For the first time, the Party Politburo issued Resolution 09 on Entrepreneurs with guidance to develop the role of Vietnamese entrepreneurs in the period of industrialization, modernization and international integration. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong had a working session with Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).
At the time when Vietnam is confronted with numerous challenges in the overall restructuring of the economy, the Resolution brings new development orientation meeting the demand of entrepreneurs. At the working session with VCCI in the morning of December 17, the General Secretary highly evaluated the role of Vietnamese entrepreneurs and said that in 81 years of the history of the Party, the first resolution of this kind has been issued to develop the role of the entrepreneurs.
According to the General Secretary, the role of entrepreneurs has been evaluated with increasing importance in the development of the country. In the documents of the 9th Party Congress, the position of entrepreneurs was listed after workers, peasants, women and adults. The documents of the 11th Party Congress, confirmed that the role of entrepreneurs must be encouraged and developed more vigorously.
Resolution 09 reaffirmed that together with the fast increase in quantity and size of businesses in all economic sectors, Vietnamese entrepreneurs continue to develop, contributing actively to the implementation of the strategy for socio-economic development, generating more jobs and improving social welfare and poverty reduction.
Most prominent in the Resolution is the creation of leveled placing field for entrepreneurs in business activities. As a result, “private businesses can access equally to development resources, especially in implementing projects in the form of public-private cooperation; encouraging private businesses to invest with State-owned enterprises.”
The Resolution promotes the formation of large enterprises of high efficiency and competitiveness, and at the same time reaffirms legal environment for healthy competition and liquidation of business monopoly and privilege.
The Resolution is considered by entrepreneurs as a development orientation, a task, an assertion on the role and position of private enterprises, and a commitment to more transparent and equitable business environment. Beside the liquidation of monopoly and privilege, the Resolution confirms the restructuring of State-owned enterprises with emphasis on State economic groups, corporations and commercial banks. It refers to the “admission of private entrepreneurs to the Party on experimental basis and facilitate representation of businesses in the political system.”
The Resolution advocates for dialogue and consultation to attain business contribution to the development of policy, law, strategy and planning of economic sectors and regions. It also stands for development of policy and mechanism on supervision and control to ensure transparency in relations between officials and businesses to prevent harassment caused to business activities.
At the working session, VCCI President Vu Tien Loc said: “The business community has contributed over 70 percent of the State budget revenue, recruiting 7.4 million workers or 81.7 percent of non-agricultural workers or 16.3 percent of the workforce of Vietnam.” However, the size of Vietnamese enterprises is small with 9 percent employing over 50 workers and 2.68 percent over 200 workers. Business efficiency remains low with high ratio of debts per capita and scattered investments. Private businesses have little chance to international biddings, face with barriers in access to technology, market and capital, poor management and shortage of development strategy.
Resolution 09 brings a new life to the business community as VCCI President puts it: “From now on, Vietnamese business community has a Party Resolution asserting their role, position and development orientation.”
Le Minh
Vietnamese
