VCCI Records Consecutive Growth

VCCI Records Consecutive Growth

In the first half of 2004, Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) achieved 60 per cent of the year's plan and a growth rate of 35 per cent against the same period last year. VCCI has maintained high growth rates and  improved its performance by applying new methods.

VCCI has always implemented domestic and international programmes and projects on schedule or ahead of schedule. In the first six months, VCCI signed four more agreements with trade and investment organisations of other countries.

Since early this year, VCCI has organised some 60 seminars, conferences and workshops throughout Vietnam to discuss and recommend the development of policies and laws to the government. The Chamber has focused particularly on solutions for business constraints regarding taxation and customs.

VCCI has also played a representative for employers in Vietnam. It has, for example, signed agreements with the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour to enhance the tripartite mechanism in the development of law and policies relating to labour relations in Vietnam.

To promote trade and investment and assist businesses and associations in international economic integration, in the first six months of 2004, VCCI  organised 94 business delegations to other countries and received 388 foreign delegations into Vietnam, and has sponsored four exhibitions at home and 19 exhibitions abroad to promote business understanding and relations. The Chamber also organised 177 seminars and conferences to promote trade among businesses. In the same period, VCCI admitted 545 new members, increasing its membership to nearly 7,000, issued over 176,000 certificates of origin and has organised 288 training courses on legal framework and business strategy. The Chamber has provided information and consultancy on policies and laws, and settled 25 complaints and disputes among 47 enterprises. The VCCI website, vibonline.com.vn, advises businesses on legal implications, vcci.com.vn on business promotion, and smenet.com.vn and vnemart.com.vn on small and medium enterprises and markets. The VCCI newspaper, Dien dan Doanh nghiep and its website dddn.com.vn along with the Vietnam Business Forum magazine and vibforum.vcci.com.vn as well as other publications have focused on the promotion of trade and investment.

Although there are still some constraints, VCCI with its branches, representative offices and affiliated companies have contributed significantly to the development of the Vietnamese business community.

In the second half of 2004, VCCI will continue its efforts in the development of businesses and international economic integration, by recommending and clarifying relevant policies and laws, improving the investment environment and increasing international cooperation.

• Nguyen Thoa