On the occasion of VCCI’s anniversary (April 27), Business Forum Magazine spoke with Mr. Đỗ Văn Vẻ, Chairman of the Hưng Yên Business Association, about VCCI’s role in enhancing competitiveness and supporting local enterprises.

Mr. Đỗ Văn Vẻ, Chairman of the Hưng Yên Business Association, in an interview with Business Forum Magazine (Photo: Vũ Phường)

- On the occasion of VCCI’s 63rd anniversary, how do you assess its role in connecting businesses, promoting investment, and especially helping enterprises remove institutional and policy bottlenecks in recent years?

VCCI is not only a bridge but also a “friend” and a “protector” of the legitimate rights of entrepreneurs in the international arena. For businesses in Hưng Yên, this role is clearly reflected through well-structured investment promotion activities, helping enterprises access international markets and find strategic partners; supporting them in improving governance capacity, accessing free trade agreements (FTAs), and particularly enhancing the province’s PCI ranking.

I also highly appreciate VCCI’s advisory capacity to the Government. Efforts to implement key resolutions have created major breakthroughs. VCCI has promptly listened to real-world challenges and proposed the reduction and simplification of regulations related to business activities.

This not only facilitates market entry for private enterprises but also creates a favorable legal framework for digital transformation, positioning technology as a “key” to improving productivity and adaptability in the new context.

- The Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) has become a “barometer” of the business environment. In your view, how has it impacted administrative reform at the local level?

It can be said that PCI has been a powerful driver of provincial governance reform. Through its annual analysis and publication, VCCI has compelled local authorities to face realities, self-assess, and adjust their administrative systems.

In Hưng Yên and many other provinces, PCI has created healthy competition to improve investor confidence. Administrative procedures have been streamlined, transparency has increased, and the government’s approach toward businesses has shifted fundamentally from “management” to “partnership”.

VCCI has been highly successful in turning seemingly dry figures into real reform pressure, helping reduce informal costs and create a more transparent and fair business environment.

Leaders of Hưng Yên province present the Phố Hiến Cup to enterprises with outstanding contributions to the locality

- What expectations and recommendations does the Hưng Yên Business Association have for VCCI in the coming period to strengthen the business community?

We expect VCCI to continue strongly upholding its role as an independent and objective policy advocacy body. In the context of global economic volatility, VCCI needs to stay even closer to reality to propose breakthrough mechanisms to the central authorities, the Government, and ministries, especially in emerging areas such as the green economy and digital economy, as well as policies on tax, fees, and interest rate support to help businesses overcome the current global energy challenges.

We also recommend that VCCI continue to act as a leading force in consolidating the voices of local business associations so that the private sector is heard in all law-making processes. At the same time, we hope VCCI will further strengthen training programs on modern governance and digital transformation skills for SMEs, as many businesses in Hưng Yên have strong aspirations but still lack technological capabilities.

At the local level, the Hưng Yên Business Association is committed to continuing as an “extended arm” of VCCI, faithfully conveying the voice of enterprises. We believe that with VCCI’s support, entrepreneurs in Hưng Yên will overcome all barriers and confidently expand regionally and globally.

- Thank you very much