VCCI Chairman Pham Tan Cong took a photo with Professor Joo Young Sup, former Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups of the Republic of Korea, Mr. Jonathan London, Senior Economic Adviser of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Vietnam and the UNDP delegation

At the VCCI headquarters, Chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Pham Tan Cong had a meeting with Professor Joo Young Sup, former Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups of the Republic of Korea, currently Chairman of the Korea Industrial Strategy Forum, and Mr. Jonathan London, Senior Economic Adviser of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Vietnam.

At the meeting, Mr. Jonathan London introduced the Vietnam Capacity Development Initiative (VCDI), a key platform initiated by UNDP to support Vietnam in the process of transforming its growth model. The initiative was developed in close collaboration between UNDP and national agencies such as the Central Economic Commission, the Government Office, the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Studies (HIDS).

The VCDI aims to strengthen strategic coordination and policy implementation capacity; support the transition to a development model based on productivity, inclusiveness and sustainability; and build a dynamic public sector that responds effectively to change.

The initiative also focuses on equipping provinces and cities with tools to lead the regional development transformation process, ensuring consistency between national strategies and practical implementation capacity, especially in areas such as energy, industry, digital transformation, green and social policy.

Notably, Professor Joo Young Sup will take on the role of key advisor to VCDI. With his experience in designing and implementing industrial strategies in Korea, he is expected to help transfer successful lessons, especially in developing small and medium enterprises, upgrading technology and coordinating between the central and local levels, to the Vietnamese context.

In addition, Professor Joo also emphasized the close relationship between Korea and Vietnam, as well as the potential for cooperation between the two countries in high-value fields, demonstrated through the Vietnamese Prime Minister's interest in Korean technology and current cooperation programs.

During the discussion, Professor Joo also proposed many specific cooperation directions between VCCI and Korean business organizations such as KCCI (Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry), KBiz (Korea Small and Medium Enterprises Association), etc. He especially emphasized the differences in the definition and scale of small and medium enterprises between the two countries; At the same time, he recommended that VCCI strengthen its coordination with KBiz to implement projects related to supporting startups and innovation in Vietnam.

According to Mr. Joo, to face global fluctuations such as the development of AI, climate change or social polarization, Vietnam needs to develop a separate industrial strategy, not simply copy models from developed countries. He emphasized the symmetry in the cooperative relationship: Korea can provide technology, while Vietnam has resources and markets.

Finally, Mr. Joo suggested that VCCI and KBiz coordinate to implement joint initiatives, taking advantage of support from UNDP to promote cooperation between businesses of the two countries, especially in the fields of technology and sustainable development. This is considered an important step in the strategy to enhance institutional capacity and competitiveness of Vietnam's private economic sector.

VCCI Chairman Pham Tan Cong works with Professor Joo Young Sup, Chairman of the Korea Industrial Strategy Forum and Mr. Jonathan London, Senior Economic Adviser of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Vietnam

Listening to the sharing from Mr. Jonathan London and recommendations from Professor Joo, VCCI Chairman Pham Tan Cong welcomed the deep interest of UNDP and Professor Joo Young Sup personally in the process of capacity development and institutional reform in Vietnam, as well as the VCDI initiative.

The VCCI Chairman believes that this is a practical cooperation platform, contributing to supporting central agencies and local authorities in planning and implementing policies more effectively.

"VCCI is ready to accompany this initiative, especially in promoting the role of the private enterprise sector - a key factor of sustainable and innovative growth", said the VCCI Chairman.

As a national organization representing the Vietnamese business community, the Chairman of VCCI said that VCCI attaches great importance to learning from international experiences, especially from successful models such as Korea. Professor Joo's participation in the VCDI initiative not only helps Vietnam access practical experiences but also opens up specific cooperation opportunities between businesses of the two countries.

Chairman of VCCI Pham Tan Cong also emphasized the importance of developing the team of entrepreneurs and the business community in the new period, in line with the major orientations of the Party and the State. Specifically, Resolution No. 41-NQ/TW dated October 10, 2023 of the Politburo on building and promoting the role of the Vietnamese business community in the new period and Resolution No. 68/Q/TW issued by the Politburo on May 4, 2025 on developing the private economy with the main content "the private economy is the most important driving force of the economy".

These are strategic orientations that demonstrate a strong determination to develop the private sector into an important driving force of the economy. VCCI Chairman Pham Tan Cong said that VCCI has been actively participating in consulting, giving opinions and organizing the implementation of tasks related to these two Resolutions, and at the same time hopes to receive support and experience sharing from international organizations such as UNDP and Korean partners.

The VCCI Chairman believes that through cooperation between VCCI and UNDP, Vietnam will contribute to perfecting institutions and enhancing local capacity, thereby creating more favorable conditions for the private sector in the new context.