Speaking at the opening of the conference, Pham Tan Cong, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), stated that the first six months of 2024 have passed with many challenges for VCCI. Despite such difficult conditions, the departments and units within the entire VCCI system have made efforts to overcome difficulties, unite as one, and have basically completed the tasks assigned in the approved plan.

On July 12, the Party Committee, Standing Committee, and Party Organization of VCCI held a conference to review the work of the first six months and to implement tasks for the last six months of the year.

At the same time, they commended the departments and units within the entire VCCI system for completing their workload in the first half of this year, with an increase of 10.88% compared to the same period last year, reaching an estimated 54.03% of the annual plan. The number of activities related to outgoing and incoming delegations, the volume of legal commentary documents, informational products serving businesses (handbooks, market newsletters, etc.), and consulting activities for businesses have increased significantly compared to the same period in 2023. This demonstrates the significant efforts of the entire VCCI system in accompanying and supporting businesses to overcome the crisis and accelerate their recovery capabilities.

Notably, some units have achieved high plan implementation results, exceeding 50%, including the International Relations Department, Legal Department, WTO and Integration Center, Small and Medium Enterprises Support Center, Ho Chi Minh City Branch, Thanh Hoa – Ninh Binh Branch, and Techsimex Company, etc.

Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairman of VCCI – Pham Tan Cong spoke at the Conference

According to Chairman Pham Tan Cong, in the first six months of the year, alongside traditional activities in the areas of International Relations, Legal Affairs, Small and Medium Enterprises, Women Entrepreneurs, Media, etc., VCCI also coordinated with the Central Propaganda Department and the Central Economic Commission to organize a national conference to disseminate and implement Resolution 41/NQ-TW of the Politburo on building and promoting the role of Vietnamese entrepreneurs in the new era.

At the same time, VCCI developed and issued an Action Program of the VCCI Party Committee to implement Resolution 41/NQ-TW. This activity not only helps to enhance the political position of VCCI but also enables VCCI units to develop programs and projects under the tasks assigned to VCCI by the Politburo in Resolution 41/NQ-TW, thereby potentially receiving financial support from state agencies and enterprises.

In addition to the aforementioned issues, sharing about some key activities for the last six months of the year, Chairman Pham Tan Cong stated that VCCI will organize several important events: the eighth meeting of the seventh VCCI Executive Committee; the forum "Media and Businesses Accompanying for a Prosperous and Happy Vietnam"; the national forum on sustainable development; the conference on tax and customs dialogue; the national conference of Vietnamese business associations; and activities to commemorate Entrepreneurs' Day on October 13th, etc.

The delegates attending the conference perform the flag salute ceremony

"The last six months of the year will continue to be a period with many challenges but also many opportunities for VCCI to continue to innovate, grow, and assert its position and role in the business community and in society. To successfully achieve all the set targets and tasks, the VCCI Standing Committee very much needs the support and active participation of the departments and units throughout the system.

I urge all VCCI staff to uphold the spirit of solidarity, innovation, and creativity to overcome all difficulties and challenges together, and to achieve new accomplishments for the country and the business community," Chairman Pham Tan Cong emphasized.

The conference also listened to detailed reports on Party work, professional work, and Trade Union work in the first six months of the year, while also outlining tasks for the last six months.

Specifically, regarding Party work, continuing to build on the achievements of 2023, Party work in the first six months of 2024 at the VCCI Party Committee has seen many positive changes, with some notable results including:

The Party Committee issued the resolution on the tasks for 2024, the work program of the Party Executive Committee, the inspection and supervision program of the Party Committee, the Party Committee's Inspection Committee, the advisory boards, and other specialized resolutions and plans. The resolutions, conclusions, directives, and regulations of the Central Committee and the Party Committee were disseminated, thoroughly understood, and effectively implemented in a timely manner. The study and following of Ho Chi Minh's ideology, ethics, and style were integrated with the execution of political tasks. The Party Committee issued resolutions and conclusions related to personnel work, directing the Party Committee Office to fully and promptly carry out other regular Party tasks. The Party committees within the VCCI Party Committee made efforts and generally executed the leadership and directives of the Party Committee well.

The VCCI Party Committee Standing Committee closely directed the rectification of limitations, shortcomings, and violations in inspection and supervision work; actively coordinated with the Party Committee in implementing inspection and supervision work; revised, supplemented, and issued the Coordination Regulation between the Party Committee and the Party Committee.

