The Covid-19 pandemic is happening unpredictably and spreading around the world. Due to this situation, the Industry and Trade sector strives to ensure the commodity market during this period, while supporting, removing difficulties for enterprises.
Industry and Trade authorities carry out many solutions to help businesses overcome difficulties. In photo: Production activities at Sao Nam Wood Trading and Manufacturing Company.
To guarantee goods supply
Right from the beginning of February 2020, provincial Department of Industry and Trade counseled Provincial People's Committee to promulgate a stocking plan for essential goods to cope with the acute respiratory infection caused by the novel coronavirus (Covid-19). Previously, the department worked with 12 enterprises to assign market stabilization tasks in response to the complicated disease situation. According to the evaluation of Department of Industry and Trade, enterprises participating in market stabilization program have seriously implemented the essential goods reserve. In addition to stockpiling goods at existing supermarkets, businesses also have their own stockpiles (four warehouses) with large capacity located in Binh Duong (Co.op mart, Big C, Lotte supermarkets in Song Than Industrial Park, MM Mega Market supermarket in VSIP 1) to well serve people demands, prevent speculation and hoarding, or price fever.
Recently, in order to ensure the supply of essential goods for people in the province, Department of Industry and Trade has developed and signed a plan to remove difficulties for production and businesses, ensure input materials and stimulate exports in the context of Covid-19 outbreak in Binh Duong province. Namely, the plan develops three scenarios of disease outbreaks and action plans to resolve difficulties, support enterprises in each specific situation.
Accordingly, in case of necessity, the Department will collaborate with market stabilization enterprises to increase by 30% -100% goods supply (compared to normal days) to meet people needs. In order to support market stabilization enterprises in increasing stockpiles, Department of Industry and Trade cooperated with Department of Finance, Department of Health, Binh Duong Market Management Department, Binh Duong Investment and Development Fund to asses and grant preferential loans to 2 enterprises to reserve goods with an estimated capital of VND115 billion, of which Co.op mart supermarket registered to borrow VND40 billion, Vinmart supermarket registered to borrow VND75 billion.
As for rice, the department sent an official dispatch to Southeastern State Reserve Department to support rice reserve in Binh Duong province in response to the Covid-19. The Department proposed the Southeastern State Reserve Department to support Binh Duong province in warehousing, like receiving, preservation and departure, as the province requests for a volume of 1,000 tons rice. In addition, Southeastern State Reserve Department assisted in the organization of bidding, warehousing, storage and departure when necessary to provide relief, support or auction, when the storage period of 4,000 tons of winter-spring rice is expired in 2020.
Ho Van Binh, Deputy Director of Department of Industry and Trade, affirmed that during the "two golden weeks" fighting against the Covid-19, manufacturers and retail distributors implemented the best solutions to ensure the best supply and price to serve the people. Department of Industry and Trade also regularly cooperates with Department of Health, Department of Finance, Binh Duong Market Management Department, 389 Steering Committees at districts, towns and cities to implement assigned tasks. In particular, monitoring and controlling price fluctuations, supply and demand of the market, the ability to supply goods of manufacturers and distributors, especially of essential goods for consumption and medical equipment; obstructing speculation and profiteer from the increasing demand.
To assist businesses
In early March, Department of Industry and Trade issued an official dispatch to departments, committees, branches, People's Committees of districts, towns, cities and industry associations in the province to assist, solve difficulties for enterprises amid the pandemic. Department of Industry and Trade also visited \manufacturers and exporters as well as opened talks with enterprises to learn about difficulties and recommendations of businesses.
Nguyen Thanh Toan, Director of Department of Industry and Trade, said that most enterprises in Binh Duong province have difficulties in the operation process, of which more than 110 enterprises are import-exporters, leading to a sharp decrease in import-export turnover. Currently, because the epidemic has spread to almost all major import markets of Binh Duong, especially the US, Europe, Korea, Japan... thus the production and export situation of most enterprises is hindered.
Department of Industry and Trade also sent recommendations of the business community to all governmental levels and branches to soon have practical solutions to overcome difficulties, support enterprises in production and business activities... Department of Industry and Trade cooperates with relevant agencies to assess the situation, the demand for input materials, propose solutions to diversify, and ensure sufficient supply for production activities in the province. Department of Industry and Trade has plans to improve the effectiveness of trade promotion programs, diversify export and import markets and find new markets, actively exploit opportunities of free trade agreements.
The Department also proposed that the Government should strengthen information channels from diplomatic agencies and trade counselors to provide necessary information to People's Committees of provinces, cities, industry associations and enterprises to minimize risks in the current import and export process. At the same time, based on the actual situation of each foreign market in this period, the Department inform localities and businesses to enhance trade connections, redirect markets, timely strengthen production. In order to meet the demand for raw materials of manufacturers of medical equipment and devices in the province, Department of Industry and Trade also advised Provincial People's Committee to propose that the Government should work with Chinese enterprises to supply these raw materials.
Reported by Tieu My - Translated by Ngoc Huynh
