A forum on the linkage and investment opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) was held in Ho Chi Minh City on December 9 as part of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Linkages for Small and Medium Enterprises (USAID LinkSME) project.

The event was organised by the USAID in collaboration with the municipal Department of Industry and Trade, the HCM City Export Processing and Industrial Zones Authority (HEPZA), and the Saigon Hi-Tech Park.

Addressing the event, Deputy Director of the HCM City Department of Industry and Trade Nguyen Phuong Dong said the department has provided local SMEs with a wide range of support to boost the growth of supporting industries.

HCM City has made relentless efforts to develop local land bank and infrastructure with three industrial parks set up exclusively for SMEs and supporting industry, said Tran Viet Ha from HEPZA.

HEPZA has also worked hard to bridge the local SMEs with new partners and markets, he continued, adding it has also cooperated with the municipal Department of Industry and Trade to diversify supporting industry support programmes, covering from administrative services, access to funding to preferential incentives and consultation.

Robert Green, US Deputy Consul General in HCM City urged Vietnamese SMEs to be more flexible to make the most of opportunities from the global shift of supply chains while trade promotion agencies must engage in fostering connection between the SMEs and large corporations that lead supply chains.