Project connects Vietnam’s SMEs, top supply chain companies
The Ministry of Planning and Investment together with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) held a workshop entitled ‘Supporting Small and Medium Enterprises in Adapting to the New Normal’ on December 8.
Hanoi (VNA) - The Ministry of Planning and Investment together with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) held a workshop entitled ‘Supporting Small and Medium Enterprises in Adapting to the New Normal’ on December 8.
The event formed part of the USAID-funded Linkages for Small and Medium Enterprises (LinkSME) project, which aims to improve business climate and open up opportunities for SMEs in Vietnam with a budget of 24.9 million USD. It will be carried out until September 2023.
The project has helped SMEs seal 64 orders worth nearly 1.3 million USD with top supply chain companies and arranged 11 training courses for more than 700 SMEs in relevant sectors, said Le Manh Hung, Director of the Enterprise Development Agency at the Ministry of Planning and Investment.
More than 500 SMEs obtained training to improve financial access and management. By late December, 10 firms will have received new loans totalling 120 billion VND (5.23 million USD).
Furthermore, the project built an action plan to improve financial access capacity in the 2021-25, a website to update information in the field for SMEs, and tools for firms to conduct financial self-assessment.
Over 500 businesses have gained evaluation on their readiness for digital transformation while 100 others received consultation to address challenges in the process./.
Representatives from associations, commercial banks, international organisations and businesses gathered at a virtual conference in Hanoi on September 30 to discuss preferential financial sources to aid small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)' recovery amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Most of Vietnam’s logistics firms may struggle to operate and sharpen their competitive edge in the new context if they are not quickly to engage in digital transformation.
According to a study by Cisco Secure, as many as 59 percent SMEs in Vietnam have been victims of cyberattacks in the past year, of which 86 percent lost customer information to malicious hackers.
A pitching day to promote trade connection between small medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of Vietnam and the Chungcheong region of the Republic of Korea (RoK) took place both in face-to-face and online forms in Daejeon city on November 16.
The event aimed to update businesses on new regulations and compliance requirements regarding US tax, trade, and customs policies, while offering practical solutions to facilitate exports amid shifting trade dynamics.
The festival marks a significant milestone in promoting the brand, value, and legacy of traditional fish sauce - a product deeply rooted in the island’s identity and history spanning over 200 years.
According to Mastercard data, Vietnam has recorded a remarkable 92% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in contactless transaction volume from Q4 2022 to Q4 2024.
Tuan expressed his confidence that LH, with its expertise and experience, would swiftly implement the urban area project, contributing to a modern urban landscape for the province.
With its strategic location, abundant workforce, and modern infrastructure, Vietnam holds significant potential to become a leading centre for power and electronics production in the region and the world.
The renewable energy workforce training and development centre, invested by Germany's GEO Group, is expected to be a cornerstone in shaping Binh Dinh as a renewable energy and innovation hub in central Vietnam, meeting the growing demand for skilled technical personnel in offshore wind, solar farms, and green hydrogen projects.
A notable trend is the shift toward satellite regions. With land scarcity and soaring prices in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, investors are eyeing provinces like Hung Yen, Bac Ninh, and Hai Phong, which are benefiting from improved technical infrastructure and transport connectivity.
To further strengthen private-sector innovation, Bac Ninh plans to accelerate administrative reforms, build a digital, service-oriented government, and develop an integrated innovation ecosystem that connects businesses with domestic and international institutions, universities, and experts.
The participation of H&M, one of the world's largest fashion corporations, in Vietnam International Sourcing 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City in early September is considered a special highlight, opening up many cooperation opportunities for Vietnamese businesses in the fashion, textiles and sustainable supply chains.
This latest order builds on a previous agreement signed at the Singapore Airshow last year for 40 engines, bringing the total number of Trent 7000 engines ordered by the airline to 80.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien acknowledged that despite concerted efforts by ministries and local authorities in combating fake and substandard goods, the situation remains highly complicated, attributing the persistent challenges to high profits luring numerous participants, increasingly sophisticated violations, limited resources within enforcement agencies.
The group also placed among the Top 5 energy companies in Southeast Asia and secured the top spot among the largest Vietnamese enterprises featured on the list.
The zone will cover 1,881 ha, comprising functional areas for production, logistics, trade and services, digital technology industry, information technology, and innovation.
Dung underlined several key objectives, including a comprehensive review of the legal framework governing SOEs, and called for updates that reflect international standards and support modern, transparent governance.
While the US market has become more difficult to access due to new tax policies, Australia could play the role of a trade cushion, helping to reduce shocks and maintain export momentum for Vietnam's shrimp industry.
A delegate speaks at the event (Photo: VNA) 
