Hanoi (VNA)𝔉 - The Domestic Market Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has worked with major distributors such as VinMart, Big C and Saigon Co.op as well as manufacturers to have scenarios and plans to ensure sufficient supply of essential goods amid the nCoV-2019 epidemic.

Given the complicated developments of the acute respiratory disease caused by the new strain of coronavirus (2019-nCoV), the Ministry of Industry and Trade has devised plans to ensure supply of essential goods in the domestic market.

VietnamPlus e-newspaper had an interview with Tran Duy Dong, Director of the ministry’s Domestic Market Department about this issue.

♚[Ministry seeks to sell farm produce in face of nCoV outbreak]

Reporter: What are the ministry’s plans to ensure supply of essential goods?

Tran Duy Dong൩: In the past few days, demand for medical supplies such as face masks, antiseptic solutions and medical gloves has surged. The Domestic Market Department has coordinated with market management agencies throughout the country to inspect and punish businesses that are stockpiling supplies and inflating prices.

The department has also collaborated with local departments of industry and trade to discuss measures to ensure the domestic production and to avoid a shortage of goods. Businesses are committed to increasing production of masks for the market. However, these items' quality must be certified by the Ministry of Health before being distributed. The department has developed a plan and discussed it with the Ministry of Health to increase the supply of medical items. As for other necessities such as food, foodstuff and vegetables, we have worked with major distributors such as VinMart, Big C, Saigon Co.op and many producers to prepare supplies.

Reporter: How is the stockpiling system and sales network organised?

Tran Duy Dong👍: Under the direction of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Industry and Trade, the domestic market has prepared for various scenarios, including one for the worst situation: a full blown epidemic.

We have requested big retailers such as Vinmart, Big C, Saigon Co.op to increase stocks in the first quarter by 30-50 percent compared to 2019. Some retailers have provided data indicating that stockpiles of essential food products have increased by 30-50 percent. For example, Vinmart plans to increase its rice supply by 50 percent, pork and chicken by 30 percent, beef, seafood and processed foods by about 40 percent, and fruit, vegetables and cooking oil on similar levels. The department has also requested wholesale markets to increase supplies.

Reporter: Recently there were some worries about supply of essential goods. What is your opinion about this issue?

Tran Duy Dongཧ: I think we can be assured of supply of essential goods, including food. China has closed cross-border markets amid the outbreak until February 8, so the MoIT is looking for solutions to boost domestic consumption of agricultural products.

However, in the past few days, traders at a handful of markets have increased prices of fruit and vegetables after running short of supplies during the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday.

The department has worked with production units to prepare goods and regulate supply and demand.

Reporter: How is food safety guaranteed?

Tran Duy Dong📖: Food safety is being strictly monitored at the moment. Market management agencies have intensified their inspections.

The department has also asked them to increase inspections of the transport, circulation and trade of wildlife products or those with a high risk of disease transmission. The law bans such activities, but inspections must be strengthened. We have also asked suppliers and distributors to tighten control of imported goods to ensure food hygiene and safety as well as origin traceability.

Reporter: What are your forecasts for 2020?

Tran Duy Dong🦄: The recent epidemic will affect the domestic market. First, total sales of goods and services this year may decrease due to its impacts on the food and entertainment sectors.

Second, people may move from traditional markets to supermarkets and shopping centres to seek safer sources of food with better quality and traceability to avoid infection. Third, people will go online to avoid direct contact, thus reducing cash payments. Our department has collaborated with the Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy to work with trade centres and distribution systems to support their sales and payment methods./.