That was the direction of VCCI Vice Chairman Hoang Quang Phong at the recent conference reporting on the work in 2024 and deploying the tasks in 2025 of the Eastern Expressway Sub-region Business Council.

VCCI Vice Chairman Hoang Quang Phong 

Maintaining development

In December 2023, the Eastern Highway Sub-regional Business Council was established. The Eastern Highway Sub-regional Business Council is an agency connecting businesses and business associations in the Eastern Highway Sub-regional to promote economic development and the business community in the region. The Council has the function of advising and consulting the Vietnam Eastern Highway Economic Corridor (VEHEC) in giving opinions and proposals to local authorities to build mechanisms and policies for economic and business development in the region.

Mr. Pham Van The - Chairman of the Eastern Highway Sub-regional Business Council

The Council is responsible for gathering opinions, studying the current situation, proposing programs and activities related to businesses and entrepreneurs in the area. Coordinate with functional agencies of the 4 localities and VCCI to implement activities related to promoting the development of the team of entrepreneurs and businesses in the area. At the same time, proactively support the formation of business links and business associations in the region, effectively exploit the potential and strengths of localities to enhance the competitiveness of businesses by industry and business field.

The Council will receive and reflect opinions and recommendations of businesses in the region to the leaders of the 4 localities and VCCI. Coordinate and advise authorities at all levels to build and form information and coordination mechanisms to build a favorable and safe trade and investment environment in the region.

Overview of the conference

Develop and implement activities to participate in socio-economic development of localities according to the policies and orientations of the provincial and municipal Party Committees, People's Councils and authorities of the provinces and cities in the sub-region.

VCCI Vice Chairman Hoang Quang Phong said: “In 2024, in order to promptly remove all difficulties for businesses in the face of natural disasters and fluctuations in the world economy, the leaders of the four provinces and cities have coordinated to organize meetings to quickly propose solutions to overcome the consequences, determined to maintain positive growth momentum for the localities. However, in reality, local businesses as well as localities have not effectively promoted development linkages, activities have only stopped at exchanges, leading to sporadic cooperation. In 2025, we will continue to maintain the development of members of the Eastern Highway Sub-regional Business Council and businesses on the expressway. In addition, we must strive to build a solid foundation, create a legal "framework" and develop for businesses. On the other hand, remove bottlenecks in the production and business activities of businesses, creating favorable conditions for businesses peace of mind to develop production and business.

Mr. Phi Trong Duc - Acting Director of VCCI Northern Coastal Branch pledged to seriously implement the instructions from VCCI

“Enterprises need to connect and build the Eastern Highway sub-region to become a destination for big “eagles”. We will propose contents related to legality, development mechanisms, capital sources; directly assign work to associations in localities to quickly stabilize, link production and business effectively, contributing to making the Eastern Expressway economic sub-region soon become the leading multi-sector, multi-field economic center, logistics, tourism... in the country. VCCI always accompanies provinces and cities in implementing business development programs, accompanying businesses in development”, Mr. Hoang Quang Phong added.

Mr. Pham Van The - Chairman of the Eastern Highway Sub-region Business Council said: "We hope that in the coming time, the associations will connect and help each other, and take turns so that all members can participate equally. At the same time, we hope that members of the provinces and cities will connect with each other in a united and mutually developing manner, contributing to promoting the equal development between localities in the highway axis".

Continue to connect and link

At the conference reporting on the work in 2024 and deploying the tasks in 2025 of the Eastern Highway Sub-region Business Council, the enterprises and members of the council participating in the conference basically agreed with the content presented. At the same time, they contributed some ideas to develop the council's activities in the coming time, achieving higher efficiency.

Delegates speaking at the conference

Mr. Mai Van Sy - Vice Chairman of Hai Phong Tourism Association shared: “The role of sub-regions needs to solve the problems of closely linking development between enterprises, between localities and localities. Sub-regional organizations must reconsider the establishment of sub-regional support committees, grasp the details of each local activity to promptly resolve difficulties. At the same time, there must be the participation of large enterprises to help small enterprises go in the right direction. We must choose key, core issues to solve quickly and effectively, clearly promoting the combined strength of regional linkages”.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Ha – Chairman of Hung Yen Provincial Business Association shared: “In the past year, the council has organized many activities. However, we must evaluate whether the activities have been effective and practical for businesses or not. Enterprises, especially small and medium enterprises, all want to soon have solutions and policies on site clearance, land support, and capital sources for businesses to operate effectively. In addition, provinces and cities must list their strengths to jointly orient and link for more effective and efficient development.

Delegates are taking souvenir photos

Sharing the same view, Ms. Dao Thi Kim Ngan - Vice Chairman of the Council, Chairman of the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises of Hai Phong City said: “In my opinion, it is time for us to expand opportunities for businesses and associations to participate in the activities of the council. In 2025, we will continue to support businesses in training, trade promotion, market connection, and protection of legitimate rights and interests for businesses. We are ready to cooperate with provinces and cities in this work. At the same time, we suggest that associations connect with commercial banks to create conditions for businesses to access capital for development. We hope that in the coming time, when the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises of Hai Phong City is established, it will connect small and medium enterprises to develop together”.

Mr. Hoang Van Anh - Co-Chairman of the Eastern Highway Sub-regional Business Council, Head of the VCCI Membership Affairs Committee said: “In the coming time, there needs to be discussions to implement specific, breakthrough resolutions, linking the association's activities with VCCI, especially in market promotion and human resource training activities... Such discussions will change the mindset, improve production, business and management capacity for business owners”. 

Mr. Phi Trong Duc - Acting Director of VCCI Northern Coastal Branch shared that in the past time, the branch has tried to seriously promote the VCCI's instructions. In the immediate future, the branch will closely coordinate with associations to clearly promote its role. The branch also hopes that VCCI leaders will pay attention, discuss and remove difficulties and proposals of businesses. If in the coming time, proposals on mechanisms, policies and resources are resolved, it will clearly promote the economic activities of localities in the Eastern Highway Economic Sub-region.