Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen XuanPhuc on December 2 ordered more efficient measures to overcome consequencescaused by natural disasters and help affected residents return to their normallives.

Speaking at a Cabinet meeting, PM Phucsaid it is a must to improve the capacity of monitoring and responding tonatural disasters, adding a detailed landslide map in the central region should bemade.

Given the latest COVID-19 infections in Ho Chi MinhCity, he stressed the need to stay vigilant and closely control the situation,especially in Hanoi, HCM City and other big cities.

Regarding economic recovery, the PM urged stepping upthe export of products to key markets, accelerating the disbursement of officialdevelopment assistance (ODA), promoting private investment, and further reformingthe domestic investment environment so as to optimise opportunities to attractforeign capital.

Greater efforts are needed to speed up the developmentof the digital economy, the building of the e-Government and cashless payment, theleader requested.

He called for new initiatives to stimulate domesticconsumption, increase production output, create more jobs and promote growth inrural areas.

The PM said, thanks to synchronous, drastic measures adoptedby the Government last month, the country is expected to grow 2.5 percent, evenreaching 3 percent this year.

The consumer price index (CPI) in the January-Novemberperiod inched up only 3.51 percent as compared with the same period last year,he said, noting that the target of containing the inflation rate at 3.4-3.5percent in 2020 is feasible.

Highlighting the record trade surplus of 20 billionUSD in the 11 months, PM Phuc said the export-import outcomes reflect theeffect of free trade agreements signed recently.

The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), effectivesince August 1, has contributed to reviving the country’s exports to Europe,he said, adding that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement,which is expected to be put into place in the time ahead, will also bring inmany opportunities for exports, investment and tourism.

On this occasion, the leader assigned the Ministry ofPlanning and Investment to join hands with the Ministry of Finance in implementingan aid package to support the aviation and tourism sectors which have been badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic./.