New generation vaccines

Prime Minister orders start of Covid-19 vaccinations this week

March 2, 2021 by vietnamnet.vn

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has instructed relevant agencies to start giving Covid-19 vaccinations this week.

Thủ tướng yêu cầu tiêm vắc xin Covid-19 cho người dân từ tuần này

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

He spoke at the cabinet’s monthly regular meeting on March 1.

The PM said the Government had been very responsible in providing a peaceful Tet holiday for the people. The Politburo and the Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam praised the Government’s high level of responsibility in ensuring an abundant supply of goods, and keeping prices stable for the holiday.

The PM also said that after the New Year, the country launched an opening ceremony for tree planting festivals, calling for people to plant trees.

The recent third Covid-19 wave affected key economic regions in northern Vietnam such as the provinces of Hai Duong, Hai Phong, and Quang Ninh as well as Hanoi. Thanks to the government’s serious measures, the epidemic has been basically controlled. New cases of Covid-19 are only being recorded in Kim Thanh district in Hai Duong.

“We have basically controlled the third wave and have been highly praised by the world in our success in preventing and controlling the spread of Covid-19,” the PM said.

He emphasized that Vietnam has imported vaccines, but the fighting spirit still must be based on the principle of “vaccine plus 5K”, a government message about five preventive measures.

The Prime Minister asked the Ministry of Health to first vaccinate the poor, families of those who were devoted to the country, and eight other categories named in the Government’s resolution on vaccination.

The Ministry of Health was asked by the PM to implement vaccination this week and to continue stamping out the outbreak in Kim Thanh district in Hai Duong province.

At the same time, promoting business to achieve the dual goals of controlling the epidemic and developing the economy must be a priority, the government head said.

According to the PM, this is the last meeting of the government for the 14th term, so he asked ministries, agencies, and local authorities to focus on important, urgent and immediate tasks. Accordingly, they have to solve remaining tasks under their responsibilities within this term.

Ho Van – Lien Anh

COVID-19 crisis could set-back a generation of women in business

March 1, 2021 by bizhub.vn

Dropping seven places since 2019, Viet Nam comes in at #25 while Thailand, Philippines and Indone sia are amongst the top 20 economies globally offering the most supportive entrepreneurial conditions for women.— Infographic by Mastercard

Women across the world have been disproportionally impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic – a staggering 87 per cent of women business owners say they have been adversely affected, according to Mastercard’s report of the Women Entrepreneurs Index 2020.

Overrepresentation in sectors hardest hit by the economic downturn (such as tourism, retail and F&B), the pronounced digital gender gap in an increasingly virtual world, and the mounting pressures of childcare responsibilities are only a few factors that have left women particularly vulnerable, particularly in economies such as Viet Nam, South Korea and Thailand.

MIWE 2020’s top performing economy is a prime example of gender-specific support mechanisms having swift and significant results. For the first time, Israel tops the MIWE as best economy for women entrepreneurs worldwide, advancing from 4th place in 2019. With an ambition to double the number of female entrepreneurs within two years, Israel’s success has been driven by a focused institutional backing for SMEs – its ‘Support for SMEs’ ranking catapulted from 42nd place in 2019, to 1st in 2020.

Last year’s strong performers, the United States and New Zealand – although dropping from 1st to 2nd, and 2nd to 4th places respectively – demonstrate that economies with mature gender focused initiatives still out-perform on the global stage through continued focus on advancing conditions for women in business. In both these economies, favourable cultural perceptions of entrepreneurism, the high visibility of female leaders that serve as role models for aspiring entrepreneurs and supportive entrepreneurial conditions play a crucial role in their success.

It is noteworthy that the majority of economies (34 out of a total of 58 in this report) have healthy MIWE scores of 60 to 70 such as Australia, Indonesia, Mainland China, Singapore, Viet Nam (63.87) and Malaysia while 13 economies have lower scores of 50 to 60 such as Japan and India.

Of the 58 markets included in the Index, 12 moved up by five or more ranks year-on-year, while 10 fell by five or more. Asia Pacific’s fast-rising markets include Mainland China (+6) and Indonesia (+5) while the largest drops were seen in Singapore (-12), Philippines (-10), Hong Kong SAR (-8) and Viet Nam (-7).

