The business opportunity forum themed "Access to support from international and Vietnamese organisations - opportunity for Vietnamese enterprises in 2013" is a practical event held recently in Hanoi with the aim of helping Vietnamese enterprises to meet, shorten the time and save costs in seeking domestic and international partners and opening up new opportunities in 2013.
The forum was organised by External Service Centre, the Department of Foreign Affairs of Hanoi City in collaboration with the Hanoi Woman Entrepreneurs Association. The Vietnam Business Forum has an interview with Mr Nguyen Van Dong, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Trade and Industry, on this issue. Anh Phuong reports.
Could you tell us more about the purpose of this forum?
The forum was attended by 500 businesspeople and representatives from international organisations, and embassies of foreign countries in Vietnam. Also in the framework of this forum, delegates and many business leaders had access to more useful information from many different sources. The forum had information about green business opportunities from Europe for a sustainable economy in Vietnam (represented by European Business Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam - EuroCham), French partner and customer searching support programmes for Vietnamese businesses (represented by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam - CCIFV), information about market, ODA and FDI enterprises for Vietnamese enterprises (Embassy of the Czech Republic in Vietnam), Vietnamese business support programme in agriculture and wastewater treatment (Embassy of Israel in Vietnam), Business opportunities & supports for Vietnamese enterprises exporting to Russia (the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Vietnam-Russia Bank), information on the innovation, creativity support funds for Vietnamese enterprises (IPP Finland), Vietnam-Italy trade promotion and business matching programmes (Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam - Icham ),information about ODA and promotion in textiles, leather, footwear, chemicals and IT (Indian Embassy), inclusive business model (VVCF Fund - UK AID), etc.
What are the major points of this forum?
According to the results obtained from this forum, many Vietnamese businesses learned about the inclusive business model - a business model with low-income people, created by Vietnam Business Challenge Fund (VBCF). With this business model, small businesses or low-profit businesses can find new directions.
VBCF in Vietnam said it will choose to finance enterprises with clear business proposals and orientations and with the participation of low-income people. VBCF will provide non-reimbursable funding for projects based on results obtained in important stages. Enterprises will invest more than 50 per cent of capital in the projects. Ms Le Thi Thanh Huyen, Deputy Director of Industry - Trade Committee under the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, said world economies are forecast to continue developing complicatedly and posing potential risks in 2013. Domestic economy may also face numerous difficulties. To support businesses in the country, the Government offered basic assistances but enterprises themselves have to actively seek the right ways to go to fit with global and domestic economic situations in 2013.
Apart from assistance from foreign donors, do local authorities have any policies to empower the business community to pass through this difficult period?
Through this forum, the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade announced a mechanism to support Hanoi-based enterprises to build and develop brand names, a programme to promote trade with other countries in 2013. The department provided information on interest rate supports for businesses’ investments as stated in the Decision 2650/QD-UBND (dated June 14, 2012) and Decision 4406/QD-PC (dated October 3,2012), and guided borrowing procedures. In early 2013, the Hanoi People’s Committee issued the Action Programme 22/Ctr-UBND (dated January 29, 2013) where it continues instructing the implementation of interest rate support for enterprises.
Mr Kimmo Lahdevirta, Finnish Ambassador to Vietnam
Finland attaches great importance to the operation of small and medium-sized enterprises. SMEs play an important role in the country’s growth and development process. This explains why Finland also focuses on developing operating modes and scales of private enterprises. In addition, Finland is well known for its innovation and creativity and has become one of the most competitive economies in the world for over a decade. This success is majorly resulted from education and idea development. Finland wants to share this experience and help develop Vietnam’s economic development.
Mr Nguyen Xuan Hoang, Chairman of the Board of Members of International Medical Consultants Co., Ltd. (IMC)
2013 is forecast to be another tough year for businesses. Thus, we think that this forum opened up many opportunities of cooperation and investment for businesses. We hope that State agencies open more forums like this in order to provide information on investment cooperation for enterprises. Besides, we recommend authorities consider, amend and supplement necessary administrative procedures to help businesses access low-rate capital sources and information on investment opportunities.
Mr Tran Anh Viet, Director of Sacombank Hanoi
In Sacombank’s stance, capital is always vital for the existence of any business regardless of size. Therefore, in addition to mass support programmes and policies, Sacombank also provides industry-specific products and services for customers operating in pharmaceuticals, and health sectors. Also, Sacombank has a really professional account management service which serves as a safe bridge for foreign investment in Vietnam. The bank also consults risk prevention financial instruments for enterprises and provides market information for FDI enterprises.
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