Executives of Central Retail in Việt Nam (left) hand over VNĐ 10 billion (US$433,700) to representative of the HCM City Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee on June 4 in response to the Government’s call for donations to speed up the COVID-19 vaccination programme. — Photo courtesy of the company

 HCM CITY — Central Retail in Việt Nam handed over a donation of VNĐ10 billion (US$433,700) to the HCM City Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee on June 4 in response to the Government’s call for donations to speed up the COVID-19 vaccination programme.

Olivier Bernard Langlet, its CEO, said VNĐ 5 billion each was meant for the National COVID-19 Vaccine Fund and procuring vaccines for Central Retail’s employees, the latter meant to ease the burden on the Government.

“We are proud to be the first FDI retailer to join hands with the Government in the vaccination programme. As one of the food retailers operating during the pandemic, we provide safe access to food and necessities to millions of households. Ensuring vaccination of our frontline staff is our utmost priority, and it would also provide safety and comfort to our customers when shopping at our stores.”

Central Retail earlier donated four negative pressure rooms costing VNĐ2 billion to medical facilities in HCM City and Hà Nội, essential medical supplies for frontline healthcare workers and fruits and vegetables and necessities to severely impacted provinces.

It has also been adopting initiatives to support farmers in Bắc Giang and Hải Dương by consumption of their produce amid the social distancing there. — VNS