On behalf of the Party Committee, Party Organization of VCCI, and the Standing Committee, General Secretary Tran Thi Lan Anh reported on the work results of the first six months and the tasks for the last six months of the year at the Conference.

Regarding professional work, under the close leadership and direction of the Party Committee and the Standing Committee, the activities of VCCI in the first six months of the year were comprehensively implemented by the units across six key task groups according to the Resolution of VCCI's VII Congress.

The workload increased by 10.88% compared to the same period last year, reaching an estimated 54.03% of the annual plan. The number of activities related to outgoing and incoming delegations, the volume of legal commentary documents, informational products serving businesses (handbooks, market newsletters, etc.), and consulting activities for businesses increased significantly compared to the same period in 2023. This demonstrates the significant efforts of the entire VCCI system in accompanying and supporting businesses to overcome the crisis and accelerate their recovery capabilities.

Some units achieved more than 50% of their annual plan, including the International Relations Department, Legal Department, WTO and Integration Center, Small and Medium Enterprises Support Center, Ho Chi Minh City Branch, Thanh Hoa – Ninh Binh Branch, and Teshimex Company.

The work on policy and legal construction, improving the business environment, was consistently carried out, completing a large volume of work, which was recognized and highly appreciated by the National Assembly and the Government. Despite the difficulties faced by businesses, the work of developing membership continued, both in terms of new member admissions and membership fee collection. The Standing Committee's direction and administration were timely, close, and effective. Internal management work was continuously improved and gradually became more orderly. The training and fostering of staff continued to be a focus.

The management and exploitation of physical and technical facilities were maintained, ensuring safety, savings, and maximizing revenue from leasing the building under the difficult economic conditions and numerous legal obstacles faced by businesses.

Branches, representative offices, companies, and affiliated units demonstrated dynamism and creativity in developing self-balancing activities, diversifying forms of activities, and enhancing professionalism. They strengthened cooperative relationships with local authorities and businesses, proactively promoted international cooperation activities, and effectively exploited physical and technical facilities to ensure resources for activity implementation.

However, amidst the economic fluctuations and difficulties faced by businesses, there was a significant impact on VCCI's revenue-generating activities. Total financial revenue in the first six months of the year reached 32.4% of the 2024 plan, down 11.2% compared to the same period last year.

Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairman of VCCI Pham Tan Cong; Secretary of the Party Organization, Vice Chairman of VCCI Nguyen Quang Vinh; and Chairman of VCCI Trade Union Nguyen Anh Duc chaired the conference.

Regarding Trade Union work, activities were carried out across various fields such as education, encouraging union members to enhance their responsibility and strive to complete professional tasks well; protecting the rights of staff, civil servants, public employees, and workers; implementing grassroots democracy regulations; launching patriotic emulation movements, cultural, sports, and exchange activities; and performing well in gratitude work, weddings and funerals, and women's work. There was always a focus on improving the material and spiritual lives of staff members.

Some notable activities of the VCCI Trade Union in the first six months included: actively participating in activities and providing feedback on amendments to the agency's internal regulations after more than a year of implementation; sending union members to participate in sports activities celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam Public Employees' Trade Union; rewarding and giving gifts to staff members' children on International Children's Day (June 1), giving gifts to excellent students at all levels at the end of the 2023-2024 school year; contributing 20 million VND to build a gratitude house in Dien Bien province to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory according to the plan of Emulation Group No. 7; mobilizing union members to support colleagues within the organization who are unfortunately suffering from serious illnesses; introducing two outstanding union members for Party membership consideration, etc.

With its positive and effective contributions, the VCCI Trade Union was awarded a Certificate of Merit for sports activities for the period 2019-2023 by the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

The conference was attended by representatives from various ministries, central agencies, units, and staff members both in person and at online points from branches across the country.

However, alongside the positive results achieved, there were still some shortcomings in the implementation of the tasks in the first six months, such as: Party development work did not meet the set targets; although the planning work has gradually improved, it has not kept pace with practical requirements; the approval process for foreign affairs activities was still confused and not standardized in terms of procedures; etc.

The causes of these shortcomings stem from both objective and subjective reasons:

Objectively, the business operations and production of enterprises in the first months of 2024 continued to face many difficulties, with limited resources, affecting VCCI's ability to implement activities; and increasing competition in service activities.

Subjectively, the lengthy approval process for the 2024 work plan and state budget projects affected the progress of activities of the units; delays in completing legal status procedures and renewing seals for affiliated units, branches, and representative offices caused difficulties in working with local authorities, partners, and participating in project bidding; etc.

