VCCI Advances its Role in Government-Business Collaboration

As the voice of the business community, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) consistently supports businesses, playing a proactive role in fostering a strong investment and business environment crucial for national development.

VCCI President Pham Tan Cong delivers his keynote address at the event

Remarkable accomplishments

At the mid-year conference on July 12, 2024, Mr. Pham Tan Cong, President of VCCI, highlighted that despite challenges in the first half of the year, VCCI's departments and units overcame obstacles, demonstrating unity and successfully fulfilling their assigned tasks. The entire VCCI system recorded a 10.88% increase in workload compared to the previous year and achieved 54.03% of the annual plan. Notably, several units surpassed the 50% mark of their annual targets, including the International Relations Department, the Legal Department, the WTO and Integration Center, the SME Support Center, the Ho Chi Minh City Branch, the Thanh Hoa - Ninh Binh Branch, and Teshimex Company.

According to President Cong, during the first half of the year, VCCI expanded its scope beyond traditional activities. It collaborated with the Central Commission of Propaganda and Education and the Central Economic Commission to host a national conference on disseminating and implementing Politburo Resolution 41/NQ-TW. This initiative aimed to strengthen and enhance the role of Vietnamese entrepreneurs in the new era.

Additionally, VCCI initiated the Action Program of its Party Committee to implement Resolution 41/NQ-TW. This move not only bolstered VCCI's political standing but also enabled its units to develop tailored programs and projects aligned with tasks outlined in Resolution 41/NQ-TW by the Politburo. VCCI garnered financial backing from state agencies and enterprises to further its objectives effectively.

VCCI actively participated in legislative processes and fostering a conducive business environment, dedicating resources that led to significant achievements. In the first half of 2024, VCCI provided feedback on 207 draft economic and business-related legal documents and policies, including several crucial ones acknowledged by relevant agencies.

Moreover, VCCI conducted diverse activities to support business development, aligning closely with Party and State resolutions on regional connectivity, promoting indigenous enterprise growth, bolstering the logistics sector, and cultivating a favorable communication environment to facilitate business expansion.

VCCI accelerated efforts to foster strong business association development, expand its membership base, and cultivate harmonious labor relations in a dynamic environment.

It prioritized bolstering nationwide connections with business associations, enhancing their operational capabilities through tailored training programs and comprehensive association handbooks. This proactive approach aimed to elevate service quality for VCCI members and attract new ones through extensive outreach via branches and representative offices across the country.

In promoting harmonious labor relations, VCCI took proactive steps to educate employers and employees on policies such as social insurance, health insurance and unemployment insurance. Additionally, it conducted specialized training sessions on labor laws and wage regulations, empowering enterprises with essential knowledge and ensuring compliance with legal standards.

Fostering entrepreneurial leadership in cultivating a business culture remained a focal point, yielding notable achievements. VCCI advanced scientific research on Vietnam's business culture, a key initiative for 2021-2026. It implemented the VCCI Action Program in response to Politburo Resolution 41, actively educating entrepreneurs on business ethics and promoting awareness of the six codes of conduct for Vietnamese entrepreneurs. VCCI also organized the Ho Chi Minh Thoughts on Business Culture Forum and launched the sixth photo contest themed "Enterprises - Driving Force for Vietnam's Development."

Connecting and supporting businesses in international economic integration through trade and investment promotion activities, providing legal support for businesses in trade defense, and grasping opportunities from free trade agreements were of constant concern. From January to June, VCCI hosted 81 trade and investment promotion and business support events; organized 87 working sessions for VCCI leaders with international delegations, with local leaders and with domestic and foreign associations. The agency also effectively represented Vietnam in multilateral dialogue mechanisms such as APEC and ASEAN BAC.

In the first half of 2024, VCCI's units synchronously and comprehensively implemented their annual plans, aligned with Party and State directives on economic affairs, and fulfilled tasks assigned by Party and State leadership. They closely adhered to the functions, tasks, and strategic plans outlined for 2024, focusing on six key task groups and advancing through the three strategic breakthrough stages outlined in the 7th VCCI Congress resolution.

VCCI ensured the secure and efficient management of facilities and technologies, achieving optimal revenue from office rentals despite challenging economic conditions. Employee welfare, both material and spiritual, remained a top priority, fostering a unified internal strength and comprehensive execution across all operational aspects.

VCCI's conference to review the achievements of the first half of 2024 and strategize for the remaining six months of the year

Stronger determination

VCCI President Pham Tan Cong said, in the second half of the year, alongside regular tasks, VCCI will prioritize executing critical objectives. This includes implementing the VCCI Action Program aligned with Party and State directives, particularly focusing on Resolution 41-NQ/TW of the Politburo to enhance the role of Vietnamese entrepreneurs in current dynamics. Additionally, VCCI aims to effectively carry out the Action Program derived from resolutions set forth during the 7th VCCI National Congress. This will involve organizing a comprehensive review conference to assess progress and promptly adjusting methodologies to align with practical needs.

VCCI remains dedicated to its role as the voice of the business community, actively shaping policy and legislation. It will continue to provide expert insights on policymaking and lawmaking processes while implementing directives from the Politburo aimed at advancing regional socioeconomic development. A key focus for VCCI in the upcoming period includes reinforcing regional economic linkages, particularly through the effective execution of the Cooperation Agreement with Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Hung Yen and Hai Duong provinces/cities. Additionally, VCCI aims to strengthen economic ties in the Mekong Delta region, fostering collaboration and synergy among local businesses and stakeholders to drive sustainable growth and prosperity.

Additionally, VCCI is committed to executing support programs aimed at boosting trade, investment, and international collaborations in strategic sectors. It will prioritize coordinating with localities, particularly provinces within the Vietnam Eastern Highway Economic Corridor (VEHEC), to organize trade and investment promotion missions to key markets.

In addition, VCCI will host important events such as the Vietnam National Sustainable Development Forum, the Vietnam-EU Partnership gathering, and the Vietnam-US Business Summit.

VCCI remains proactive in fostering innovation in membership development and enhancing connectivity among business associations. It will implement the "Membership Reform and Quality Improvement" project as scheduled, aimed at elevating service standards and member engagement. Furthermore, VCCI is committed to promoting Vietnamese business ethics and culture through our ongoing information and dissemination program. It will also collaborate closely with localities to conduct comprehensive reviews of PCI (Provincial Competitiveness Index) and PGI (Provincial Governance and Public Administration Performance Index) performances in 2023.

President Cong highlighted that in the latter half of 2024, VCCI will host several events including the 8th Meeting of the VCCI Executive Committee (7th term), the "Press-Business Partnership for Prosperous and Happy Vietnam" Forum, the National Forum on Sustainable Development, the Tax and Customs Dialogue Conference, the National Conference of Vietnam Business Associations, and special activities to commemorate Vietnam Entrepreneurs Day on October 13.

“The last six of the year poses challenges, yet holds numerous opportunities for VCCI to advance through reform and growth, solidifying its role in both the business community and society. Success hinges on the efforts and active engagement of all departments and units within VCCI to achieve our targets and fulfill our responsibilities effectively,” said VCCI President Pham Tan Cong.

By Lan Anh, Vietnam Business Forum