Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on September 26 chaired a virtual online meeting with representatives of businesses and localities to discuss measures to continue supporting companies in the context of the COVID-19.

Participants raised proposals to the government and the PM such as giving firms the initiative in fighting the pandemic and developing their production; continuing to prioritize vaccinating workers; re-opening firms whose workers are fully vaccinated; allowing domestic and foreign tourism conditionally.

They also asked the PM to instruct sectors and localities to remove hurdles in the transport; be flexible in implementing regulations on entry for experts; continue the reform of administrative procedures, especially those for firms to get support from the government; continue to work out policies on capital, taxation and fees; and prepare industrial zones for the new investment wave.

Addressing the meeting, Mr. Pham Tan Cong - President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) - said that if the social distancing was extended, businesses would not be able to survive.

According to Mr. Pham Tan Cong, the situation has changed and Vietnam needs a new perspective, a new strategy and a new approach in fighting the pandemic.

Regarding the COVID-19 response strategy, Mr. Pham Tan Cong proposed making efforts to recover and develop the economy.

He proposed two solutions to adapt to the new normal, including considering a firm as a subject in response to Covid-19 to provide businesses with medical equipment and healthcare systems, and resolutely protecting, supporting and maintaining business and production activities.

The PM took note of the proposals and thanked the community for joining the Party, State, and people in the pandemic fight and their efforts in socio-economic maintenance and development.

He asked the firms and businesspeople to continue giving their ideas and joining the government in making institutional breakthroughs; taking a more active part so as to improve the quality of the human resources; accelerating the digital transition; restructuring firms; and joining the technology transfer.

The leader called for joint efforts among the firms, the State and the people to overcome the current difficulties.