Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phucon February 12 ordered the intensification of the fight against both the acuterespiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) and the sluggishbehaviors at work amid the current epidemic.

During a meeting with representatives of ministries andagencies in Hanoi, the leader reiterated the policy of protecting citizens’lives partly at the expense of economic growth.

He asked for efforts to seek solutions to nationaldevelopment via production and services, economic restructuring, and capitaldisbursement.

Sectors were urged to devise their own plans to ensure economicgrowth as the 2020 target remains unchanged, as well as raise their sense ofresponsibility.

According to him, the Vietnam Tourism Advisory Board alsosuggested offering 30-day visa exemption for several markets to increasetourist arrivals.

The PM also mentioned several ways to cut visa and logisticscosts, not hike prices of electricity, health care, education and otherservices, and step up public investment and disbursement of officialdevelopment assistance, foreign direct investment and social investment.

The State Bank was required to closely monitor the marketand control exchange rates.

According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, theworld economy will continue shrinking this year due to Covid-19 outbreak withlosses estimated at 160 billion USD./.