The overview of the 7th Meeting of the VCCI Executive Committee (7th term)

Collaborating with enterprises to navigate and surmount obstacles

During the 7th Meeting of the VCCI Executive Committee (7th term) held on March 8, VCCI President Pham Tan Cong, articulated that the VCCI had exerted considerable effort to surmount challenges, strengthen unity, and accomplish the mission of bolstering the business community. Additionally, the VCCI undertook irregular tasks delegated by the Party and State.

Beyond its regular operations, the VCCI initiated numerous innovative activities and adopted new methodologies. These included a program aimed at enhancing the quality of lawmaking and policymaking, thereby facilitating a conducive business environment. Other initiatives encompassed the announcement of sustainable businesses, economic forums organized by the Business Forum Magazine, as well as international cooperation, international trade promotion, business training, and C/O granting programs.

In 2023, the VCCI triumphantly accomplished its most crucial task outlined in the Work Plan: The summarization of Resolution 09-NQ/TW of the 11th Politburo, which focuses on building and promoting the role of Vietnamese entrepreneurs. Furthermore, the VCCI provided counsel on the construction of a new draft resolution intended to supersede Resolution 09. In this regard, the VCCI actively collaborated with the Central Economic Commission, led numerous significant activities within the project’s framework that summarized the 10-year implementation of Resolution 09-NQ/TW, developed a new draft resolution and submitted it to the Politburo.

VCCI hosted a foundational event for corporate communications: Signing the Coordination Program between VCCI and the Central Propaganda Committee, the Ministry of Information and Communications, and the Vietnam Journalists Association. This event, organized by the Business Information Center (BIZIC), the Business Forum Magazine and other agencies, concurred with the Forum “Press and business working together for a prosperous and happy Vietnam.”

Cong said, in addition to the above foundational activities, in 2023, beyond the foundational initiatives, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) orchestrated a series of socially impactful events, most notably the 60th anniversary of its establishment. This commemoration fortified its standing and influence in the country's business community.

In a collaborative effort with the Vietnam Musicians Association, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) successfully hosted a competition for composing business-themed songs. This culminated in the unveiling of a song for Vietnamese entrepreneurs on Vietnam Entrepreneurs Day, October 13, 2023. The song, which gained widespread recognition, served as a source of inspiration for entrepreneurs and businesses to navigate challenging times.

In 2023, VCCI provided valuable insights on 406 draft legal documents, including several laws which are important for economic growth. These insights were well-received by legislative bodies. VCCI also spearheaded 100 conferences and seminars, creating a platform for over 18,000 businesses, associations and economic experts to engage and collaborate. In its commitment to sustainable development, VCCI advised localities on enhancing the business investment environment and implementing the Provincial Green Index (PGI) and the Corporate Sustainability Index (CSI).

Throughout the year, VCCI was instrumental in fostering trade and investment. It saw a remarkable 3.8-fold increase in incoming promotion delegations and a 20% rise in outgoing ones compared to 2022. Despite facing challenges and resource constraints, VCCI continued to support exporters and importers by confirming commercial documents, such as granting Certificates of Origin (C/O).

New methods, innovative thinking

According to VCCI President Pham Tan Cong, 2024 can be considered a pivotal year in implementing the resolution of the 7th VCCI Congress. Apart from traditional activities and programs, VCCI will carry out many new important activities.

VCCI will actively coordinate with the Central Economic Commission and the Central Propaganda Committee to launch the Action Program on implementation of Resolution 41-NQ/TW of the Politburo on building and promoting the role of Vietnamese entrepreneurs in the new era; actively improve membership development by enhancing the quality of professional member care and support and launching the Project on “Innovating and improving the quality of VCCI membership”.

