Under the theme "Businesses United – Long An Developing," the Congress saw the participation of Nguyễn Văn Được, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and Chairman of the Long An Provincial People's Council; Nguyễn Thanh Hải, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Head of the National Assembly Delegation for Long An; Nguyễn Văn Út, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Long An Provincial People's Committee; former provincial leaders, along with representatives of provincial departments and over 500 business delegates representing companies operating in the province.
According to statistics from the Long An Provincial People's Committee, as of the first quarter of 2024, Long An had established more than 500 new businesses, with a total registered capital of over 6.9 trillion VND. Currently, the province has over 17,400 registered businesses with a total capital of over 379 trillion VND; more than 2,200 domestic investment projects (DDI) with registered capital exceeding 300 trillion VND. With a policy focusing on deep and qualitative member development, the Executive Committee of the Long An Business Association (LBA) consists of 66 members, operating under the mission of sustainable development for the business community in Long An. Over the past five years since the 3rd Congress, the association has grown by more than 300 members, including official, affiliated, and sectoral members, who are active across various industries in the province.
Motto: "3 Musts - 3 Dares - 3 Increases"
Long An has competitive advantages in fast and sustainable development, making it an attractive and reliable destination for domestic and international investors, particularly in the services and tourism sectors, contributing to the growth of the Mekong Delta region and the country. During the Congress, Nguyễn Văn Được, Secretary of the Long An Provincial Party Committee, shared that entrepreneurs and businesses should adopt the motto "3 Musts - 3 Dares - 3 Increases." The 3 Musts are: must love the homeland, love the country, and love one’s own business; must have courage, ambition, and the will to prosper; must be responsible to the country, the community, and the enterprise. The 3 Dares include daring to think big to succeed (think big - do big); daring to persevere through storms, difficulties, and challenges; and daring to innovate and be creative (in production technology and environmental management). The 3 Increases consist of increasing production and business beyond the annual plan, expanding production and business; increasing innovation and upgrading production technology levels; and increasing revenue - profit - tax contributions.
According to Nguyễn Văn Được, the values of life and the philosophy of business are fundamental and decisive to a company’s success or failure. Entrepreneurs, as human beings, must also have personal values such as honesty, responsibility, credibility, compassion, kindness, tolerance, generosity, and open-mindedness.
"Summarizing that 85% of business success comes from relationships is a very valuable insight. The essence of business is building, developing, and maintaining relationships," said Nguyễn Văn Được, Secretary of the Long An Provincial Party Committee.
At the Congress, the Secretary also expressed confidence in the businesses in the province for supporting the Long An Party Committee and government through their collaboration and shared difficulties. "Taking businesses as the center; the overall solution is to significantly improve the investment and business environment, making it more favorable for business development." Additionally, following the motto of Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính: "Don't say no, don't say it's difficult, don't say yes but not do it; if you say it, you must do it, if you commit, you must deliver, and if you deliver, it must produce tangible results," Secretary Nguyễn Văn Được affirmed Long An’s commitment to always stand by, share, encourage, and fully take on board the opinions of the Long An Business Association to build a strong and united business community.
Notable Highlights of the Long An Business Association
During the 2019-2024 term, under the direction of the Long An Provincial Party Committee and the Long An Provincial People's Committee, with strong support from provincial departments and local governments, the Long An Business Association successfully fulfilled its function and mission of representing and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of its members, providing consulting and support to businesses, and acting as a bridge between government agencies and businesses. The association’s activities have brought tangible benefits to businesses, improved the investment environment, enhanced competitiveness, and significantly contributed to the socio-economic development of Long An province. Most entrepreneurs and businesses in the province are dynamic and socially responsible, gradually enhancing their reputation, brand value, and creating a value chain in the regional and global markets. They have affirmed their pioneering role and made significant contributions to the province. Additionally, through advocacy efforts and operational funding, the Long An Business Association has contributed more than 21 billion VND to social welfare activities in the province. Furthermore, member companies have donated hundreds of billions of VND to charitable and community activities both in Long An and across the country over the past five years.
Over its 17 years of establishment and development (founded under Decision No. 1740/QD-UBND on July 2, 2007, by the Long An Provincial People's Committee), the Long An Business Association has made significant efforts, overcoming many challenges and increasingly affirming its role in gathering, connecting, supporting, and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of businesses, while also serving as a bridge between businesses and the government at all levels.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which account for the majority (over 90%), are an essential force contributing to economic growth, creating jobs and income for workers, contributing approximately 25% of the GRDP, and attracting over 30% of the workforce in the provincial enterprise sector. The association has actively participated in advocacy and mobilization efforts among members and the business community to participate in meaningful programs and movements launched by the Long An Party Committee and government, especially in social welfare initiatives, contributing to strengthening the great national unity.
At the Congress, the election process successfully appointed the Executive Committee of the Long An Business Association for the new term, consisting of 62 members. Trịnh Văn Hải, born in 1966, Chairman of Hải Sơn Company, was elected as Chairman of the Long An Business Association for the 4th term (2024-2029). Nguyễn Văn Út, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Long An Provincial People's Committee, was elected Honorary Chairman of the Long An Business Association for the 4th term.
Võ Quốc Thắng, Chairman of the Long An Business Association for the 3rd term (2019-2024), continues to serve as a member of the VCCI Executive Committee and Chairman of the Council of Mekong Delta Business Associations. Thắng will assist in connecting 13 provinces in the Mekong Delta, aiming to create a favorable business environment and develop the region. This not only promotes regional economic growth but also strengthens the unity of business associations, creating a unified voice for the national business community, with the goal of sustainable development.
At the same time, the 4th-term Executive Committee of the Long An Business Association has set its direction and outlined several key targets, including increasing membership by 5% annually, aiming for 600 members by the end of the term; establishing 5 new sectoral or group-based chapters; and setting 8 new key tasks. During the Congress, the Long An Business Association donated 500 million VND to the Fund for the Poor, 500 million VND to the Long An Education Promotion Fund, and 356 million VND to support those affected by Typhoon No. 3, demonstrating a strong spirit of mutual support. On this occasion, the Long An Provincial People's Committee honored and awarded the Long An Business Association with a Certificate of Merit for its outstanding contributions to the province’s socio-economic development.
Uyen Nhi - Lap Nguyen
