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

VCCI President Pham Tan Cong met with Mr. Jonathan London, Senior Economic Advisor of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Vietnam, and Professor Joo Young Sup, former Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups of Korea and current Chairman of the Korea Industrial Strategy Forum, at the VCCI headquarters.

During the meeting, Mr. Jonathan presented the Vietnam Capacity Development Initiative (VCDI), which was launched by the UNDP to help Vietnam change its growth model. The UNDP and many Vietnamese government agencies, including the Government Office, the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, and the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Studies (HIDS),... worked closely together to develop this initiative.

VCDI is designed to improve strategic coordination and policy implementation capabilities, facilitate the transition to a growth model based on productivity, inclusiveness, and sustainability, and create a dynamic public sector that adapts effectively to change.

This initiative also aims to provide provinces and cities with tools to lead the regional development transformation process, ensuring alignment between national strategy and practical capacity, particularly in energy, industry, digital transformation, and green and social policy.

Notably, Professor Joo Young Sup will serve as a key advisor to VCDI. He is anticipated to use his skills to assist in conveying successful lessons to Vietnam, particularly in SME development, technology innovation, and collaboration between central and local governments.

Professor Joo also noted Korea and Vietnam's close relationship, as well as the potential for collaboration in high-value industries, as evidenced by the Vietnamese Prime Minister's interest in Korean technology and present cooperation programs.

During the meeting, Professor Joo offered numerous specific collaboration directions between VCCI and Korean business organizations such as KCCI (Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry) and KBiz (Korea Federation of Small and Medium Businesses). He also suggested that VCCI strengthen its collaboration with KBiz to carry out programs aimed at promoting innovative start-ups in Vietnam.

Mr. Joo believes that in order to handle global concerns such as artificial intelligence, climate change, and social division, Vietnam must build its own industrial strategy rather than merely copying examples from other countries. He stated that Korea will give technology, while Vietnam would supply resources and markets.

VCCI President Pham Tan Cong praised UNDP and Professor Joo Young Sup for their deep interest in Vietnam's capacity development and institutional reform processes, as well as the VCDI. "This is a practical cooperation that will help central and local governments plan and implement policies more effectively," said VCCI President, adding that VCCI is ready to support this initiative, particularly in promoting the role of the private sector as a key factor in sustainable growth and innovation.

The VCCI President stated that the organization attaches great importance to learning from international experiences, particularly successful models such as Korea. Professor Joo's participation in the VCDI not only provides Vietnam with practical expertise, but it also opens up potential for cooperation between the two countries' enterprises.

Mr. Pham Tan Cong further stressed the necessity of strengthening the entrepreneurs and business community in the new context, in accordance with the major orientations of the Vietnam Party and the State. Specifically, the Politburo's Resolution No. 41-NQ/TW dated October 10, 2023 on creating and promoting the role of the Vietnamese business community in the new period, as well as Resolution No. 68/Q/TW dated May 4, 2025 on developing the private sector.

These are strategic orientations that indicate Vietnam's strong commitment to developing the private sector into a major economic driver. "VCCI has been actively participating in consulting and organizing the implementation of tasks related to these two Resolutions, while receiving support and experience from international organizations such as UNDP and Korean partners" , said Mr. Pham Tan Cong.

The VCCI President believes that by collaborating with UNDP, Vietnam will improve institutional reform and local capabilities, generating more favorable conditions for the private sector in the new setting.