Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has asked the ministries, sectors and localities to coordinate closely and take effective measures to control market prices in December and the coming lunar New Year festival.

In an instruction dated November 30, Mr Dung assigned the Ministry of Industry and Trade, relevant agencies and localities to iron out snags for import-export activities to ensure an adequate supply of commodities for production and consumption, as well as no price hike in the next two months. He particularly underlined the need to balance supply and demand of petrol, steel, cement, fertilisers, pesticides, food, foodstuff, gas, medicine and other essential commodities for people during the coming lunar New Year Festival.

Under the instruction, local People’s Committees were asked to keep a close watch on production and trading activities and adopt effective measures to ensure the balance of supply and demand of commodities, especially in industrial parks, residential quarters, and in areas affected by epidemics and natural disasters. They were ordered to enhance market management, crack down on smuggling, tax evasion and circulation of counterfeit goods, and organize safe, healthy and thrift Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The PM instructed the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the Finance Ministry and local administrations to keep their eye on the living conditions of the people, especially those in areas affected by natural calamities and epidemics to provide immediate assistance for them.

He also required the State Bank of Vietnam, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning and Investment to watch the developments of market prices to avoid price hikes, control means of payment and the flow of overseas remittances to ensure the safety for the credit and monetary system.

The State Bank of Vietnam and the Ministry of Finance were ordered to enhance the control over the stock market, particularly the over-the-counter (OTC) market, monitor finance of State-owned enterprises to prevent adverse effects on the market, and continue to carry out a scheme aimed at abolishing subsidies on petrol and coal in 2008.

Last but not least, the PM asked the Ministry of Information and Communications to coordinate closely with relevant ministries and agencies to enhance information dissemination helping businesses and people understand and support the Government’s measures.

Source: VOV