HCM City ensures price stability, adequate food supply for upcoming holiday

Customers shop at a supermarket in HCM City. VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — HCM City has announced plans to ensure price stability and an adequate supply of essential goods while supporting those in need during the upcoming Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday, which begins on February 8.

Speaking at a meeting on Thursday, Nguyễn Văn Dũng, vice chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, said the city will allocate over VNĐ1.1 trillion to assist over 625,400 people in need during the Tết holiday.

The city will organise trips for workers to visit their hometowns and provide additional support to those in need, he said.

It will continue to focus this month on stimulating consumption and stabilising the market.

It will also work on developing tourism through the end of the year and the new year festivities, he added.

Bùi Tá Hoàng Vũ, director of the city Department of Industry and Trade, said the city will continue to monitor and evaluate the supply and demand of goods, especially essential items such as rice, meat, poultry, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and others, throughout the holiday.

To prevent speculation, hoarding, and the circulation of counterfeit goods in the market, the city will strengthen market inspections and management, he added.

In addition, the city will organise specialised trade exchange conferences with foreign business representative offices, foreign direct investment enterprises, and foreign business associations.

According to a report by the municipal Department of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs, Tết bonuses for employees this year at businesses will be around VNĐ12.3 million per person.

Sales promotions

Supermarkets, commercial centres, and convenience stores are offering various sales promotions with deep discounts to stimulate shopping demand and increase sales for the holiday.

Vũ, director of the city Department of Industry and Trade, said the department has issued a plan to implement its price stabilisation programme covering essential goods for Tết holidays.

Many businesses in the city have participated in price stabilisation programmes to ensure sufficient supply and stable prices for essential goods commonly consumed during the holiday.

The industry and trade sector has worked with the General Department of Market Surveillance and authorities in Thủ Đức City and districts to monitor price listings and inspect and control low quality goods and goods without clear origin prior to and during the festival, he said.

Spending for the upcoming Tết holiday is expected to increase by 10 per cent compared to the previous Tết holiday, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Lê Thị Huỳnh Mai, director of the Department of Planning and Investment, said total state budget revenue in January reached VNĐ54.7 trillion, or 94.2 per cent of the yearly estimate.

Imports and exports are expected to reach $3.8 billion in January, a 23.3 per cent increase year-on-year.

Tourism revenue is expected to increase by 57 per cent year-on-year.

Foreign direct investment inflows dropped by 29.8 per cent in January, while the number of businesses that were temporarily suspended in the city increased by 23.4 per cent year-on-year. — VNS