(Illustrative photo: moit.gov.vn))

When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out and widespread pandemic surges began to damage production and trade, the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued prompt solutions to balance the supply of essential goods, support businesses, cooperatives, and household traders, and resolve problems relating to material input for production and distribution of goods.

Deputy Minister Do Thang Hai pointed out the three major solutions: “First, the supply and demand of essential goods will continue to be ensured to maintain production and trade activities. Second, businesses, cooperatives, and household traders will be supported to join online trade fairs and promotion programs to connect supply and demand. Third, localities will be helped to boost agricultural product sales in the domestic and export markets.”

The Ministry will ensure smooth transportation and goods circulation between provinces and cities and closely follow the market situation to manage the supply of essential goods to meet demand.

Deputy Minister Hai said: “Sales promotion programs will be launched in the domestic market, prices will be stabilized, and distribution networks and stabilized price shops will be extended to rural areas, industrial parks, and remote mountain communities. Government spending needs to be increased through public investment disbursement and implementing trade infrastructure development projects in mountain areas.”

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has quickly resolved goods transportation problems to avoid supply disruptions, worked with local administrations to facilitate business, and collaborated with large distributors to manage goods distribution. The Ministry also helps businesses implement pandemic prevention measures to protect workers’ health and minimize the pandemic’s impact on production and trade.