VCCI’s coordination programs with ministries, central agencies and associations will also be boosted, particularly cooperation programs with the Central Propaganda Committee, the Ministry of Information and Communications and the Vietnam Journalists Association. VCCI will collaborate with the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics to organize a scientific workshop on Vietnamese business culture, expected to be attended by business associations and outstanding Vietnamese companies. At the same time, VCCI will hold an award ceremony in honor of outstanding businesswomen - Golden Rose Cup - on the occasion of the Vietnam Entrepreneurs Day, October 13.

In 2024, VCCI will also develop and implement the Action Program on implementation of Resolution 41/NQ-TW dated October 10, 2023 of the Politburo on building and promoting the role of Vietnamese entrepreneurs in the new era and effectively deploy the Project on “Promoting the construction of Vietnamese business culture in the 2022-2026 period”. Specifically, VCCI will continue to bolster communications and form a movement to encourage practicing six codes of business ethics among Vietnamese entrepreneurs.

As the voice of the business community, VCCI needs to further promote its role in supporting and accompanying businesses to overcome difficulties and determinedly implement effective solutions according to six key task groups and three strategic breakthroughs as stated in the resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, aiming to achieve and beat its goals and targets set for the whole term.

Mr. Cao Tuong Huy Chairman of Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee Quang Ninh province and VCCI signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to boost cooperation in improving the business investment environment and enhancing competitiveness; support businesses in the 2022 - 2025 period, effectively enforce annual Resolution 02 of the Government and Resolution 05 dated April 9, 2021 of the Quang Ninh Provincial Party Committee on promoting administrative reform, improving the business investment environment and enhancing provincial competitiveness to better support local economic and social development. To realize development goals in the 2020 - 2025 period and complete further development goals set by the Party and the State to 2030 and 2045, I hope VCCI will continue to maintain and strengthen cooperation, consensus and responsible and practical participation in executing cooperative activities with Quang Ninh province. Specifically, the two sides will need to continue carrying out tasks and solutions agreed upon in the Cooperation Program between the Quang Ninh Provincial People’s Committee and VCCI on January 20, 2022. VCCI was requested to further support and consult Quang Ninh province to adopt solutions to sustainably improve the PCI Index to strengthen its position among the best performers according to the resolution of the 15th Provincial Party Congress (2020 - 2025 term) and Decision 80/QD-TTg dated February 11, 2023 of the Prime Minister on ratification of Quang Ninh Planning in 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050. At the same time, VCCI will continue to assist Quang Ninh province in carrying out investment promotion, attracting well-branded investors and recommending leading investors to Quang Ninh province. Quang Ninh province is committed to making every effort to strongly and sustainably improve the business investment environment, enhance competitiveness and build and develop a powerful entrepreneur force according to Resolution 41-NQ/TW dated October 10, 2023 of the Politburo on building and developing Vietnamese entrepreneurs in the new era. At the same time, the province is always active and ready to create all necessary conditions in business support; improve the business investment environment and raise the PCI Index in 2024 and the following years. Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh Vice President of VCCI Moving forward, VCCI plans to intensify its efforts in fostering connections between domestic business associations and overseas Vietnamese business networks. This includes the promotion of support networks for Vietnamese businesses operating abroad. VCCI will also prioritize enhancing the quality of lawmaking and policymaking, facilitating business operations, bolstering business development support, and actively engaging in business matching activities. VCCI will continue to host events to honor and reward outstanding businesses. This includes awards such as the Golden Rose Cup for exceptional women entrepreneurs, the Best Supplier Awards, and the Top 100 CSI Awards for the most sustainable businesses. These awards will be conducted in a professional, transparent and reputable manner. Furthermore, VCCI plans to finalize and introduce regulations on rewarding businesses and entrepreneurs, and will continue to research and propose activities to support outstanding Vietnamese entrepreneurs. In alignment with the three strategic breakthroughs defined in the resolution of the 7th VCCI Congress, VCCI will focus on designing business support activities. This includes researching and implementing business support activities in digital transformation. VCCI will also develop activities and solutions to assist small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in their digital transformation journey, and create support tools for business households to digitize their administrative activities and transition into corporate entities.