Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade have implemented the price subsidized program in outlying districts of Ho Chi Minh City, to meet rising demands of suburban local residents.
According to the department, the volume of goods in the price subsidized program is accounting for 30-40 percent of the market demand, an increase of 20 percent from last year. So far, businesses have stockpiled goods 3-4 times more than planned at a total value of around VND5.65 trillion (US$265 million).
Leaders of several communes in suburban districts said that earlier residents did not pay attention to the price subsidized program. However they have now changed their mind.
Nguyen Thi Hoang Anh, chairwoman of the People’s Committee in Nhon Duc Commune of Nha Be District said that people in her commune were eager to buy subsidized goods for the coming Tet festival. The commune is about to open two centres for sale of subsidized goods, to meet a surging demand.
Le Thi Mai, a grocery store owner in Hiep Phuoc Industrial Zone in Nha Be District said several residents and workers have now switched to buying at Co-op Food stores, rather than at her shop.
Worker Nguyen Van Ly from Le Minh Xuan Industrial Zone in Binh Chanh District said that markets selling Vietnamese made goods offer a diverse variety of products.
Low quality imported goods like tainted chicken legs, toxic melon seeds and spices are continually being uncovered by authorities. This has led consumers to buy subsidized commodities, as most are genuine, hygienic and domestically produced.
Mai Xuan Tan, deputy chairman of Xuan Thoi Thuong Commune in Hoc Mon District said local people prefer subsidized goods for their good quality and preferential prices.
