The Sustainable Business Assessment Program in Vietnam for the year 2023 (CSI 2023) was officially launched on May 31, 2023.

This marks the 8th year of the program's implementation, aimed at recognizing and commending businesses that excel in responsible production and socially and environmentally responsible business practices in all three aspects: economic, social, and environmental.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh, Vice Chairman of VCCI, Chairman of VBCSD, and Chairman of the CSI 2023 Program Evaluation Council, exchanged views with the council members.

This year, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), with its core being the Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development (VBCSD), organized the CSI 2023 Program in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, and the Central Economic Commission participating in the program's steering committee.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh, Vice Chairman of VCCI, Chairman of VBCSD, and Chairman of the CSI 2023 Program Evaluation Council, emphasized that the Vietnamese business community is facing numerous difficulties and challenges. Besides timely and coordinated support from the government, businesses need to have the right mindset about sustainable development. Sustainable development is not a cost or a burden but an investment and an opportunity for businesses. The CSI program will help raise awareness among businesses and society about the importance and benefits of sustainable development in the new context, as well as promote businesses to engage in sustainable business practices and implement sustainable corporate governance through the application of the CSI index.

Regarding the participation of businesses (as of September 8, 2023), Mr. Nguyen Tien Huy, Director of SD4B and Head of the CSI Program Secretariat, shared that the number of interested businesses has reached up to 500, with 159 businesses being evaluated as of now. The final number of businesses evaluated collectively will be updated after September 15, 2023.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Huy, Director of SD4B and Head of the CSI Program Secretariat, provided updates on the CSI 2023 Program.

According to Mr. Pham Hoang Hai, responsible for the technical aspects of the CSI Program, there are a total of 130 evaluation criteria, comprising 82 basic criteria and 48 advanced criteria.

Regarding the evaluation process, Mr. Hai explained that for each criterion, the Evaluation Council is required to assign a score to the businesses. The criteria are assessed on a scale of 5 different levels: Excellent – Good – Fair – Poor – Not applicable/Not implemented.

Mr. Pham Hoang Hai, in charge of the technical aspects of the CSI Program, introduced the process and evaluation criteria for business profiles.

Excellent: For businesses that meet the criteria, there is a full set of documentation demonstrating compliance (over the past 3 years or up to the submission date), which may include documents issued by leadership, implementation plans, actual implementation documents, reports, etc. This ensures the quality and effectiveness of the work.

Good: Lack of documentation for 1-2 years or up to the submission date. This still ensures the quality and effectiveness of the work.

Fair: Documents are issued by leadership but have not been implemented or are being implemented but lack relevant formal documents (decisions, approvals, strategies, etc.).

Poor: Just starting to implement ideas, plans, discussions, but there are no formal official documents issued, and practical activities have not yet commenced.

Not Applicable: Businesses that are supposed to comply but lack documentation or do not comply.

The announcement ceremony for the CSI 2023 Program is scheduled to take place in early December 2023.

Over 7 years of implementation, the CSI Program has attracted a diverse group of businesses (over 2000 businesses) operating in various fields nationwide to submit their applications. Being selected for the annual "Sustainable Business" list by the program is indeed a prestigious accolade and a recognition from the government, ministries, sectors, the business community, organizations, and society for the outstanding contributions of pioneering businesses to the sustainable development of the Vietnamese business community.

Simultaneously, this recognition also offers opportunities for businesses to enhance their reputation, brand, attract talent, explore new business opportunities by increasing the trust of partners, investors, and shareholders. It contributes to the development of sustainable business practices and enhances the competitive capabilities of businesses in the context of current international economic integration.

According to P. Nam (Business Forum Magazine).