Based on the results mentioned, the conference also outlined tasks for the last six months of 2024. Regarding Party work, in the last six months of 2024, the VCCI Party Committee will focus on inspection and supervision; planning and consolidating the Party Committee; preparing for the Party Congresses at all levels towards the IX VCCI Party Congress for the 2025-2030 term and summarizing the work of 2024.

At the same time, it will continue to vigorously implement the XIII National Party Congress Resolution and the resolutions, directives, conclusions, and regulations of the Central Committee, the Party Committee of Central Agencies, and the VCCI Party Committee; effectively implement Directive 05/CT-TW of the Politburo on promoting the study and following of Ho Chi Minh's ideology, ethics, and style; and strictly implement the Central Committee's regulations and guidelines on anti-corruption.

Regarding professional work, in the last six months of 2024, VCCI needs to focus on implementing key tasks and solutions according to the 2024 work program. Specific tasks include: Promoting the implementation of resolutions of the Party, National Assembly, and Government; the VII VCCI Congress Resolution, with a focus on implementing the Action Program for Resolution 41-NQ/TW, and organizing the mid-term review conference for the implementation of the VII Congress resolution.

Maintain efficiency and improve the quality of participation in policy and legal construction, and facilitate business environment improvement. Collaborate with localities to conduct in-depth evaluations of the 2023 PCI and PGI indices. Conduct surveys and evaluations of the 2024 Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) and Provincial Green Index (PGI), and organize regional conferences on the Green Index (PGI).

Continue to enhance business development support activities towards quality and efficiency, actively implementing business and business association linkages. Implement the Politburo's resolutions on the development of socio-economic regions and organize regional and sub-regional economic linkage activities.

VCCI will also continue its efforts in developing the entrepreneurial team, promoting the construction of Vietnamese business culture, and effectively implementing the project "Promoting the construction of Vietnamese business culture for the period 2022-2026."

Strengthen trade and investment promotion activities, business training and development, and support enterprises in international integration. Organize several important annual events.

Units will actively implement activities within signed projects, especially focusing on key VCCI projects such as: the Project on Connecting the Eastern Highway Economy, the Project on Enhancing the Media Environment to Support Business Development, the Annual Report on Vietnamese Enterprises, the Project on Building National Business Culture, the scientific topic on VCCI's Membership Innovation, and the Cooperation Program between VCCI and the People's Committees of Lao Cai and Quang Ninh provinces.

Regarding Trade Union work, in addition to the regular tasks of representing, caring for, and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of union members and workers, the VCCI Trade Union will focus on some key tasks such as: Participating in Party building, continuing to disseminate the Party's guidelines and resolutions, and the State's policies and laws. Increase the introduction of outstanding union members to the Party for consideration of admission.

VCCI will also effectively implement the resolutions of the VCCI Party Congress, the VII National VCCI Congress for the 2021-2026 term, the VCCI Trade Union Congress, and the Congress of Vietnam Public Sector Trade Unions for the 2023-2028 term. The VCCI leadership will continue to innovate in content and methods, improve the effectiveness of propaganda work, ensuring flexibility, modernity, persuasiveness, and wide reach, paying attention to the application of modern technology suitable for the VCCI trade union.

VCCI will strengthen leadership and direction for affiliated trade unions and grassroots trade unions regarding union activities, increase inspection, supervision, and disciplinary measures within union ranks, and complete the 2024 inspection and supervision plan closely following the program for implementing the Trade Union Charter, policies for workers, and financial inspection at all levels.

Alongside the general report, representatives of VCCI's affiliated units also participated in discussions about actual activities and development orientations for the future at the conference.

At the conference, Nguyen Quang Vinh, Secretary of the Party Committee and Vice Chairman of VCCI, assessed that VCCI's Party work has made many positive changes and achieved results highly appreciated by various agencies and ministries.

According to Vice Chairman Nguyen Quang Vinh, the VCCI Party Standing Committee has closely directed the work of overcoming limitations, shortcomings, and violations in inspection and supervision; actively coordinated with the Party Committee in implementing inspection and supervision; revised, supplemented, and issued the coordination regulations between the Party Committee and the Party Delegation and will continue to build on the achievements made in the future.

Concluding the conference, Chairman Pham Tan Cong highly appreciated the report content and discussions at the conference and the efforts of the units in the first six months of the year. The Chairman also requested that the units continue to maintain and build upon the results achieved so far, actively address existing issues, and aim for greater results in the future.

According to GIA NGUYEN - Photos by QUOC TUAN (Business Forum Magazine)