HA NOI (VNS) — The Ministry of Finance has issued Directive No 3847/BTC-QG asking relevant municipal and provincial departments to enhance price management and stabilisation.

The move came as part of efforts to prevent dealers from pushing up the prices of essential commodities improperly on the back of rising retail petrol prices, which rose by VND1,430 (US$0.07) to VND24,580 ($1.18) per litre from March 28.

Relevant agencies were requested to constantly monitor prices of key commodities like food, foodstuff, medicine, milk and gas, as well as transport services.

At the same time, they must keep a close eye on price registration and declaration, clamp down on price hike registrations which are not directly affected by the fuel cost adjustment, and supervise the prices of products and services decided by the State. Those engaged in production with intensive use of petroleum and oil are also encouraged to innovate technology and apply fuel-saving solutions to help increase output and lower prices. — VNS