Entrepreneurs - Backbone of the economy

Mr. Pham Tan Cong, President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), stated: “Entrepreneurs are the backbone of the economy, and they are the key players in shaping the national business culture. Their role has been elevated to a strategic level in Resolution 41.”

Resolution 41-NQ/TW reflects a strong commitment to developing Vietnam's entrepreneurial class, recognizing them as a core force in driving industrialization, modernization, and building an independent, self-reliant economy. The resolution emphasizes the creation of a business environment that is not only conducive but also safe and equitable. Without safety, businesses will hesitate to invest. Additionally, if favorable conditions are only provided to large enterprises or foreign businesses while local businesses are neglected, sustainable economic development will not be achieved.

To this end, three key goals must be achieved: building a strong entrepreneurial workforce, creating an equitable business environment, and fostering a unified business culture within the Vietnamese business community. This requires a clear national strategy for training and developing entrepreneurs, as well as legal frameworks to institutionalize the Party's policies. Many good policies in the past were not institutionalized in a timely manner, resulting in poor implementation.

VCCI President said that VCCI will lead the development and implementation of business conduct codes and ethics, aiming to establish values and standards for Vietnam's business culture. The goal is to form a leading group of entrepreneurs, managing major enterprises with international competitiveness while embodying ethics and business culture.

“VCCI will also collaborate with ministries, local governments, and business associations to implement the resolution, while overseeing and encouraging the execution process. One important strategy is the development of international training programs, in partnership with global counterparts, to enhance the leadership capacity of Vietnamese entrepreneurs. The target for the next five years is to train at least 500 top executives, 5,000 next-generation business leaders, and approximately 200,000 personnel for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs),” added Cong.

CSI – A tool for measuring sustainable business

The Program on Benchmarking and Announcing Sustainable Companies (CSI program) is an initiative in the implementation of Resolution 41. The program’s goal is not only to evaluate economic efficiency but also to measure environmental and social responsibility factors. CSI has become an essential tool for businesses to assess and improve their sustainable development strategies while providing opportunities to align with international standards.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh, VCCI Vice President, Chairman of Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development (VBCSD), said that participating in the CSI, businesses will be assessed on their ability to create long-term value, manage natural resources and contribute to the community and workers. This approach boosts economic performance while promoting social development and environmental protection.

The CSI program and Resolution 41 lay a solid foundation for the development of Vietnamese entrepreneurs and help the country achieve its sustainable development goals and international integration. As a result, the Vietnamese business community will not only serve as the driving economic force domestically, but will also solidify Vietnam’s position on the global stage.