Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung has urged local agencies to implement a number of priority measures until the end of the year to support businesses and the people to overcome negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Illustrative photo.

Referring to the motto “fighting the epidemic is like fighting the enemy”, Chung expected greater efficiency in public investment and supporting programs for enterprises and the people.  This is increasingly important for Hanoi, given its role as a political, social and economic hub of Vietnam.

According to Chung, local agencies are tasked to push for administrative reform and refrain from creating barriers for businesses and production.

Additionally, the mayor requested project owners to accelerate the construction progress of public investment projects.

Hanoi’s Department of Finance is responsible for prioritizing state capital for anti-virus measures by reducing unnecessary regular spending.

Notably, Chung asked for immediate waiving and reducing of rental fees of state-owned lands and properties for privately-run educational facilities, kindergartens, cultural, sporting and health centers that are forced to suspend operations due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Relevant agencies should submit to the municipal People’s Committee measures to support hotel and accommodation services that provide spaces for isolation orders; private medical centers that treat Covid-19 patients under request of local authorities, and unemployed people.

Chung requested local agencies to provide utmost support for foreign-invested and private projects, especially those related to public services and social issues.

The municipal Department of Industry and Trade is tasked with continuing to look for providers of input materials in a bid to ensure stability of domestic production and sustainable export activities; promoting global integration, bilateral and multilateral trade, as well as e-commerce.

All agencies are requested to report the results of these supporting measures back to the People’s Committee before May 31 and November 30 for review and adjustment.