Hanoi (VNA) - The Government of Vietnam has made accelerated effortsto improve the business climate but more drastic measures must be taken atlocal levels where firms still face obstacles in doing business, according tothe Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).

Resolution 19 has already made positive progress toward improving the businessclimate and national competitiveness, said Phan Duc Hieu, Deputy Director ofthe Central Institute for Economic Management, at an online conference held onMarch 23 by the Dien Dan Doanh Nghiep (Business Forum) newspaper.

However,Hieu said the progerss of reform remains slow at many local agencies due toslack officials and lack of accountability, determination as well as cooperation.

"The problem is how the policies are implemented. I have not seenbreakthroughs in implementation during the past three years.” Results were stillmuch below the expectations of most firms, he said.

“Challenges are ahead and great effort is needed for this period of reform,” Hieusaid, pointing out that reforms must now be hastened in order to realise theGovernment’s goal of doubling efficient firms to 1 million by 2020.

Hieusaid that while several localities were active in quickening reforms, otherslacked dynamism. “It is vital to create a transparent and fair workingenvironment to promote the efficiency of State officials. Business associationsmust play their role in raising their voices and calling for more actions bymanagement agencies to remove difficulties for firms,” said Hieu.

Accordingto Nguyen Van Thoi, President of the Thai Nguyen Province Business Association,policy-makers should force local agencies working directly with businesses tohasten reforms. Due to lack of sanctions, local agencies are stagnant in makingchanges, he said.

Thoi added that management agencies should regularly hold dialogues withbusinesses to listen to their difficulties and adopt measures to handle them.


Thoisaid that there should be a “meter” to measure results of reforms.

Nguyen Nhan Phuong, President of the Bac Ninh Province Business Association,said administrative procedures remain complicated and time-taking.

Phuong said supports, especially in land policies and credits, targeting smalland medium-sized firms should be raised.

At the conference, businesses said that reforms, such as e-tax and e-customs,helped cut business costs significantly, but greater effort were needed.

Experts said that accountability of heads of administrative management agenciesmust be promoted to speed up reforms. “What businesses want is a reform withquality,” said Dau Anh Tuan, head of the VCCI’s Legal Department.

InApril, the Prime Minister will hold a direct dialogue with businesses.-VNA