To simultaneously achieve two economic growth goals associated with macro stability and ensuring social security, according to Politburo member, Head of Central Economic Commission, Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh, the continued recovery, bringing the economy back to normal must be placed in the new context of the year 2021 with full opportunities and favorable conditions, as well as a full awareness of challenges and pressures.

Member of the Politburo, Head of the Central Economic Commission,
Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh.

2020 is considered a very challenging year for Vietnam due to the impact of natural disasters and the pandemic as well as international economic integration. What is your view of the past year?

Mr. Tran Tuan Anh:

- It is true that in 2020, the whole world witnessed both the far-reaching and negative impacts of Covid-19, because disease prevention measures have a global impact, in which Vietnam has been affected. The impact is very profound since Vietnam itself is a country participating in very deep integration, at the same time with a very high economic openness.

In addition to the Covid-19 pandemic, 2020 is also the year the world faced impacts and risks that stopped the flow of trade as well as the development of the global economy.

In addition, in 2020, we also witnessed the effects of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and digital platforms creating shifts in investment, trade and technology transfer as well as cooperation in various economic sectors. Clearly, we also realize that the international community, including Vietnam, has made great efforts to overcome these difficulties and challenges.

Although there are factors that sometimes exceed human capabilities, as well as practical conditions such as disease handling and control, great efforts have been made to respond in a timely manner. Therefore, in 2020, Vietnam can be said to be a typical example of acumen, solidarity and measures to show clear sharing and close coordination with the international community.

Therefore, with the "dual" goal that the Government and the Prime Minister have stated in all strategies on disease prevention as well as economic development, the point of view is clear. The Party's guidelines are focused on ensuring the safety of people as well as stabilizing the lives of people and enterprises and continuing to develop sustainably in association with the country's deep integration.

Covid-19 has returned to Vietnam with complicated developments, showing that we continue to experience difficulties in economic development and life. In your opinion, what should we focus on in 2021 to simultaneously achieve two economic growth goals associated with macro stability and ensuring social security?

Mr. Tran Tuan Anh:

The lessons learnt from the reality of solutions and measures that we have drastically and consistently implemented in 2020 will be very valuable. It is the foundation and premise for us to work towards very ambitious but fully feasible goals for 2021.

We have many missions in 2021 and those that reflect all the urgency, practical needs, and long-term strategic goals of the country.

Firstly, it is the most stringent requirement in pandemic prevention and control to be thoroughly unified and organized in the most effective and efficient manner at all levels and social sectors - as well as activities to develop, restore, and bring the economy back to normal - but must also be based on ensuring strict and effective disease control. That is a principle of our survival in 2021 and the years to come.

Second, continued recovery, bringing the economy back to a normal state must be placed in the new context of the year 2021 with full opportunities and favorable conditions, as well as a full awareness of the challenges and pressures.

What areas will the Ministry of Industry and Trade focus on in 2021, sir?

Mr. Tran Tuan Anh:

Firstly, the top priority in 2021 is to fully, seriously and promptly implement the directives and directions of the Government and the Prime Minister in disease prevention, ensuring the safety of people's lives as well as continuing to restore the economy back to a normal state. Moreover, ensuring the stability of people's lives as well as continuing to implement the national economic development plans and strategies.

Second, in order to do that well, the Ministry of Industry and Trade must continue to implement resolutions 01 and 02 of the Government; Government Action Programs issued on the implementation of Government Resolutions related to Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). These are all fundamental issues for us to successfully implement our integration but at the same time continue to implement, towards the goal of sustainable development.

Third, to speed up the restructuring of industrial sectors and trade and service sectors in the direction of innovating the growth model to further increase added value. At the same time, towards a creative start-up ecosystem and favorable conditions to attract resources for development, make the most of the advantages and outstanding conditions from the FTAs ​​that we already have.

Fourth, we must continue to accelerate market development, especially within the framework of FTAs ​​as well as the integration tools we already have in the direction of multilateralization, diversification and further accelerating participation in regional and global supply chains, thereby promoting the development of supporting industries, promoting sustainable development of the manufacturing industry.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade will also coordinate with other sectors, especially the agricultural sector, to reorganize production models to further improve the competitiveness of agricultural products and foodstuffs as well as other agriculture sectors in integration. And this is also a vital factor to help the agricultural sector and our farmers successfully integrate into the country's general integration strategy.

Thank you Sir!