Women in Asia Pacific continue to make admirable progress in the business world. The Philippines, Thailand, Viet Nam, and New Zealand ranked at #2, #6, #9 and #10 respectively for “Women’s Advancement Outcomes” which measures progress and degree of marginalisation economically and professionally as businesses leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs and labour force participants.

“What the findings make clear is that regardless of an economy’s wealth, level of development, size, and geographic location, gender inequalities continue to persist – even pre-pandemic. What COVID-19 did is that it exacerbated an already problematic situation. It disproportionately disrupted women’s lives and livelihoods to a greater extent than men due to a few pre-existing factors: the jobs and sectors women tend to work in, childcare and domestic responsibilities and the pre-existing gender disparity in business,” said Julienne Loh, Executive Vice President, Enterprise Partnerships, Asia Pacific, Mastercard.

“Yet, through the pandemic we’ve seen women’s strength and endurance in the face of adversity. If anything, this year has illuminated how vast women’s potential really is. But this moment in time is fragile unless governments, financial services and business organisations come together to do three things: offer systemic support and programmes to enable women to survive and thrive in this new normal, equip them with skills to navigate the digital world, and nurture an equitable, accessible financial services system that supports women’s work and entrepreneurship. These are not easy to deliver, but investments like these can yield priceless dividends for not only women, but society as a whole,” said Loh. — VNS

COVID-19: Vietnam records no new cases over 12 hours

March 2, 2021 by vov.vn

Earlier on March 2 morning, the MoH announced 11 community cases in Hai Duong, the epicenter of the country’s latest coronavirus outbreak.

The third wave of the coronavirus has spread to 13 cities and provinces across the country since the virus recurred in late January 2021. As many as 868 new cases have been since confirmed, including 684 cases in Hai Duong alone.

Hai Duong is the only locality in Vietnam that has reported new cases during the past few days, though the outbreak has been brought under control there.

Overall, Vietnam has recorded 2,472 COVID-19 patients since the virus attacked the country in January 2020.

Of the total, 1,898 patients have been discharged from hospital, including six on March 2, after making a full recovery from the disease.

Among the active cases, 216 have currently tested negative for the virus at least once.

The number of deaths caused by COVID-19 and related illnesses remains at 35 nationwide, including 31 in Da Nang, a coronavirus hotspot several months ago.

Vietnam is scheduled to kick-start the human clinical trial of Covivac , the second locally made vaccine o March 3.

PM: More effort needed to complete urgent tasks

March 2, 2021 by en.qdnd.vn

Assessing the implementation of the socio-economic development plan in the first two months of the year, the PM said outcomes have surpassed the figures reported earlier to the National Assembly, most notably those regarding public debt, budget overspending and collection, reserves, and major economic balances.

Vietnam has successfully fulfilled the dual goals of containing the COVID-19 pandemic and boosting production and business and ensuring normal social activities in the new context, he said.

The PM attributed the results to the engagement of the entire political system and the outstanding efforts of the business community and people nationwide, with significant contributions from the Government and its members, ministries, agencies, and localities.

Regarding key tasks in the time ahead, he stressed the need to optimise the opportunities and stay resolved to complete the tasks set for the first half of this year and the year as a whole, saying the first job is to realise the resolution adopted at the 13th National Party Congress.

More effort is needed to fight the pandemic and carry forward the “5K” principle – Khau trang (Facemasks) – Khu khuan (Disinfecting) – Khoang cach (Keeping distance) – Khong tap trung dong nguoi (No gatherings) – Khai bao y te (Medical declarations), and maintaining vigilance during the fight, he said.

He ordered the acceleration of vaccine provision for priority groups, including the poor, social policy beneficiaries, and at-risk people.

Given the difficulties facing businesses, Phuc urged ministries and agencies to further remove obstacles, promote production and business, and speed up socio-economic recovery, targeting growth of 6.5 percent.

He noted the need to select quality FDI sources amid the trend of inflow investment.

