People shop at a Big C supermarket in Hà Nội. Departments of Industry and Trade nationwide have been ordered to outline production and business plans to ensure the supply of goods for Tết holiday. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) recently issued a directive on measures to ensure essential consumer goods are available during the upcoming Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday and to stabilise the market.

Departments of Industry and Trade nationwide have been ordered to outline production and business plans while evaluating the supply and demand of essential items to prevent a shortage of goods or price hikes during Tết.

They were told to recommend provincial People’s Committees set up plans to stock shelves for the holiday and to join hands with branches of the State Bank of Việt Nam to help businesses access preferential loans to produce essential goods for the holiday.

They have been asked to work with the Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development and other agencies to keep a close watch on weather and disease developments and to assess the ability to supply pork and other essential goods.

The MoIT has requested local corporations introduce import measures, if necessary, to stabilise the market.

Under the directive, the Domestic Markets Department is to work with localities to promote the campaign 'Vietnamese people prioritise Vietnamese goods', aiming to support local production and increase supplies of price-stabilised goods in remote and mountainous areas. They were also urged to introduce safe food as well as local staples to consumers around the country.

Along with urging companies to enhance domestic trade promotions and stimulus programmes to boost consumer spending, the department aims to create favourable conditions for them to join the market stabilisation programme to expand their distribution networks in mountainous, island, and remote localities.

The ministry also wants petrol trading companies to ensure sufficient reserves for the market and to work with agencies to enhance control of gasoline quality.

It will inspect and supervise power corporations to ensure electricity supply for production and daily use.

The Việt Nam Directorate of Market Surveillance is responsible for examining food safety and quality, and preventing speculation and price hikes in contradiction of existing laws. — VNS