The Cần Thơ City People’s Committee is seeking ways to achieve the maximum possible socio-economic development this year. VNS Photo Văn Châu

HCM CITY – Cần Thơ has taken many measures to combat the Covid-19 epidemic and is determined to achieve the highest possible socio-economic indicators, according to its People’s Committee.

In July, the city’s index of Industrial Production (IIP) increased by an estimated 0.24 per cent, retail sales and services by 2.19 per cent and exports by 3.06 per cent, while the consumer price index (CPI) was up by just 0.64 per cent, it said.

But it admitted that most development indexes declined significantly during the period.

The number of visitors fell by 70 per cent and the number staying for more than one night decreased by 68 per cent.

The agricultural sector too faces many difficulties due to the pandemic, Nguyễn Tấn Nhơn, deputy director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said, explaining demand for some key items such as fruits and Pangasius was down.

Inventories held by seafood processing companies remain large, causing prices to fall sharply.

Businesses have petitioned city authorities to provide funding for those impacted by COVID-19, develop infrastructure for tourism development and push administrative reforms.

Phạm Thái Bình, general director of Trung An Hi-tech Agriculture Joint Stock Company, said the city should urge banks to offer lower loan interest rates to businesses in priority sectors as instructed by the Government and the State Bank of Việt Nam.

Nguyễn Thực Hiện, director of the city Department of Planning and Investment, said the department would help the city gain access to credit packages to aid businesses, extend deadlines for taxes, fees, land rents, and social insurance payments and carry out demand stimulation programmes.

Lê Quang Mạnh, chairman of the city People’s Committee, said there would also be promotional policies to stimulate tourism, especially foreign tourism when international flights are allowed in future, and policies to connect producers and consumers of agriculture products.  VNS