MOFA and Vietnamese Diplomatic Missions Abroad always support SMEs
WVR - On December 30, in Hanoi, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang attended and delivered remarks at the workshop titled "Enhancing the Role of Vietnamese Diplomatic Missions Abroad in Supporting SMEs for Effective and Meaningful Participation in International Markets."
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| Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang attended at the workshop titled "Enhancing the Role of Vietnamese Diplomatic Missions Abroad in Supporting SMEs for Effective and Meaningful Participation in International Markets.". (Photo: Anh Son/WVR) |
The workshop served as a platform for businesses, business associations, experts, and representatives from various ministries and sectors to share experiences and solutions aimed at promoting the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Participants included Dr. To Hoai Nam, Executive Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the Vietnam Association of Small and Medium Enterprises; representatives of business associations; the Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade; and SMEs from sectors such as seafood, agricultural products, and textiles.
The workshop was part of the framework of Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) and the project titled "Enhancing the Role of Vietnamese Diplomatic Missions Abroad in Supporting SMEs in Post-Pandemic Recovery and International Economic Integration," organized by the Department of Multilateral Economic Cooperation under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). The event took place in three cities: Ho Chi Minh City (December 26), Da Nang (December 28), and Hanoi (December 30).
Speaking at the event, Deputy Foreign Minister Hang emphasized that Vietnamese SMEs play a particularly significant role, making substantial contributions to the country's socio-economic development.
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| Deputy Foreign Minister Hang emphasized that Vietnamese SMEs play a particularly significant role. (Photo: Anh Son) |
SMEs account for 98% of all businesses nationwide, contribute approximately 30-35% to state budget revenues, and, notably, provide jobs for around 50% of the workforce.
These figures underscore the crucial role of Vietnamese SMEs in the economy, particularly as the country enters a new era.
Deputy Minister Hang emphasized that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Vietnam's 94 diplomatic missions abroad are fully aware of their responsibility to promote economic diplomacy and to contribute to, support, and accompany the development of Vietnamese SMEs.
In her remarks, Deputy Minister Hang expressed her appreciation for the passion and valuable contributions shared by the participants at the workshop. These insights help the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Vietnam's diplomatic missions better understand the integration needs of associations and Vietnamese SMEs as the country enters a new phase of development.
The Deputy Minister emphasized that through the workshops held across the three regions of the country, stakeholders have recognized the necessity of fostering a framework for collaboration between associations, SMEs, and international partners, leading to more concrete cooperative arrangements.
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| Overview of the workshop. (Photo: Anh Son) |
With supply chain shifts presenting both opportunities and challenges for SMEs, the Government and relevant agencies are working to enhance the participation of Vietnamese businesses, particularly SMEs, in the value chains of major corporations. This approach aims to create opportunities for these enterprises to integrate more deeply into global markets.
The Deputy Minister also encouraged associations and SMEs to fully leverage the benefits of the free trade agreements Vietnam has signed, diversify markets—particularly emerging and high-potential markets such as the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America—and strengthen efforts in training, information sharing, and networking.
She affirmed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, adhering to its principle of putting citizens, localities, and businesses at the center of its service, will continue to support associations and enterprises, including SMEs.
The Deputy Minister called on the Ministry’s departments and diplomatic missions to provide clear contact points to support businesses readily and to maintain regular exchanges with enterprises to develop concrete cooperation programs in the future.
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| Vietnamese Diplomatic Missions abroad participate through online workshop. (Photo: Anh Son) |
At the workshop, Dr. To Hoai Nam, Executive Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the Vietnam Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (VINASME), highlighted that SMEs not only play a pivotal role in the domestic economy but also make significant contributions to export and import activities, thereby enhancing Vietnam's position in international markets.
Dr. Nam emphasized that in the context of ongoing global economic fluctuations, the support of Vietnam's diplomatic missions abroad is increasingly essential for the development of Vietnamese SMEs.
“The role of these missions in fostering connections, promoting trade, and assisting businesses in integrating into global supply chains is key to helping SMEs achieve sustainable growth and establish their position in international markets,” Dr. Nam stressed.
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| At Session 2, panelists addressed ways to enhance the effectiveness ot the support provided by Vietnamese Representative Missions abroad. (Photo: Anh Son) |
Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy, Director of the Project Management Board and Deputy Director General of the Department of Multilateral Economic Cooperation under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed her hope that the event would serve as a valuable opportunity for businesses in northern Vietnam to engage directly with Vietnam's diplomatic missions abroad and representatives from various ministries and sectors. This interaction would help highlight the challenges, obstacles, and practical support needs of businesses in accessing international markets.
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| Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy, Director of the Project Management Board and Deputy Director General of the Department of Multilateral Economic Cooperation, MOFA, speaks at the event. (Photo: Anh Son) |
During the workshop, participants took part in two discussion sessions. At Session 1, panelists focused on the integration of SMEs into the global economy. At Session 2, speakers addressed ways to enhance the effectiveness of the support provided by Vietnamese Representative Missions abroad.
Notably, the discussions were dynamic, with delegates identifying opportunities and challenges for SMEs in accessing and exploiting foreign markets. They also explored measures to support businesses through Vietnamese Representative Missions.
