(VOVWORLD) - The Vietnamese Government considers fighting the COVID-19 pandemic the most critical and urgent task at the moment, said Minister-Chairman of the Government Office Tran Van Son at a Government press conference on Wednesday.
 Minister-Chairman of the Government Office Tran Van Son (Photo: VNA) |
The Prime Minister has urged ministries, sectors, and localities to energetically fight the pandemic, keep production going, ensure social welfare, and accelerate the vaccination campaign.
According to Deputy Governor Dao Minh Tu, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) will continue directing commercial banks to reduce interest rates for customers affected by the pandemic. Tu said, “The State Bank of Vietnam has asked commercial banks to minimize their operating costs and lower interest rates as a way to share the hardships businesses are suffering during this COVID period. 16 major commercial banks have committed to cutting interest rates for specific groups, with a total reduced amount until the end of this year estimated at about 890 million USD. The rates vary by bank.”
 The press briefing follows the Government's monthly meeting with localities for July. (Photo: VNA) |
At the press briefing, Deputy Minister of Finance Nguyen Duc Chi said the Ministry is seeking permission for tax waivers and reductions for businesses and individuals, including an income tax reduction for small and medium-sized enterprises and a 50% tax cut for business households and individuals.
He said groups hard-hit by COVID-19 will get a reduction in value added tax (VAT), a waiver of late tax payment fines, and land lease decreases, with an expected total value of at least 880 million USD.
Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan reported that 11 million of 18 million available vaccine doses have been administered. Medical personnel and equipment, such as mobile vaccination trucks and first-aid drugs, are all set for vaccination. Vietnam could administer two million doses a day once it has access to enough vaccines.