The PM also asked ministries and agencies to review and adjust current support packages and soon propose new packages to assist businesses and people in difficult circumstances.

The Minister of Planning and Investment presented a supplementary report to the meeting assessing the implementation of the socio-economic development plan in 2020.

Exports grew 7 percent; 1 percent higher than the previously reported figure. The urban unemployment rate stood at 3.88 percent; lower than the reported figure of 4.39 percent.

National GDP growth was 2.91 percent and per capita income 2,779 USD; both higher than the figures reported earlier.

Source: VNA

Vietnam to realize 6.5% growth target: PM

March 2, 2021 by hanoitimes.vn

The Hanoitimes – It is vital for Vietnam to further boost the development of private sector and public investment funds, in turn contributing to economic growth and creating the foundation for long-term development.

Vietnam would speed up socio-economic recovery to realize the growth target of 6.5% for this year.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the meeting. Photo: Quang Hieu

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc stressed the view at a monthly government meeting on March 2, which were attended by government leaders and representatives of ministries and sectors.

Among measures to boost growth, the PM stressed the importance of enhancing greater efficiency in global integration to boost exports and attract high quality foreign direct investment (FDI).

“The current situation presents huge opportunity for Vietnam to attract investment capital,” stressed Phuc, adding a favorable investment environment is a must to keep capital inflow from growing.

In addition to the role of state-owned corporations, Phuc said it is vital for Vietnam to further boost the development of private sector and public investment funds, in turn contributing to economic growth and creating the foundation for long-term development.

According to Phuc, disbursement of public funds is a major mission, for which the Government Office is tasked with inspecting efficiency in disbursing public funds and ODA-funded projects.

Phuc stressed the importance of reviewing current supporting programs and proposing new ones to assist businesses and people affected by the pandemic.

“Nurturing economic growth drivers and creating long-term revenue sources are the objective for monetary and fiscal policies,” said Phuc.

The PM requested major economic hubs to play a greater role in aiding economic growth, especially Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau, Danang, and Can Tho.

For economic sectors that are struggling with the Covid-19 impacts, including those in fields of aviation, services, and tourism, Phuc called for substantial measures to address their concern and difficulties.

Expansionary fiscal, monetary policies to boost growth

At the meeting, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung said Vietnam remains steadfast in pursuing expansionary fiscal and monetary policies to boost economic growth and control inflation rate.

Dung referred to a forecast that the Covid-19 pandemic would continue to exert its impacts on the global economy until at least the first half of 2021 or when Covid-19 vaccines are rolled out worldwide, as such, “keeping expansionary fiscal and monetary policies are necessary,” he added.

“It is important to enhance efficiency in the combination of fiscal and monetary policies to aid economic recovery and keep inflation under control,” Dung asserted.

“Government agencies and provinces/cities should closely monitor the market situation to timely propose supporting policies for people and businesses affected by the pandemic, especially for those operating in services, tourism and transportation sectors,” stressed Dung.

Meanwhile, the minister urged to stay alert against the Covid-19 pandemic as the country aims to ensure the realization of the dual target of both containing the pandemic and boosting economic recovery.

Amid the Covid-19 outbreak, Dung requested related agencies to soon issue a uniform safety procedure during the production and distribution of farm produce from Covid-19 zones to other localities.

While the world is still struggling with the Covid-19 impacts, “the domestic market remains a priority,” asserted Dung.

Dung also highlighted the importance of applying hi-tech and accelerating the digital transformation process and promoting e-commerce, in which local authorities should provide more support for enterprises to shift their operation online and apply e-payment methods.

“Vietnam would step up efforts in diversifying trade markets depending on the actual Covid-19 situation globally, while taking this opportunity to restructure the country’s export-import activities to reduce its reliance on a single market,” noted Dung.

With foreign direct investment (FDI) as a key source for economic growth, Dung called for a more selective approach in attracting such capital inflow, including a thoroughly review of M&A activities related to enterprises operating in national core and strategic business fields with high socio-economic impacts.

“The move is necessary to ensure favorable conditions for FDI attraction, protect domestic enterprises and prevent tax evasion through investment activities,” Dung concluded.