Da Nang: Organized a program to connect more than 500 small and medium enterprises

DNHN - Recently, the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) of Da Nang City cooperated with Vietnam Small and Medium Enterprises Association (SMEs) Association Representative Office in the Central Highlands, Da Nang Department of Industry and Trade, Danang Investment Promotion and Support Board organized the second nationwide business connection program in Da Nang in 2022 with the theme "Cooperation and Investment".

According to Dr To Hoai Nam - Standing Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, currently, the country has about 800,000 enterprises, of which small and medium enterprises account for over 97%. In recent years, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have been affirming their important role as an important driving force for the economic development of localities, creating jobs, improving people's lives, ensuring social security, contributing to the socio-economic development of localities in particular and the country in general.

Through the program, local business associations together exchange operational experiences to further support member businesses for sustainable development and integration with the world economy. However, businesses should not be too hasty, but must carefully study the regulations, carefully prepare resources, and pay attention to the rules of origin, labour, safety, environment, consumer culture, etc. for quality products, not damaging reputation, or brand.

Mr Nam said that, at present, SME enterprises have a large number but very small scale, mainly unskilled labour, outdated technology, thin capital, fragmented market, labour productivity and low product quality, joint venture and cooperation support of businesses are weak, so small and medium enterprises also need to prepare and accelerate the digital transformation process, because digitalization is one of the important platforms to respond to developments in domestic and international markets. Besides, SMEs must strengthen cooperation, by all means, and participate in the supply chain.

According to Mr Pham Bac Binh - Chairman of the Association of SMEs in Da Nang City shared: At this event, local business associations exchanged operational experiences and signed cooperation agreements between associations about organizing events and activities to support member businesses. In addition, businesses have the opportunity to learn more about international integration, market situation, and competitiveness of Vietnamese enterprises and businesses from other countries in the region.

According to the leader of the Da Nang Department of Planning and Investment, in recent years, along with the policy of developing equal types of enterprises, created favourable conditions for non-state enterprises, especially small and medium-sized enterprises. 

Recently, non-state enterprises have continuously developed from a very low proportion, up to now in the city there are more than 34,000 enterprises, branches and representative offices operating, total registration number is nearly 250 trillion dongs.

Da Nang City currently has 350 investment projects in the country and outside the industrial park, with a total investment capital of more than 134 trillion VND; 378 investment projects in industrial parks and high-tech zones, concentrated industrial zones of 28 trillion VND, more than 926 FDI projects totalling about 3.9 billion USD, especially in Da Nang, 98% are small, medium and micro enterprises, so policies for businesses in this area must pay special attention, not just focusing on large enterprises and corporations.

Up to the present time, the Department of Planning and Investment has advised the City People's Committee on 15 policies in supporting businesses related to fields such as IT, agriculture and rural development, scientific innovation, support trade promotion, investment and loans, etc.

According to experts, to remove difficulties and obstacles in production and business, SMEs need to have a close connection and cooperation to jointly develop and expand the market. At the program, experts and business managers all said that: Innovation is the process of researching, developing, renewing products, and changing processes, services or business models, to create more benefits, and contribute to society with higher values.

The program aims to connect the participation of more than 500 member enterprises across the country and representatives of commercial banks, investment and development funds, etc. under the Business Associations of provinces and cities to jointly create opportunities for businesses across the country that are looking for partners to cooperate and invest, expand their business, exploit each other's potential and advantages, and cooperate in the model of clusters, groups of businesses with common or complementary industries to increase their ability to participate in the supply chain; for quick recovery and growth.

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