Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc speaks at the monthly government meeting on Wednesday. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has underlined the need to take drastic measures in tracing the source of infection and zoning while dealing with community infection cases in HCM City.

Speaking at the monthly government meeting on Wednesday, he emphasised that strict punishment should be imposed on individuals and organisations who violated COVID-19 prevention rules. He also asked localities nationwide to stay vigilant to prevent the pandemic.

The PM said top priority should be given to removing bottlenecks for local production and business activities to push up economic development.

Reports from relevant ministries and sectors showed that the Vietnamese economy could expand 2.5-3 per cent in 2020, while many international organisations forecast it could grow 2.5-2.8 per cent in the year, he said.

Amidst complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, Viet Nam remains a bright spot in the global economy thanks to its positive growth, according to a report from the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

Việt Nam's economy in November continued to maintain its recovery momentum under new normal conditions. Production, trade and consumption kept growing. Inflation was controlled and foreign exchange reserves were high.

In the 11-month period, trade surplus swelled to a record of US$20.1 billion, he said, adding 31 groups of commodities joined the over-one-billion-USD club, accounting for 92 per cent of the total export revenue.

Disbursement of public capital was pushed ahead, reaching 79.3 per cent of the yearly plan and up 34 per cent compared to the same time last year, he said.

The confidence of people, businesses and investors in the country's economic prospects was very positive.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised its forecast of Việt Nam's economic growth in 2020 to 2.4 per cent - among countries with the world's highest growth.

This once again showed the recognition of international experts and organisations in the country's achievements in disease prevention and combat as well as its socio-economic development, the PM said.

PM Phúc highlighted the positive result of industrial production, which grew 9.2 per cent year-on-year, and the upwards trend of trade and service activities in November, with total retail sales of goods and services in the month rising by 8.5 per cent.

The PM said Việt Nam should prepare plans to resume trade and investment activities given the domestic and international context still has many potential risks.

The COVID-19 pandemic is still complicated in many big countries – important partners of Việt Nam – and it will greatly affect the country’s trade, tourism and investment.

“Despite facing challenges, many opportunities are still open for Việt Nam to grasp and move forward,” he said, adding that the EU-Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreements provided a good opportunity to boost trade.

The PM also recalled the success of the 37th ASEAN Summit and related meetings, including the adoption of a record 84 documents and signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) that creates a market covering one third of the world’s population, or about 2.2 billion people and 30 per cent of global GDP.

Regarding the settlement of consequences of natural disasters and floods, the Government took timely response to emergency cases, and granted nearly 16,000 tonnes of rice and some VNĐ1.3 trillion (US$56.2 million) to support flood-hit regions.  VNS