Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung speaks at the press conference after the government monthly meeting for February (Photo: Van Hieu/VOV)

He said: “Basically the macro-economy remains positive with the Consumer Price Index in February dropping 0.17% and exports growing. The trade gap is under control - 176 million USD. Export value was nearly 37 billion USD, up 2.4%. Agriculture remains stable. Other industries continue to grow, with the industrial production index increasing 8.4% in February, up 24% since the same period last year. New businesses increased in both number and capital. The number of dissolved enterprises decreased.”

According to Minister Dung, the monetary and credit market was stable. As of February 20, total capital had increased 14.15% over last year.

The State Bank of Vietnam has asked credit institutions to temporarily restructure debt payment schedules and outline other plans to support customers facing difficulties caused by the Covid-19 epidemic.

23 credit institutions have declared interest exemptions or reductions and other debt relief for 44,000 customers with total outstanding credit of 9.5 billion USD.

At the press briefing, Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long said Vietnam’s prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic has been effective, a fact applauded by the international community.

Mr. Long said Vietnam has prepared scenarios to respond to any new epidemic developments.

“Quarantining is extremely important in controlling epidemic diseases like Covid-19. A scenario involving four rounds of quarantining has proved effective in Son Loi commune, Vinh Phuc province. In 21 days, no new cases of infections have been detected in Son Loi,” said Mr. Long.

Deputy Minister Long said Vietnam has maintained tight quarantines and is ready to take drastic measures to keep Covid-19 from spreading.