Bình Phước Province has promised support to enterprises based in industrial zones amid the COVID-19 pandemic.—VNA/VNS Photo Hoàng Hùng

BÌNH PHƯỚC PROVINCE— The Bình Phước Province administration has worked with the developers of 13 industrial zones to remove difficulties faced by their tenants due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

These IZs have attracted more than US$2.1 billion worth of foreign investment and VNĐ6.3 trillion (US$268 million) worth of domestic investment and provided jobs to thousands of workers.

But the pandemic has interrupted production, causing 17 factories to shut down and 4,000 workers to lose their jobs or suffer reduced incomes.

The developers asked the People’s Committee to change land lease payments from annual to one-time mode.

Their tenants complained about the difficulties in arranging transportation for workers due to the social distancing requirement now.

Nguyễn Văn Lợi, Secretary of the province Party Committee, appreciated the companies for bringing their difficulties to authorities’ notice and told them to strictly follow social distancing norms to ensure workers’ safety.

He directed related departments and district authorities to quickly mitigate the difficulties faced by the businesses.

He also promised there would be policies to support workers affected by the pandemic.

Between January 29 and March 25 295 foreign workers returned to Bình Phước and were under medical supervision and in quarantine as directed by the Government. —VNS