Vietnam's Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Dang Huy Dong speaks at the 45th meeting of the APEC Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Working Group on September 13 (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) – The 45th meeting of the APEC Small and Medium Enterprises(SMEs) Working Group kicked off in Ho Chi Minh City on September 13.
The two-day meeting is part of the24th APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Ministerial Meeting (SMEMM) scheduledfor September 15 in the southern hub.
Speaking at the event, Dang Huy Dong, Deputy Minister of Planning andInvestment of Vietnam, highlighted the role of SMEs, saying the enterprises accountfor 98 percent of total firms and have been playing an important part ofeconomic development and employment generation.
SMEs are a significant source of innovation, and theengine for economic growth in the Asia Pacific region, he added.
“Through APEC forums, SMEs have gained much knowledge, legislation in line withinternational economic practices. However, many SMEs are still struggling weakcompetitiveness. Therefore, APEC economies and SMEs jointly promote with theirown internal strengths through enhancing effective governance, facilitatetechnological innovation in priority access to finance, opening up new marketopportunities meanwhile ensuring an enabling environment for doing business,”he said.
Participants will focus their discussions on finding good examples ofentrepreneurship, innovation and access to finance, business ecosystems andmarket access for SMEs development.
They will also discuss potential for practical cooperation, and mostimportantly, identify prioritised areas to strengthen SMEs competitivenessthroughout the APEC region.
Established in 1989, APEC is now the largest economic trade cooperation groupin the Asia-Pacific region. It includes 21 member economies and accounts for 40percent of the global population, 55 percent of GDP and 44 percent of worldtrade.
Vietnam joined APEC in1998. SMEs employ more than 50 percent of the workforce and contribute over 40percent of the GDP in Vietnam.-VNA
A financial forum was organised in Ho Chi Minh City on September 11 to seek to enhance access to supply chain finance for micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs).
A symposium was held in Ho Chi Minh City on September 11 to promote innovative and dynamic startups and micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises in the APEC region.
The APEC 2017 Start-ups Forum was held in Ho Chi Minh City on September 12 to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to innovate, integrate and access to the global value chain right at their nascent business stage.
A workshop on enabling access to the digital economy of micro, small and medium sized enterprises was held in HCM City on Sept 12, as part of the 24th APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Ministerial Meeting.
Many international delegates at the freshly-ended APEC Start-ups Forum held in Ho Chi Minh City have said that there are a lot of business, trade and investment opportunities in Vietnam.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
The new halal cooperation arrangement will streamline halal certification and product assurance processes, making it easier for New Zealand exporters to access the Indonesian market.
Vietnam's Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Dang Huy Dong speaks at the 45th meeting of the APEC Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Working Group on September 13 (Photo: VNA) 
