He noted that global economic growth was negative from January-April due to the pandemic.
In the period, Vietnamese ministries and departments focused on carrying out the dual tasks of protecting people’s health while fueling economic development.
The government has issued a number of directives and resolutions to remove difficulties for enterprises and ensure welfare policies as well as social order and safety.
As a result, the economy still reported year-on-year growth of 3.82 percent.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has estimated that Vietnam will enjoy the highest growth in Southeast Asia this year, projected at 2.7 percent, said PM Phuc.
He added that the country aims to achieve a higher rate as sectors and businesses resume operations while still taking drastic safety measures.
The government leader requested that along with attaining the highest growth possible, it is necessary to curb inflation below 4 percent, while developing businesses and promoting infrastructural construction. Transport projects must be kicked off and have the investment methodology shifted from public-private partnership to public investment.
Besides these, greater attention should be paid to social issues, including the upcoming high school entrance exam, the implementation of an aid package worth 62 trillion VND (2.6 billion USD), and socio-economic development projects for ethnic minorities.
PM Phuc emphasised the need to disburse VND700 trillion (over US$29.7 billion) of public investment in 2020, while ordering ministries, sectors and localities to work hard to implement the plan.
The PM mentioned the country’s achievements in containing the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the drastic, synchronous and timely direction of the Party and the State, and joint efforts of the entire political system and people in the fight against the disease.
The pandemic has been comprehensively controlled without zero deaths, he said.
He noted that in recent online international conferences and telephone talks, leaders of other countries and international organisations highly praised Vietnam’s effective COVID-19 response measures.
The PM lauded the sense of responsibility of agencies and sectors, and the public support for fighting the pandemic.
About VND2 trillion (US$85.1 million) has been mobilised in response to the campaign launched by the PM and the President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee to support the battle against the disease.
However, it is necessary to maintain vigilance, he reiterated, adding that the Government will convene a meeting this week to put forth measures to continue the containinment of the epidemic, while facilitating business and production.
During the meeting, Cabinet members will look into the socio-economic situation in April and the first four months of this year, the fight against COVID-19, and the draft resolution of the National Assembly Standing Committee on the principles, criteria and quota of public investment allocation from the state budget for 2021-2025, amongst others.
