City with specific instructions and criteria. Mr. Ngan suggested that when remanufacturing, HCM City must have a regional linkage policy for convenient transportation of goods, as well as need to update information on human resources, clear regulations, otherwise enterprises cannot mobilise labour resources to reproduce and do business.

Nguyen Duc Hung, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Napoli Coffee Export-Import Trading Production JSC, said HCM City's support package for businesses must have an allocation plan, so that it covers large and small enterprises, state-owned and private enterprises, small business households all receive a little, how to reach the hands of really difficult subjects. At the same time, it creates convenience in transportation and circulation of goods and materials within the inner city and inter-province.

A representative of Vacpro Vietnam Co., Ltd (Nhon Trach 1 Industrial Park, Dong Nai province) said that the company can only organise 50% of the 800 workers staying at the factory to meet urgent orders. Currently, when Dong Nai reopens, the company wants to restore production and bring all workers back to the factory, but 90% of workers have to leave their jobs in the "red zones". Firms are worried that if they cannot restore production, they will lose many orders from foreign partners.

It can be said quickly restoring production after a long time of isolation but still having to ensure safety in pandemic prevention is a difficult problem, but this is a key moment and an opportunity that businesses need to take quickly.